A Man's Responsibility: A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and a Leader »

A provocative look at how a new generation of Jewish men can grow spiritually, and in doing so, strengthen the intangible bonds of family, love, duty, and truth which ultimately lead to God. It unearths the male stereotypes that exist in Judaism and color our expectations for what it means to be a Jewish man in today's world. It examines Jewish sources that reveal the traditional life cycle of a man-from son to partner in marriage to father-and in doing so uncovers the ideals that define being a Jewish man. It also views Jewish men within the context of a sacred community and what that means for the sacred obligations of manhood.

Publishers Weekly

Meszler, rabbi of a Reform congregation in Sharon, Mass., has been interested in the role of men in Judaism since he first led a men's study group as a newly ordained rabbi. This book is based on his experiences with such groups, mingled with modern psychology and Jewish teaching. He devotes a chapter each to Jewish men as sons, fathers and marriage partners, the term he prefers to "husband" since it reflects his belief that men and women ought to be equal and balanced in marriage. He argues persuasively that the roles of Jewish men can be greatly enhanced when hackneyed conventions yield to contemporary demands without abandoning basic Jewish tradition. Meszler concludes with two thoughtful chapters on the roles of men in the synagogue and in the Jewish community. He acknowledges what he calls the problem of "male flight" and recognizes that synagogues need to do more to persuade men to accept social responsibility within the Jewish community while maintaining their engagement in more general causes. Each chapter ends with a useful series of provocative questions. (Sept.)

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Preface vii Acknowledgments xiii
1 Generations 1
2 Beyond Portnoy 11
3 Growing Up and Being a Son 31
4 Growing Up and Being a Partner in Marriage 57
5 Growing Up and Being a Father 91
6 A Man within a Sacred Community 123
7 The Mitzvot of Manhood 145 Notes 159 Suggestions for Further Reading 169