CBR15Bingo: Sex (a lot of this book revolves around issues caused by sex)
I found out about this book through Jo Walton’s monthly roundup of the books she reads, which I always enjoy. It’s fascinating seeing what goes into the mind of a favorite author, and she’s always reading things I’ve never heard of. I’m not usually a mystery person, but the plot and concept behind this one seemed interesting, so I picked it up.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late follows Rabbi David Small, the rabbi of a Conservative congregation in a small New England town. He is very scholarly and focused on halacha, while his congregation is more interested in assimilation and performance, although they are good people and not necessarily shallow. The tension between Rabbi Small’s more traditional views and his desire to study and integrate Jewish law into modern life with the congregation’s desire for a rabbi who reflects their point of view and is more seemingly normal was a real highlight of this book for me. I thought it captured the struggle of the Conservative movement really well and it was very interesting to read this from the 1960s and then compare it to where the movement is right now. That struggle or tension between a rabbinate that is religious practice oriented and a congregation that can be more focused on culture and lifestyle is one that is ongoing and has had lasting consequences.
While I was clearly focused on the religious history aspect, the other main thrust of the book is the murder and and Rabbi Small using his Talmudic, logical mind to help solve it. The mystery part of the book was less compelling to me, but a lot of that is probably due to me not being that into mysteries in general. They just don’t click with me in terms of making me feel like I want to find out what happens. The characterization was good overall and I liked the New England setting. The relationship between Rabbi Small and the police chief was also well done and thoughtfully portrayed, as Rabbi Small enlightens him as to the differences between Christianity and Judaism. Personally, I wouldn’t read another one of these, but it was a useful historical document and one I’m glad I did try. Sometimes it’s good to go a bit out of the reading comfort zone!
Warnings for: murder, antisemitism, sexism