Pizza with a Rabbi: A Stroll Through Traditional Judaism

By Robert Shemin and Rabbi Pinchas Taylor

Pizza With A Rabbi is a fresh outlook on what it means to be Jewish
New York Times bestselling Author Robert Shemin combines forces with Rabbi Pinchas Taylor to shed light into some of the common Orthodox Jewish Religious practices!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9780990451013

Book preview

Authors

Introduction

What does it mean to be Jewish? I wasn’t quite sure until I had several enlightening discussions with Rabbi Pinchas Taylor while hanging out in the local pizza shop.

You see, even though I have a Jewish heritage, I didn’t observe many of the traditions of this religion growing up, and I still don’t today. That said, life had finally led me onto a spiritual path by the time I’d met Rabbi Taylor, which made me curious to know: What is being Jewish all about?

I met Rabbi Pinchas through a mutual friend after I’d heard a lot about him and his deep and engaging delivery of Judaism. To be candid, I initially wasn’t keen on getting together with him. I had a vision of him wanting me to become religious. I actually dodged his phone calls, making lots of excuses. My life is busy, so that was easy.

When I finally agreed to meet, I was surprised how he didn’t fit the profile of what I’d imagined a rabbi to be. Young, warm, and welcoming, he was easy to talk to and clearly very smart.

I was brought up Jewish and went to Hebrew school, but my religious affiliation pretty much ended after my Bar Mitzvah. Skeptical about religion, I dabbled in several, but I still kept a connection to Judaism. While growing up in Nashville in the Bible belt, I had lot of friends who were Christian. I admit, I was a little embarrassed that I couldn’t answer all their questions about Judaism. Sure, I’d go to services on the high holy days, but I wasn’t religious by any means.

I’m still not religious. But I’ve become even more curious over the years! That’s why I wanted to sit down with Rabbi Taylor to finally ask and understand what it really means to be Jewish.

He first invited me to spend Shabbat dinner with his family. Before long, I would see that he does what he preaches and walks the walk. With so much hypocrisy and cynicism in this world, it was refreshing to see him treating others the way he says we should.

I was also taken with his honesty in answering my questions. So finally we set out to do exactly that. And what better way than to do it than over a slice of pizza! Who better to ask than a pro—Rabbi Pinchas Taylor, whose influence has spread far and wide through his lectures and books. (You can read more about him in About the Authors.)

Rabbi Taylor comes from the Chabad-Lubavitch tradition of Judaism, a major movement within mainstream Judaism. Founded in Russia, its philosophy is based on the teachings of the Chassidic movement of the 18th century. (Please keep in mind that his comments reflect this Chassidic view, which is Orthodox Judaism, the most traditional.)

Following the Holocaust, Chabad became a worldwide movement under the direction of its Rebbe (spiritual leader) Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. It sought to care for the spiritual and material needs of Jews in every location, thus inspiring the expression wherever there is Coca-Cola, there is Chabad.

This book results from Rabbi Taylor’s answers to my questions about the Jewish faith and traditions as discussed over pizza. (Yes, the pizza was kosher and, like me, you’ll soon understand what that means.) I hope they clear up any misconceptions you have about this religion as they have for me. If not, come hang out with us.

There’s lots of room for more at the pizza shop.

– Robert Shemin

Chapter 1

Why Keep the Sabbath?

Robert: Rabbi Taylor, as I understand it, the Jewish Sabbath extends from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. Is this correct?

Rabbi: Almost. We keep it a little bit later than sundown on Saturday, until nightfall—specifically, until three medium-sized stars are visible in the night sky.

Robert: What does it mean to keep the Sabbath? What’s the main reason to do so and what advantage does keeping it provide for Jews?

Rabbi: That period, that day—Shabbos or the Sabbath—provides an opportunity to disconnect from the physical world, from the grind of life, the hustle and bustle. It’s a time to reconnect with G-d and the spiritual realm and reaffirm G-d’s involvement in our lives. We spend most of our lives in go mode and much of it on autopilot.

That means people, especially modern people, typically don’t take time to think deeply or cultivate anything meaningful within. That includes cultivating our connection with G-d,