The author examines Jesus’s teaching and behavior through the context of Jewish culture and rabbinic teaching in Jesus’s time. Many texts thus have a new interpretation that I have been unfamiliar with before. I find it very interesting and inspiring. I think it’s a valuable resource in understanding Jesus better, so after finishing the book I purchased the two others in the series as well.

My favorite chapter is the one on how it was common rabbinic practice to teach through presenting paradox, and what Jesus taught through his presentation of paradoxes. The discussion on how to resolve ethical situations in which God’s commandments seem to clash with one another is eye-opening and persuasive. ( )

Author Lois Tverberg offers insights into Jesus' words by examining in the social context of the first century Middle East. In this particular book she looks at how Jesus' audience would understand the words He spoke to them. Our pastor frequently provides insights of this nature, and finding an author who offers similar insights presents a bonus. I want to read some of her other books as well as some of the books she cited in the text or notes. ( )

Title: Walking in the Dust or Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change your Life
Author: Lois Tverberg
Pages: 240
Year: 2012
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Lois’s books, in case you have never read one, are funny, inspiring and educating. Lois helps those who love Jesus understand Him in the land and time He came to earth. From there, the chasm between Western thought and understanding to Jewish life and thought begins to close. One thing I observed is Western thought is separated into different segments whereas Jewish thought/life is so woven together that one cannot see where Jewish life, thought, etc. begins or ends. The other observation is that there is deeper truth to discover about God, the Word, Israel and her people, which gives me a thrill learning and spending time with God.
There are times I would burst out laughing at the way Lois describes a goof she made, or word picture to describe a truth. Another observation fact is the deeper truths go when reading the book with a friend and discussing the material. For me, it tends to remain better in my heart and mind in the process. While Lois’s education is impressive to say the least, she writes humbly, inspirationally, and very down to earth. Please understand this is not an academic endeavor for her, but really seeking to understand the Rabbi Jesus in all His Jewishness.
For those who seek to grow closer to the Master, here is just one of the books Lois offers to help guide them on a path she remains on to this day. In other words, walking in the dust of Rabbi Jesus. Come and walk along with us. You will never regret it! Shalom!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )

I was really looking forward to reading this book. It’s the sequel of sorts to a previous book by the same author, "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus", which I loved. The point of both books is to enlighten the reader with things from a historically Jewish perspective, giving new meaning to the text that we “Western-minded” might not have seen or understood before by putting things in the historical context of what it would mean for the Jews during the days of Christ. Frankly, the first book blew me away. I loved it. So I was expecting great things from its successor.

This book, "Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus", focused more on linguistics than the first book. It discussed the roots of certain words and the history they had in the context of Jewish laws and traditions. It explained from a Jewish perspective that when Christ spoke certain things, there was much more to the meaning than what we would see just from the English translation we read today. I found the book interesting and enlightening, but it didn’t blow me a way as much as the first book. I’m not sure if it’s because of the digging into the words and their meanings is more academic, or just that the first book enlightened me to such a new world that it left such a profound impression on me.

I would rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I definitely would recommend it to others. ( )

Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change You by Lois Tverberg was a thought-provoking read. Author Tverberg has spent years studying the Jewish culture of the first century into which Jesus was born, lived, and died. She learned Hebrew and Greek and poured over the words of Jesus in the four gospels. She read the rabbinical works of first century rabbis as well as explanations and traditions from later rabbis. She explains obscure sayings of Jesus such as "single eye" and "if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off" as normal rabbinical expressions. Ms. Tverberg also ties in the corresponding Old Testament passages that illuminate Jesus' sayings and words. Jesus would often cite one passage, assuming the hearer would also remember the adjacent passage as well.

The insights from Jesus' Jewish background greatly enhances anyone's understanding of Christianity. For Christians, the new perspective is inspirational and provides as much additional insight as stereoscopic vision provides over monocular vision. ( )