BS"D

Gold's title intrigues me. As one who was formerly (for the last 40 years at least) self-identified as an orthodox Jew by association and practice I must say that the title could not be more appropriate. If Gold wanted to get the attention of any serious orthodox Jew by the allegation made by his title he got mine. The fact that the world's ONLY monotheistic religion based upon FREEDOM could have somehow transmogrified into some systematic form of bondage is tantamount to a charge of idolatry IMHO - service to a false god - bondage to a lie. I will definitely take a look at this work to see if the content has any merit with regard to the title.

As a side note, I have always enjoyed Neusner's objective "liberal" approach to History, Rabbinic Scholarship, and Jewish Philosophy and Religion. Even when he "ruffles my feathers." I may be on the opposite side of the "faith" spectrum from him but his work has never failed to challenge my mind and earn my appreciation as a scholar.

I have seen articles and ads in many  Jewish magazines for secular hagadahs and books extolling all sorts of things about all kinds of Jewish practices.  This is really no different.

The people who want to read the book will likely be people who already believe some of the stuff and want to see if it is validated in print.  They are welcome to it.  I wont be reading it because it is not a subject of particular interest to me.

As for a magazine taking the money for the ad-I believe they would see it as a freedom of speech thing and take the money.

I am sure the author and publisher and the bookstores are thrilled with getting free ads like this!(LOL)

Hugs,
Laura