Sunday the Rabbi Stayed Home cover art

Sunday the Rabbi Stayed Home

A Rabbi Small Mystery, Book 3

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Sunday the Rabbi Stayed Home

By: Harry Kemelman
Narrated by: George Guidall
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About this listen

As Passover approaches, Rabbi Small contends with infighting, backstabbing, and an actual murder in this New York Times bestseller

As Rabbi David Small’s 5-year contract winds down at the synagogue in Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts, some members of the congregation are plotting to remove him; others are whispering about starting a new temple of their own across the street. When the rabbi gets an invitation to perform Passover services at a local university, he’s eager to get away from the bickering and spend a few days on campus. But instead of peace and enlightenment, he finds a murder wrapped up in drug deals and racial tensions.

From tuned-out hippies to political zealots, the college is full of potential suspects. Once again it’s up to the rabbi to draw on his deductive skills to solve the case—and avoid getting sucked into the bitter culture war—before the killer strikes again.

©1969 Harry Kemelman (P)1998 Recorded Books Mystery
All stars
Most relevant
I wasn’t as enamoured of the murder/mystery aspect of this story, but still fascinated by the new things that I’m learning about the Jewish lifestyle and Judaism.

The characters are funny and fascinating (just by being themselves) and Miriam is incredibly long suffering!

Good, not great

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Just loving these books. The logical arguments and the clever and witty plots combined with believable characters. Brilliant.

Brilliant

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Rabbi David Small is not the most "clubbable" of men! His congregation are always hoping to replace him, and the government of the "Temple" of Barnard's Crossing is usually loaded towards the most worldly and cynical males in the district. Kemelman presents an unsentimental view of Judaism in late 20th c USA. Temple membership is as costly as joining a golf club - no welcome for the poor, no outreach towards the less fortunate - being Jewish in Barnard's Crossing is a class thing. Like any golf club, the politics are deadly. David Small has a clear idea of his job, and it's not to be the puppet of whichever layperson has been recently elected president of the board...

The Rabbi, misunderstood, annoying but wise.

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I am most fascinated by this series; even if it was written 50 years ago politics, the war between Israel and Palistinians, antisemitism etc haven't changed. Some passages are downright proohetic.
Furthermore, I am learning so many fascinating facts about Judaism in general and the role of a Rabbi in particular.
The speaker makes it to a perfect listening.

Brilliant

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It's a whodunit with a congregation of blow hards and a resolution from a quiet voice of education, critical thinking and faith.

The narrator's voice is like melted chocolate.

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