The Rabbi’s Daughter, by Reva Mann is a book I found difficult to read due to its unappealing content (my opinion).

It is theoretically a book of discovery, redemption and search for spirituality within a framework of what the author sees as oppression and lack of self-esteem. Mann’s life is defined in many facets, from her explicit sexual encounters, and sexual addiction, to her using of drugs, to her marital failings.

Mann is the daughter of a highly respected Rabbi, and the granddaughter of the head of the Rabbinic Counsel of Israel. Her childhood was an unhappy one, and she felt that she had to tow the religious mark, or suffer the consequences from her father, and suffer them from who she perceives as an uncaring mother. She did not agree with her father’s ethics, religious responsibilities, or, from her/Mann’s perspective, her mother’s self-absorbed way of being.

It is fine to disagree with your parents, but Mann doesn’t seem to acknowledge that her father did what he knew best, from how he was brought up by his own parents (which doesn’t make him right, yet doesn’t make him wrong). He continued the cycle of his own history, and then came along Mann who wasn’t willing to conform or adhere to her family’s religious foundation and life style.

Her journey to find self-acceptance, identity and to find a spiritual foundation has her crossing many boundaries. She writes vividly about these events and escapades, and that is what turned me off, and led me to want to finish the book as quickly as possible, in order to be done with it. I skimmed over much of the sexual material, because I had no need to read about her involvements in a graphic manner. Some individuals don’t mind the types of details that are within the pages of The Rabbi’s Daughter, but I didn’t enjoy reading them.

Some of the events in the book seemed as if they were exaggerated, or superficial, but that is just my opinion, and not necessarily a reflection of the fact that they were actually over-extended.

On the whole it is a memoir written with clarity and detailed word images. Mann’s The Rabbi’s Daughter is possibly a good book to read for those that are having difficulty with self-esteem, and identifying their spirituality, and what is best for them in that respect. Judaism has many outlets for Torah study, and religious satisfaction, and in the end, Reva Mann seemingly found her niche, spiritually. It is also a book that those who are involved in addiction, whether it be sexual, drug, alcohol, or otherwise, might be able to garner some reflection from, as they could possibly relate to the experiences of the author.

I could not relate to any portion of the book, in any aspect. I also did not feel empathy or sympathy for the author.

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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
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Sunday February 15, 2009 – 21st of Sh’vat, 5769