Morality for Muggles: Ethics in the Bible and the World of Harry Potter
Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg has crafted a free-flowing work that seamlessly overlaps popular modern literature with timeless and authentic Jewish values. Hopefully, children and adults alike will be drawn in by their love of Harry Potter, only to be exposed to another Jewish world even more magical in nature. --Rabbi Steven Burg, International Director, National Council of Synagogue YouthWith added input from some of his fifth-to seventh-grade students, a rabbi and private-school teacher reflects on values in the Harry Potter series and finds parallels in the Torah and Talmud.Taking life s eternal questions as his purview ( Sorry, not witchcraft and magic wands ), Rosenberg begins with personal behaviors ( Breaking the Rules, Manners ) and broadens the perspective as he goes to, ultimately, Death, Good and Evil and Love. He makes comparisons throughout between Harry s breaking rules for need, not fun and Elijah s technically illegal showdown with the prophets of Ba al on Mount Carmel; between the trios of Harry, Ron and Hermione and Moses, Aaron and Miriam; the bittersweet repentances of Snape and of David. They are only sometimes a little stretched and, except when he discounts the racist overtones some readers perceive in Rowling s house elves (but does rebuke her for her treatment of the gnomes), clearly reasoned overall. Closing with 20 pages of generally engaging student essays ( Even though what Harry did was a little braver, what Moses did was a little more sensible ) and a gathering of specific Bible references, the author gently eases even less contemplative readers into considering, as one chapter head puts it, What Really Matters.Similar elements drawn from distinctly disparate sources, presented with a beguiling blend of good humor and serious intent. --Kirkus Reviews (reviewed on October 15, 2011)