Recent popes have repeatedly reminded Catholics of their faith's roots in Judaism and have called for a deeper understanding not only of this heritage but also of the Jewish people with whom it is shared. Father Démann, who was born a Jew, here provides an introduction to the richness of the Jewish faith. He starts with the Christian view of Israel's destiny and then moves to an outline of the history of Jewish-Christian relations over the centuries. A chapter sketching in the background of Israel’s history is followed by a description of Judaism as it is today after the sufferings of World War II. Father Démann then examines the main lines of Jewish doctrine including the conception of the one unique God, the Covenant, the Messianic hope, the expectation of the Kingdom, the observance of the Law and the religion of the Torah. A further chapter covers not only the liturgy of the synagogue but also the origin and significance of the religious rites and holy days - the Sabbath Yom Kippur, Purim, Chanuccah - which form such a prominent feature of the religious life of the Jewish family. A final chapter discusses the mystical trends represented by the Cabbalah and Chasidism. A glossary of key Hebrew terms completes the book.