Who is the author of 'Kaddish. com'?

The author of 'Kaddish. com' is Nathan Englander.

What are the main themes in 'Kaddish. com'?

The main themes in 'Kaddish. com' include Religious History, Contemporary Fiction, Literature, Spirituality and Religion.

What genre is 'Kaddish. com'?

'Kaddish. com' is categorized as Literature, Spirituality and Religion.

What is the central theme of 'Kaddish.com'?

The central theme of 'Kaddish.com' by Nathan Englander revolves around the struggle with Jewish identity, faith, and the complexities of grief and mourning. The novel explores how traditions can be both a source of comfort and a burden, particularly as the protagonist confronts his own beliefs and responsibilities when faced with the death of his father. The story raises questions about the intersection of modern life and heritage, as well as the personal implications of communal rituals.

Who is the main character in 'Kaddish.com' and what are his struggles?

The main character in 'Kaddish.com' is an Israeli man named Larry. He faces the struggle of reconciling his identity as a secular Jew with the expectations and traditions of his Jewish heritage, particularly in light of his father's death. Larry grapples with feelings of guilt, loss, and the pressures of fulfilling the religious obligations associated with mourning, including reciting the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead. His journey explores themes of faith, obligation, and the complexities of family relationships.

How does the concept of mourning play a role in the story?

In 'Kaddish.com', mourning plays a central role as it explores themes of grief, memory, and the Jewish mourning practices. The protagonist, who is grappling with the death of his father, is confronted with the expectations of saying Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead, which underscores his struggles with identity, faith, and familial obligations. The story examines how mourning can be both a personal and communal experience, highlighting the tensions between maintaining traditions and the complexities of modern life. Mourning serves as a catalyst for the protagonist's journey, pushing him to confront his past, his relationship with his father, and what it means to honor a loved one after their death.

What is the significance of the Kaddish prayer in the narrative?

In 'Kaddish.com' by Nathan Englander, the Kaddish prayer serves as a central motif that underscores themes of faith, loss, and identity. The narrative explores the complexities of mourning within Jewish tradition, where the Kaddish is recited in memory of the deceased, signifying the bond between life and death. The protagonist's struggle to recite the Kaddish for his father while navigating modern life, secularism, and his own estrangement from religious practices emphasizes the tension between personal belief and communal obligation. The prayer symbolizes not only a connection to heritage and family but also the weight of grief and the search for meaning in the face of mortality.

In what ways does the author address the conflict between tradition and modernity in the book?

In 'Kaddish.com', Nathan Englander explores the conflict between tradition and modernity through the protagonist's struggle with Jewish rituals and cultural expectations after the death of his father. The main character, who is more aligned with a secular lifestyle, finds himself at odds with the traditional Jewish obligation to say the Kaddish for his deceased father. This obligation becomes a source of tension as he navigates his responsibilities within a modern context that often conflicts with ancient practices. Englander highlights the juxtaposition of the character's reluctance to engage with tradition against the communal and familial pressures that insist on honoring those customs. Throughout the narrative, characters embody differing attitudes toward faith, ritual, and cultural identity, demonstrating how modern life complicates the adherence to long-standing traditions. Ultimately, the book serves as a meditation on the meaning of faith, the relevance of tradition in contemporary life, and the personal journey of reconciling one's past with present choices.

Kaddish. com Book Summary

In 'Kaddish.com', Nathan Englander weaves a poignant tale that explores faith, loss, and the complex ties of family. The narrative revolves around a man who finds himself grappling with his Jewish identity and the rituals that tether him to his heritage. After his father passes away, he must navigate the murky waters of mourning and memory, all while reluctantly turning to an unorthodox online service to fulfill a sacred promise. As the protagonist delves deeper into his role and responsibilities, he uncovers surprising truths about love, obligation, and the very essence of remembrance. This thought-provoking story captivates readers, inviting them to ponder their own connections to tradition and the digital age.

By Nathan Englander

Published: 2019

""In a world where the past is an inescapable echo, sometimes the only way to find peace is to confront the memories we wish to forget.""

From the Pulitzer prize shortlisted author of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, a brilliant, streamlined comic novel, reminiscent of early Philip Roth. Larry is an atheist in a family of orthodox Memphis Jews. When his father dies, it is his responsibility as the surviving son to recite the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead, every day for 11 months. To the horror and dismay of his mother and sisters, Larry refuses-thus imperiling the fate of his father's soul. To appease them, and in penance for failing to mourn his father correctly, he hatches an ingenious if cynical plan, hiring a stranger through a website called Kaddish.com to recite the daily prayer and shepherd his father's soul safely to rest. This is Nathan Englander's freshest and funniest work to date-a satire that touches, lightly and with unforgettable humor, on the conflict between religious and secular worlds, and the hypocrisies that run through both. A novel about atonement; family and duty; about spiritual redemption; and about the soul-sickening temptations of the internet, which, like God, is everywhere.

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