Am Samstag aß der Rabbi nichts. Kriminalroman.

by Harry Kemelman

Paperback, 2001

Status

Available

Publication

Rowohlt Tb. (2001)

Description

Rabbi Small returns in this New York Times-bestselling novel to investigate a mysterious death on the Day of Atonement The day before Yom Kippur, the synagogue sound system is on the blink, the floral arrangements are in disarray, and a member of Rabbi David Small's congregation-in the Massachusetts town of Barnard's Crossing-is terribly concerned with how much a Torah weighs. The rabbi is determined not to let these mundane concerns ruin his day of prayer and contemplation. But the holiest day of the Jewish year is interrupted when a member of the congregation is found dead in his car. Details emerge that suggest the man may have killed himself, but the rabbi's wife suspects murder. Which is it? Rabbi Small kicks into high detective gear to find out. His search for the culprit among the small town's cast of eccentric characters leads to nail-biting suspense in this highly entertaining and engrossing mystery.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member MrsLee

A man who is an alcoholic dies of carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage at home. Rabbi Small enters the scene when the widow wants to have him buried in the Jewish cemetery. The rabbi must decide whether it was suicide, accidental death or perhaps something more sinister?
I saw the solution to

this mystery a mile away, but love reading about all the synagogue intrigue and how the rabbi cuts to the heart of things in a discussion. I will never in a million years be able to understand the way the Jewish tradition and culture thinks, but I am fascinated none-the-less.

Show Less

6 more

LibraryThing member BonnieJune54

I like the idea of the series but there is too much squabbling among his congregation. The mystery is a bit slow in getting started.

LibraryThing member Ameise1

This is the second book of the Rabbi Small series. It is the beginning of Yom Kippur as a murder happened. A non-practicing Jew is found dead. What first looks like a suicide turns out to be a murder with time. Rabbi Small has all hands full. On the one hand, he has to keep members of his church

from being considered as murderers. On the other hand, there are disputes between the community board and his responsibilities. Some members want to turn things so that they can profit economically. Once again, Rabbi Small assists the chief of police Hugh Lanigan in his investigations and, last but not least, he becomes a father for the first time.
It was again an amusing reading. The protagonists have already grown to my heart.

Show Less

LibraryThing member leslie.98

Read as part of the omnibus "Four Rabbi Small Mysteries" (Kindle edition). I continue to find Rabbi David Small a very interesting character and am learning some aspects of Jewish religion and tradition. The mystery is well crafted and conforms to my preference that all the clues and information

are available to the reader -- the fact that I couldn't figure it out is a sign of a good mystery imo!

Show Less

LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton

This is the second of the Rabbi Small mysteries and Rabbi Small is still new to the congregation. His wife is carrying their first child during Yom Kippur. There is much to learn about some of the religious customs that surround that time. however, there is also another death in the community. The

question is was it suicide, an accident, or something worse.

of course, Rabbi Small ends up in the thick of things. The dead person was a non-observant Jew, but his wife wants him buried in the Jewish cemetery; a suicide would not be allowed to be buried within it. Rabbi Small's decision raises all sorts of questions.

I have to admit, I didn't suspect the end; I had my eyes on the red herring. The author played totally fair, though. It does not have to be read in order, although events that happened in the first book are mentioned. I think they are sufficiently explained that a reader would be able to enjoy this one as a standalone.

Highly recommended for people who enjoy traditional mysteries with a hint of "cozy."

Show Less

LibraryThing member jetangen4571

Jewish, Jewish-law, murder, murder-investigation, small-town, law-enforcement*****

Critical thinking and inductive reasoning are Rabbi Small's forte. It's been years since I read these books, but it would seem that they've only gotten more relevant as mysteries and clearer as tools to learn more

about the Jewish faith. Yes, it was a murder. Great reread.
George Guidall is well suited as narrator.

Show Less

LibraryThing member datrappert

Once again, the Rabbi has to solve a murder to overcome the nitwits in his synagogue who are more interested in their own personal agendas than in doing the right thing. The formula is exactly the same as in the first book, but it hasn't grown old yet. What is a little jarring is the 1960s setting,

against the background of the civil rights movement. The book's references and attitudes seem more than a bit out of date, but the rabbi DOES have his own opinions about things, so part of it is probably the rabbi's responsibility rather than the author's! The crime itself is cleverly solved, but it is just a plot device that enables the rabbi to overcome his adversaries and prove his superior thought processes. Now that I'm used to the character, I actually enjoyed this better than the first book. The audiobook versions are an ideal way to get into the series, since the narrator does a really great job. The next thing you know, you'll be eating lunch in your car every day so you have an excuse to listen longer.

Show Less

Fewer