Genius of the Jewish Joke

<p><em>The Genius of the Jewish Joke</em> focuses on what is distinctive and unusual about Jewish jokes and Jewish humor. Jewish humor is humor by Jews and about Jews in whatever medium this humor is found. Jokes are defined as short stories meant to amuse with a punch line though Jewish humor exists in many other forms—riddles comic definitions parodies—as well. The book makes a radical suggestion about the origin of Jewish humor—namely that Sarah and Abraham's relation to God and the name of their son Isaac (which in Hebrew means laughter) recognizes a special affinity in Jews for humor. Abraham does not sacrifice Isaac (humor) and thus humor and the Jews are linked early in Jewish history.</p><p>Berger discusses techniques of humor and how they can be used to analyze jokes. He also compares Old World Jewish Humor—the humor of the shtetl with its fabulous schlemiels schlimazels schnorrers and other characters—and New World Humor—the humor of Jewish doctors lawyers accountants and other professional types living mostly in the suburbs nowadays. Jewish humor is contrasted with other forms of ethnic humor such as Polish jokes and Italian American jokes.</p><p>This humor in addition to providing pleasure reveals a great deal about Jewish character and culture and in addition the human condition. Now available with a new introduction by the author <em>The Genius of the Jewish Joke</em> is an entertaining and informative inquiry into Jewish humor that explores its distinctiveness its unique spirit and its role in Jewish identity.</p>