The Genius of the Jewish Joke (Classics in Communication and by Arthur Asa Berger

The Genius of the Jewish Joke specializes in what's detailed and weird approximately Jewish jokes and Jewish humor. Jewish humor is humor through Jews and approximately Jews, in no matter what medium this humor is located. Jokes are outlined as brief tales, intended to amuse, with a punch line, even though Jewish humor exists in lots of different forms—riddles, comedian definitions, parodies—as good. The booklet makes a "radical" recommendation concerning the starting place of Jewish humor—namely, that Sarah and Abraham's relation to God, and the identify in their son Isaac (which, in Hebrew, capacity laughter), acknowledges a unique affinity in Jews for humor. Abraham doesn't sacrifice Isaac (humor) and, therefore, humor and the Jews are associated early in Jewish history.

Berger discusses concepts of humor and the way they are often used to investigate jokes. He additionally compares "Old global Jewish Humor"—the humor of the shtetl, with its extraordinary schlemiels, schlimazels, schnorrers, and different characters—and "New global Humor"—the humor of Jewish medical professionals, legal professionals, accountants, and different specialist kinds dwelling normally within the suburbs these days. Jewish humor is contrasted with other kinds of ethnic humor, equivalent to Polish jokes and Italian American jokes.

This humor, as well as supplying excitement, unearths very much approximately Jewish personality and tradition and, furthermore, the human situation. Now to be had with a brand new creation via the writer, The Genius of the Jewish Joke is an interesting and informative inquiry into Jewish humor that explores its strong point, its certain spirit, and its position in Jewish identity.