To Live by These

To Live By These is a collection of Jewish poems written by Jewish poet Michael Leibowitz. In this volume Leibowitz explores the experience of his Jewish identity. This is a wide-ranging compilation that explores the disparate strands which contribute to his Jewishness. They include: religion, rituals, belief systems, customs, practices, Jewish lore, culture, humour, food, Jewish history (and identification with Jewish history), Israel, antisemitism and Jewish migration. Central to Leibowitz's Jewish experience is family life, community, and the sense of belonging that those bring. Jewish philosophy and metaphysics are also addressed, as well as the practice of Jewish questioning, debate and argument. This book of poems is a testament to totality of Leibowitz's existence as a Jew.