The Genius of the Jewish Joke 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.
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.
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, The
Genius of the Jewish Joke is an entertaining and informative
inquiry into Jewish humor that explores its distinctiveness, its
unique spirit, and its role in Jewish identity.
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