Rabbi David Small

Rabbi David Small is the amateur detective protagonist of Harry Kemelman's mystery series set in a small Massachusetts town.

Rabbi David Small is the creation of author Harry Kemelman. He is the rabbi of a Conservative Jewish congregation in the fictional town of Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts. Small is a quiet, scholarly man who applies Talmudic reasoning and logic to solve murder cases that baffle the local police.

Small’s relationship with Police Chief Hugh Lanigan is central to the series. Lanigan, an Irish Catholic, develops a close friendship with the rabbi, and the two regularly discuss theology, philosophy, and crime over cups of tea. Each novel in the series is named for a day of the week, starting with Friday the Rabbi Slept Late.

You can find the complete list of books featuring this character on The Rabbi Small Mysteries series page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Rabbi David Small?

Rabbi David Small is the main character of Harry Kemelman’s mystery series. He is a rabbi in the fictional town of Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts, who uses Talmudic logic and reasoning to solve crimes.

How many books are in the Rabbi Small series?

There are twelve books in The Rabbi Small Mysteries series, published between 1964 and 1996.

What is the first Rabbi Small book?

The first book featuring Rabbi David Small is Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, published in 1964.

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