One of the world's most famous and respected rabbis has given us the one guide we need to practice Jewish prayer and understand the prayer book. From the origins and meaning of prayer to a step-by-step explanation of the daily services to the reason you're not supposed to chat with your friends during the service, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz answers many of the questions likely to arise about Jewish prayer. Here are chapters on daily prayer; Sabbath prayer; prayer services for the holidays; the yearly cycle of synagogue Bible readings; the history and make-up of the synagogue; the different prayer rites for Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Yemenites, and other cultural/geographic groupings; the role of the rabbi and the cantor in the synagogue; and the role of music in the service. The book also contains a glossary, a bibliography, and biographical sketches of the rabbis who were instrumental in creating and ordering the prayers through the ages. Rabbi Steinsaltz's guide is an essential volume both for the newcomer to Jewish prayer and for those who have been engaged in prayer for years. From the Hardcover edition.
For readers who wish to learn about Jewish prayer, A Guide to Jewish Prayer is the first book to read, and the one that will be the cornerstone of any collection of books on the subject. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, a world- renowned scholar of Judaic studies and the editor and translator of Random House's 22-volume edition of the Talmud, has written this Guide in order to "open the gates of Jewish prayer for those who want to know and comprehend both its essence and its structure, and the numerous details concerning the various prayer services." Beginning with magisterial essays on the nature of prayer and the history of the Siddur (the common Jewish prayer book), Steinsaltz then moves to a detailed description of the prayer services conducted over the course of the Jewish year, and ends with a series of essays about communal prayer, including chapters on the synagogue, prayer accessories, and the music of prayer. With a comprehensive glossary and short biographies of the many rabbis who have influenced the history of Jewish prayer, Steinsaltz's Guide provides every necessary resource for understanding prayer, for every conceivable reader--from the curious gentile to the devoted Jew. -- Michael Joseph Gross
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
A help to better prayer:
There are a number of good books on the subject of Jewish Prayer. Seth Kadish's ' Kavvana' perhaps does most to explain the actual problems a Jew faces in praying in the proper way. There are books by Haim Donin, by Rabbi Munk who provides great insight into the meaning of the prayers, by many others. Rabbi Steinsaltz is a great Talmid Chacham and his work provides a most detailed explanation of the meaning of prayer and of various individual prayers. I have read parts of the work and learned from them . I... more info
For those who wonder why:
This is a largely a how-to book written by a Jew for primarily a Jewish audience. The primariy focus is on the order of prayer as used through the use of a Siddur. I found the background to why certain traditions exist interesting (my primary motive for reading it), but found the many chapters devoted to what order certain aspects are performed on what occasions taxing. In fairness, this is primarily because I'm not Jewish, not because of the writing. However, for the Jewish person wondering why they do... more info
excellent guide:
As most books of Even-Israel (or Steinsaltz) this is a highly readable book, clearly explaining the traditions and regulations of prayer. Read it once to get a basic grip, and then keep it as a reference work.
Steinsaltz is a Great Gift to us All:
The above reviewer spoke for me. I'll only add that for beginners or those not steeped in Judaica, or for those not Jewish, who want to get his work, I recommend starting with "The Thirteenth Petalled Rose." It's short, exquisite and an excellent introduction to this also great book
