JPS's new holiday books take us through the joys, spirit, and meaning of the seasons. Blending the old and the new, they ground us in the origins and traditions of each holiday and open up to us ways we can add our own expression to these special days. Although synagogue ritual is touched upon, the real focus here is on our personal connections to each holiday and our home observance.
As we move from season to season, Paul Steinberg shares with us a rich collection of readings from many of the Jewish greats -- Maimonides, Rashi, Nachmanides, Shlomo Carlebach, Marge Piercy, Elie Wiesel, Martin Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Arthur Green, and others -- and he guides us in discovering for ourselves the many treasures within each text.
The readings teach us about the history of each holiday, as well as its theological, ethical, agricultural, and seasonal importance and interpretation; others give us inspiration and much food for thought. These stories, essays, poems, anecdotes, and rituals help us discover how deeply Jewish traditions are rooted in nature's yearly cycle, and how beautifully season and spirit are woven together throughout the Jewish year.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
A Christian's viewpointI:
I work in a Protestant Church Library, and am always looking to improve our religious book collection. This includes finding appropriate books of other faiths. I found the one on the Jewish holidays to be very good in explanation and description of them. Very interesting and informative.
A superb addition to personal, family, school and community library Judaic Studies reference collections:
Deftly edited by Janet Greenstein Potter, "Celebrating The Jewish Year: The Winter Holidays" by Rabbi Paul Steinberg (Director of Jewish Studies and Hebrew at the Levine Academy: A Solomon Schechter School in Dallas, Texas) focuses upon three Jewish sacred events: Hanukkah, Tu b'Shevat, and Purim. Drawing from an impressive roster of original sources ranging from Maimonides, to Nachman of Bratzlav, to Theodor Herzle, Rabbi Steinberg provides readers with histories and insights into these Judaic celebrations... more info
Superb introduction:
Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Fall Holidays tells the story behind three fall holidays celebrated in the Jewish tradition: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Written in plain terms and accessible to readers of all backgrounds, chapters cover the origins of these holidays, modern perspectives upon their significance, interpretations of sacred texts, alternative meditations, and much more. Endnotes, a glossary, and an index round out this superb introduction especially recommended for anyone seeking to... more info
Excellent Book:
I ordered this book before the Jewish high holidays and was very glad to have it with me during services and at home throughout the Jewish holiday season. Each of the holidays discussed in the book (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot) has a very interesting section explaining not only customs of celebrating the holiday, but the rationales behind the customs. There is a lot in these pages that would appeal to a well-educated Jew, but I think it would also provide a great introduction to someone who is not... more info
