"The prayer book is our Jewish diary of the centuries, a collection of
prayers composed by generations of those who came before us, as they
endeavored to express the meaning of their lives and their relationship
to God. The prayer book is the essence of the Jewish soul."
This stunning work, an empowering entryway to the spiritual revival of
our times, enables all of us to claim our connection to the heritage of
the traditional Jewish prayer book. It helps rejuvenate Jewish worship
in today's world, and makes its power accessible to all.
Framed with beautifully designed Talmud-style pages, commentaries from
many of today's most respected Jewish scholars from all movements of
Judaism examine Birkhot Hashachar from the perspectives of ancient
Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as feminist, halakhic, Talmudic,
linguistic, biblical, Chasidic, mystical, and historical perspectives.
This fifth volume in the series examines the complexities of personal
and public prayer in Birkhot Hashachar, the blessings and readings
surrounding each act of awakening. The Morning Blessings begin the daily
service by establishing our right to stand before God in all our
imperfect humanity. Vol. 5 helps us to understand how this collection of
short prayers and a call to study recognizes each new day: we awaken as
individuals but quickly affirm our role in the covenant with God.
Vol. 5--Birkhot Hashachar (Morning Blessings) features the traditional
Hebrew text with a new translation that lets people know exactly what
the prayers say. Introductions explain what to look for in the prayer
service, and how to truly use the commentaries to find meaning in the
prayer book. Commentaries from eminent scholars and teachers from all
movements of Judaism examine Birkhot Hashachar from the viewpoints of
ancient Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as a myriad of other
perspectives.
Even those not yet familiar with the prayer book can appreciate the
spiritual richness of Birkhot Hashachar. My People's Prayer Book
enables all worshipers, of any denomination, to create their own
connection to 3,000 years of Jewish experience with the world and with
God.
Contributors include:
Marc Brettler - Elliot N. Dorff - David Ellenson - Ellen Frankel - Joel
M. Hoffman - Lawrence A. Hoffman - Yoel H. Kahn - Lawrence Kushner -
Daniel Landes - Nehemia Polen
