Holidays Books - Page 2

The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat: Connect and Celebrate--Bring Your Family Together with the Friday Night Meal

Meredith L. Jacobs

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Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Bringing the family together every Friday night for the Shabbat meal has helped many families connect with each other, even as children grow into their teens and beyond. Having experienced the joys of Shabbat and witnessed how it has brought her family together, Meredith L. Jacobs now brings us THE MODERN MOM'S GUIDE TO SHABBAT.

Written in conversational style from one modern Jewish mom to another, THE MJM'S GUIDE will be funny and warm, brightly colored and easy to read, filled with delicious, easy recipes and family art projects, while also challenging readers with summaries of the weekly Torah portion and suggested family discussion topics, compelling readers to include discussion in their dinner as a vehicle for connecting with their children–both teaching and learning from them. It will be informative and accessible throughout.

Shabbat is a wonderful way to ensure that in this day of ridiculous schedules and pressures, that we have at least one meal per week together as a family. Shabbat is the time we turn the outside world away and connect with each other. Unlike other holidays, Shabbat is not once a year, it's once a week, giving us fifty–two chances a year to connect with our children.

Whether you are reform, conservative, or modern orthodox, newly converted or non–Jewish in an inter–faith marriage, THE MODERN JEWISH MOM'S GUIDE TO SHABBAT will teach us about traditions, making new ones, and most importantly, how to connect with our children.

Christ in the Passover: Why is This Night Different

Ceil Rosen, Moishe Rosen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Stumbling Block - Gross Simplifications, Distortions 1 out of 5 stars.
6 of 11 people found this review helpful.

The Rosens' book does discuss some of the rituals of the Passover Seder, however, their description of Jewish law and the meanings behind the symbols are at best a gross simplification and at worse completely off-target, which I attribute to the disparity between Jewish and Christian theology. One glaring example is a discussion found on pages 51 and 84 - the Rosens contend that the wine of the Passover Seder `... graphically represent[s] the blood of the Passover lamb ...' based off their reading of Pesakhim 7:13 (Pesakhim is a tractate of codified Jewish Law which describes the laws of Passover) and other unnamed `ancient commentaries' and thus connect it to the wine of the Eucharist. However, the verse they reference in Pesakhim does not exist, and this concept is anathema to Judaism which proscribes the consuming of life-blood in any measure.
Other discussion in their work also falls short of describing Jewish understanding, as brief examples, I would cite the following:
- The leaven is not necessarily a representation of sin, but of preoccupation in the material world. The three matzot do not connote the Trinity (p 70, 76, etc), but rather the three stages of liberation from Egypt - freedom from slavery, the splitting of the Reed Sea, and the journey through the wilderness. The translations of verses from Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 12 (p 70, 86) are wrong and out of context, and the related discussion of `striping' on the matzot (p 70) does not apply.
- The description of the preparation of the Paschal sacrifice beginning on page 25 is inaccurate. The offering is unblemished as is every other offering, but was not brought into the household for adoration. The Paschal sacrifice is by no means a redemption from sin (`G-d's holiness demands that He judge sin, and the price is costly indeed', p 26) but rather recognition of G-d's sovereignty.
- The discussion of the blessings on the fourth cup of wine is misleading; the concept of the Divine Messiah and Savior and the Second Coming are Christian concepts, the Melekh haMoshiakh of Judaism is wholly human and there is no indication of a Second Coming in Jewish Scripture.
- The description of the kittel on page 73 is fairly accurate, but the `crown' or `mitre' discussed on pages 73-75 (to denote the `leader of the feast' as king and religious leader) is a distortion of a mitre worn by Reform Judaism cantors in synagogue worship. Actual Jewish practice is that at Passover we are all `kings and free men', and we are all enjoined to participate and lead discussion during the Seder.
- The liturgy of the Sephardic Seder discussed on page 91 does not include symbolism relating to `perfect, sinless life' of the Messiah and sacrificial death related to the Paschal lamb as presented. The discussion on page 82 regarding the afikomen goes astray when it brings in the verse from Luke 22:19 `This is My body ...'
In my opinion, the Rosens are not qualified to address many of the examples they give in their book; although Judaism encourages inspection and analysis to foster understanding by the individual, I think the Rosens' discussion is misguided with the preconceived notion of reconciling the Jewish themes of Passover with Christian theology. Presenting this book as an application of what they consider `Orthodox Jew[ish]' learning is, by any measure, a stumbling block.

Editorial Review:

An interesting and vivid description of the Passover during the time of Christ as compared to today's celebration.

Chrismukkah: Everything You Need to Know to Celebrate the Hybrid Holiday

Ron Gompertz

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Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Christmas meets Hanukkah for millions of mixed-faith families—who deck their trees with Stars of David and spin the dreidel under mistletoe. Here is a one-of-a-kind, amusingly illustrated and endlessly entertaining guide to the joys—and oys—of celebrating Chrismukkah, the hybrid holiday.

A veritable cornucopia of seasonal delights, this handy (and often hilarious) lifestyle guide walks us through all the Chrismukkah events, history, and lore. You’ll learn about hybrid holiday traditions in decorating (ornaments, wreaths, menorahs, dreidels); innovative tchotchkes (Chrismukkah cards, stockings, lights); and a plethora of menorah options (Godzilla or snowman, anyone?). Plus, the book includes rollicking games to play and songs to sing, along with easy-to-follow recipes for Latkes with Sugar Plum Fairy Sauce, General Saul’s Chicken, Mama Mia Matzah Pizza!, Blitzen’s Blintzes, and other Noel Noshes. Your yuletide happy hours will never be the same once you start mixing a Yule Plotz, Meshugga Nog, or Manishewitz Mulled Wine.

Rounding out the mix are chapters on snazzy holiday hats and caps, interfaith dog and cat gift suggestions, and office-party dos and don’ts. It’s beginning to look a lot like Chrismukkah, and now we’ll all be ready to celebrate with style!

Jewish Holiday Cooking: A Food Lovers Treasury of Classics and Improvisations

Jayne Cohen

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Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In Jewish Holiday Cooking, Jayne Cohen shares a wide-ranging collection of traditional Jewish recipes, as well as inventive new creations and contemporary variations on the classic dishes.  For home cooks, drawing from the rich traditions of Jewish history when cooking for the holidays can be a daunting task.  Jewish Holiday Cooking comes to the rescue with recipes drawn from Jayne Cohen's first book, The Gefilte Variations -- called an "outstanding debut" by Publisher's Weekly -- as well as over 100 new recipes and information on cooking for the holidays.  More than just a cookbook, this is the definitive guide to celebrating the Jewish holidays.  Cohen provides practical advice and creative suggestions on everything from setting a Seder table with ritual objects to accommodating vegan relatives.  The book is organized around the major Jewish holidays and includes nearly 300 recipes and variations, plus suggested menus tailored to each occasion, all conforming to kosher dietary laws.  Chapters include all eight of the major Jewish holidays -- Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot -- and the book is enlivened throughout with captivating personal reminiscences and tales from Jewish lore as well as nostalgic black and white photography from Cohen's own family history.

Man's Quest for God: Studies in Prayer and Symbolism

Abraham J. Heschel

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Mysticism and Monotheism 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 18 people found this review helpful.

Heschel's interpretation of Judaism in his Between God and Man, is that of MYSTICISM AND MONOTHEISM, the ineffable and unexplainable, the allusiveness that can only point us to the inner certainty of God.

Heschel is a substantial writer and skilled in both analogy and description. And ultimately, in defining Jewish wisdom in words, is that which cannot be as defined in words as calculable and systematic, but rather as a direction to be pointed. And this is what you will find in most non-fundamental wisdom. It is here that expressions defining God as indefinable are so well conveyed. The SUBLIME, the MYSTERY, wonder, awe, reverence, the idea of the holy and that of revelation are the spontaneous creative events verses that of causal processes.

Here `modern man fell into the trap of believing that everything can be explained, that reality is a simple affair which has only to be organized in order to be mastered. All enigmas can be solved, and all wonder is nothing but the effect of novelty upon ignorance.' P. 40 Such dogmatic fallacies can be found in both science and religion. `The deeper we search the nearer we arrive at knowing that we do not know. The mystery of divinity, `it is a dimension off all existence and may be experienced everywhere and at all times. This sense of the ineffable perceives is something objective, which cannot be conceived by the mind nor captured by imagination or feeling, something real, which by its very essence, is beyond the reach of thought and feeling. What we are primarily aware of is not our self, our inner mood, but a transubjective situation, in regard to which our ability fails. Subjective is the manner, not the matter of our perception. What we perceive is objective in the sense of being independent of and corresponding to our perception. Our radical amazement reasons to the mystery, but does not produce it. You and I have not invented the grandeur of the sky nor endowed man with the mystery of birth and death. We do not create the ineffable, we encounter it. P. 47

Now what underlies this ineffable and non-explanatory presence or allusive presence of divinity beyond discursive analysis, is what Judaism consists of, monotheism, this being an absolute purpose and a CERTAINTY, the certainty of God that finds all other expression.

`God is a mystery but the mystery is not God. He is a revealer of mystery. The certainty that there is meaning beyond the mystery is the reason fore ultimate rejoicing. P. 49 The certainty of the realness of God does not come about as a corollary of logical premises, as a leap from the realm of logic to the realm of ontology, from an assumption to a fact. It is on the contrary, a transition form an immediate apprehension to a thought form a preconceptual awareness to a definite assurance, from being overwhelmed by the presence of God to an awareness of His existence. What we attempt to do in the act of reflection is to raise that preconceptual awareness to the level of understanding. P. 67 `To meet Him is to come upon an inner certainty.' P. 80

Regarding Jewish LAWS, Heschel writes that such laws are not meant as a yoke, nor repressive to desires, nor a straight jacket of rituals, but out of love, from an internal center, the heart, where the soul, the internal motivation of love, must be in harmony with the law

Laws are emphasized not as mechanical duties but rather as artistic acts, as in music one must be what he plays. The goal is to find access to the sacred deed. To do a mitzvah is one thing; to partake of its inspiration another. P. 166

'The law is a cry for creativity, not mechanical processes, nor technicalities. The law is only valid with the motivation of the heart behind it. It is both the action and the inspiration behind the action. The laws and traditions are self-defeating without faith and heart motivation. Judaism is more than law, it is purity of the heart, it is faith and love of God. God is called to re-create the world in his likeness. The law must never be idolized. Rules are only generalizations. Judaism is not legalism. Just as proclaimed truths - kerygma, are worthless without the deeper allusive essence - dogma, so is Halakhah - the definite rational instructions worthless without the Agadah - the allusive, non-discursive and immeasurable. The law must have both or its way is perverted.

`It supplies the weapons, it points the way; the fighting is left to the soul of man.' 'Obedience to the letter of the law regulates our daily living, but such obedience must not stultify the spontaneity of our inner life. P. 176

`The true goal for man is to be what he does.' P. 164. `Sacred deeds are designed to make living compatible with our sense of the ineffable. The mitzvot are forms of expressing in deeds the appreciation of the ineffable. P. 182 The soul grows by noble deeds. The soul is illumined by sacred acts. P. 177 The life of the spirit too needs concrete actions for its actualization.' P. 177

And the PSYCHOLOGY of Judaism:
`We must not indulge in self-scrutinization; we must not concentrate upon the problem of egocentricity. The way to purify the self is to avoid dwelling upon the self and to concentrate upon the task. Any religious or ethical teaching that places the main emphasis upon the virtues of inwardness such as faith and the purity of motivation must come to grief. If faith were the only standard, the effort of man would be doomed to failure. Indeed, the awareness of the weakness of the heart, the unreliability of human inwardness may perhaps have been one of the reasons that compelled Judaism to take recourse to actions instead of relying upon inward devotion.' P. 189 There is power in the deed which purifies desires. It is the act, life itself that educates the will. The good motive comes into being while doing the good. P. 190

Heschel is worth all the time invested in his writings.

Editorial Review:

Dr Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907Chr(45)1972), professor of Ethics and Mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, was one of the outstanding philosophers and theologians of our time. Internationally acclaimed author, scholar, activist and theologian, Dr Heschel's classic, "Man's Quest for God", originally published in 1954, continues to be a significant contribution to contemporary Jewish literature. In his poetic and inspiring style, Heschel offers insights that speak deeply to the essence of prayer.

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Hanukkah: With Light, Latkes, and Dreidels (Holidays Around the World)

Deborah Heiligman

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Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A 2007 Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Younger Readers 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Books explaining the celebration of Hanukkah abound - who would have thought there was anything new to say to children on this topic? However, Heiligman's excellent book, published by National Geographic as part of the Holidays around the World series, offers a unique perspective. The historical roots of the story are told succinctly, and the rest of the book centers around how the holiday is celebrated. What sets this book apart are the first-rate, full-page photographs that depict Jews celebrating Hanukkah all over the world. In places as far-flung as South Korea, Uganda and Peru, the story of Hanukkah is still alive and still holds meaning. Through the photos, it becomes clear that although these Jews are living in a variety of cultures and countries, they all celebrate the holiday in much the same way.

In addition, unusually thorough end notes supplement the text. Here is a summary of facts, information on how to light a menorah, a simple, yet exacting recipe for making latkes, and complete instructions on how to play dreidel. The bibliography and glossary include valuable resources and definitions, and a world map spotlights the countries where the book's photographs were taken. Finally, there is a wonderfully written afterword about Hanukkah's meaning and message written by Rabbi Shira Stern,who consulted in the writing of the book. Highly recommended for synagogue, school and public libraries. REVIEWED BY NANCY AUSTEIN (Temple Emanu-El, Dallas, TX)

Editorial Review:

In Celebrate Hanukkah Deborah Heiligman welcomes readers to a holiday celebrated by Jewish communities around the world.

The vivid photography of National Geographic illustrates the joyous celebrations of Jewish people around the world—including Ghana, Uganda, India, Israel, Peru, the United States and Poland, as they light menorahs, spin dreidels, and make latkes.

The richly informative back matter details many facts, such as the story of U.S. astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, who brought a menorah and a dreidel on his Space Shuttle mission in 1993. Hoffman observed the traditional spinning of the dreidel, but wisely left the menorah unlit in the proximity of several thousand liters of rocket fuel! Also included are the author's sure-to-please latke recipe, Hanukkah blessings, and a Hanukkah song.

A note from Rabbi Shira Stern, the book's consultant, sets the holiday in its global religious and cultural context.

When a Jew Celebrates (The Jewish Values Series) (The Jewish Values Series)

Harry Gersh

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Editorial Review:

Describes the special days celebrated by a Jew and the Jewish community.

The Feasts of Israel: Seasons of the Messiah

Bruce Scott

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Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Examines Biblical Text, Customs, Prophetic & Theological Too 5 out of 5 stars.
23 of 23 people found this review helpful.

If you have never studied the Old Testament Feasts, you might think they would make for dull study. I did for many years. But I have found this one of the most fascinating areas to study in the entire Bible! This book is a great place to begin.

This fine work is great for a general read or as a useful tool for Bible teachers. It is written from a solidly evangelical perspective, the kind of viewpoint we expect from the publisher, Friends of Israel. It is clear and thorough but not tedious. It describes the natue of the 7 Feasts of Leviticus as well as the Sabbath and the Minor Feasts.

The author begins with and always considers himself accountable to the Bible. Additionally he explains the Jewish customs and understanding of the Festivals, and then demonstrates how some of the aspects of the festivals foreshadow the Messiah or New Testament truths.

The volume is filled with Scripture references (and thus well documented) and takes a respectful approach toward the Jewish roots of our Chrisitan beliefs, as well as a belief that God has a future for the nation of Israel.

Lots of solid doctrine. The insights and implications of the Feasts are a fascinating read for anyone dedicated to understanding the faith of the Bible or growing deeper in the Lord.

My only gripe is that the author follows the traditional Jewish practice of lumping the first three Levitical feasts together: Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits (since they occur within the same week). Separate treatment would have been better in my view. But, all in all, a fine, faith-building volume!

Editorial Review:

THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL: Many of the Bible’s most incredible prophecies about Christ are intricately woven into the Jewish holidays and feasts of the Old Testament. That’s where you’ll find little-known yet astounding pictures of Christ’s deity, His death and resurrection, and even His Second Coming. You’ll discover that much of what Jesus said and did—which seems mysterious to us today—suddenly makes complete sense. Don’t miss any part of the greatest story ever told.

The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays

Irving Greenberg

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

I love this book 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I am a Christian, and I read this book years ago. Since then it has become a standard on my shelf. If I want inspiration, especially the Jewish view of Sabbath, I pick up this book and read the parts I have highlighted. My heart continues to be stirred by its contents.

Definitely the Jewish way 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

A wonderful overview of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. I use it as a refresher before every holiday and recommend it as a resource for friends wanting to learn more.

An outstanding and inspiring guide 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is more than the usual guide to the holidays. It is written by one of the pre-eminent Jewish thinkers of our time, and therefore rich in insight and wisdom. Rabbi Greenberg's great love of the Jewish tradition and the Jewish people pervades the work.
To read it is to learn and to be inspired to higher prayer and holier service of G-d on the holidays.

Beautifully written introduction to Judaism 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a lovely, beautifully written introduction to Judaism that this Catholic found absolutely fascinating. I grew up in an overwhelmingly Jewish neighborhood and was well aware of the vastly different culture that was expressed around me. Rabbi Greenberg's explication of his faith is insightful, passionate, and, in places, just plain fun. He grounds the book in the weekly and yearly liturgical cycle. The book reads like a series of sermons on the meaning of the Sabbath, and the meaning of the greater and lesser feasts of the Jewish liturgical year. I was repeatedly struck by how similar to my own Catholic faith is the stance of the believer before God, even as to the changing nuances of the various feasts throughout the year. Highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

The focus of this book is on Judaism as it expresses itself in the Jewish holidays.