Bücher der Reihe Prayers of Awe

An engaging and sobering look at memorializing in Judaism and why memory-ours and God''s-is so central to people.Through a series of lively introductions and commentaries, over thirty contributors-men and women, scholars, rabbis, theologians and poets, representing all Jewish denominations-examine the history and ideas behind Yizkor, the Jewish memorial service, and this fascinating chapter in Jewish piety.Featuring the traditional prayers-provided in the original Hebrew and a new and annotated translation-this fourth volume in the Prayers of Awe series explores the profound theological questions at the core of this service and our own humanity: What happens to us after we die? Is there really an afterlife? Does our fate after death depend on the goodness with which we have pursued our earthly life? And more.Prayers of Awe: A multi-volume series designed to explore the High Holy Day liturgy and enrich the praying experience for everyone-whether experienced worshipers or guests who encounter Jewish prayer for the very first time.Contributors:Yoram BittonDr. Annette M. BoecklerDr. Marc Zvi BrettlerRabbi Lawrence A. Englander, CM, DHLRabbi Edward FeinsteinRabbi Solomon B. Freehof, PhD (z"l)Dr. Eric L. FriedlandRabbi Shoshana Boyd GelfandRabbi Edwin Goldberg, DHLRabbi Andrew Goldstein, PhDDr. Joel M. HoffmanRabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhDRabbi Walter Homolka, PhD, DHLRabbi Delphine HorvilleurRabbi Karyn D. KedarRabbi Daniel LandesCatherine MadsenRabbi Jonathan Magonet, PhDRabbi Dalia Marx, PhDRabbi Charles H. Middleburgh, PhDRabbi Jay Henry MosesRabbi Aaron D. Panken, PhDRabbi Jakob J. Petuchowski, PhD (z"l)Rabbi Jack RiemerRabbi Sandy Eisenberg SassoRabbi David SternRabbi David A. Teutsch, PhDRabbi Margaret Moers Wenig, DDDr. Ron WolfsonRabbi Daniel G. ZemelDr. Wendy Zierler

N'ilah, "the closing of the gates" is, in many ways, the most anticipated worship service in the entire Jewish calendar. Coming at the end of the 24-hour fast that characterizes Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), it symbolizes the days of old when the gates of the ancient Temple closed at last, and with them, the last chance for prayers of atonement and reconciliation with God and with others. Nowadays, the synagogue service that replaced the Temple cult marks the occasion with heightened fervor: the only time all year when the gates of the ark that houses the Torah scroll remain open throughout the service; telltale melodies accompany the occasion; a final blast of the shofar (the ram's horn) symbolizes the end of the fast and the new beginning that follows; special prayers celebrate the human capacity to create a life that matters beyond our own mortality -- and the presence of God who "reaches out a hand" to invite us into the new Jewish year that N'ilah's final shofar blast inaugurates.All of this is the topic for volume eight in "Prayers of Awe," the series devoted to exploring the depth of the Jewish High Holy Days. As with prior volumes, this one too comes with introductory essays on the history, theology, and deeper meaning behind the prayer experience. It then assembles some 40 short and accessible essays designed to unlock the mystery and depth of the occasion. Authors come from all walks of life - clergy and laypeople, scholars and artists, men and women across the generations - and from seven countries (Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Israel, the UK and USA).What music appreciation is to classical music, this series on prayer is to Jewish worship. This volume, in particular, explores Judaism's timeless message of divine purpose and the ongoing search for meaning in a world of human frailty but also promise.

Contributors from across the spectrum of Jewish life chart the importance of the Thirteen Attributes of God. They explore the kind of God Jews meet in prayer and the consequent self-reflection about the human condition that Judaism recommends on the basis of its idealized image of God as, above all, merciful and gracious.

The most memorable prayer of the Jewish New Year¿what it means, why we sing it and the secret of its magical appeal. Lively commentaries explore why Kol Nidre remains a liturgical highlight, regularly attended even by those who disbelieve the content.

This examination of universalism and particularism in Judaism seeks answers to the complex question, "Why be Jewish?" It explores the universalistic definition of the Jews' historic destiny, the role Jews must play simply by virtue of being human, and Judaism's part in helping Jews play that human role with uniquely Jewish passion and commitment.

The most controversial prayer of the Jewish New Year¿what it means, who wrote it, why we say it. Thought-provoking and inspiring discussions from a wide range of perspectives on all aspects of this prayer that defies easy understanding.

Engaging and sobering. Traces the development of Yizkor from the original memorializing of Jewish communities destroyed by the Crusaders to the touching service we have today, and reflects on how we remember both personal losses and the martyrs of history.

A comprehensive series of lively introductions and commentaries examines the history of confession in Judaism, its roots in the Bible, its evolution in rabbinic and modern thought, and the very nature of confession today.