A historical and contemporary overview of customs and ceremonies as practiced by Jews from Biblical times to the present, discussing the changes that have taken place through the centuries.

Called “enriching” and “profoundly moving” by Elie Wiesel, The Jewish Way is a comprehensive and inspiring presentation of Judaism as revealed through its holy days. In thoughtful and engaging prose, Rabbi Irving Greenberg explains and interprets the origin, background, interconnections, ceremonial rituals, and religious significance of all the Jewish holidays, including Passover, Yom Kippur, Purim, Hanukkah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Israeli Independence Day. Giving detailed instructions for observance—the rituals, prayers, foods, and songs—he shows how celebrating the holy days of the Jewish calendar not only relives Jewish history but puts one in touch with the basic ideals of Judaism and the fundamental experience of life. Insightful, original, and engrossing, The Jewish Way is an essential volume that should be in every Jewish home, library, and synagogue.

This innovative how-to guide and reference book on the Jewish holidays provides a well-rounded foundation for both knowledge and action. Unlike many books of its kind, Celebrate! The Complete Jewish Holidays Handbook is nondenominational and comprehensive in approach. The author includes the historical development, religious importance, and personal significance of each Jewish holy day in a way that is useful to both beginners and those well versed in Jewish practice. The richness and depth of Jewish tradition, with a full range of information on why and how to celebrate, is presented in a lively, warm, and user-friendly manner.

Mitchell First's 62 short articles address interesting questions about the Hebrew language, liturgy, Jewish history, and the calendar and holidays. For example: On Jewish Liturgy: the origin of the Haftarah, the origin of the blessing "Who Has Not Made Me A Woman," and the origin of our prayer for the government.On Jewish Holidays and Calendar: the origin of the count from creation, the meaning of Yom Teruah, the meaning of "Maccabee," identifying Achashverosh and Esther in secular sources, and the original three questions in the Mah Nishtannah.On Hebrew Language: the origin of the words brit, boker, hefker, chalom, chatan, kesef, midbar, navi, olam, she'ol, and seraphim. Also, is there a connection between זכר meaning "male" and זכר meaning "memory"? Is there a connection between לחם and מלחמה? He also has articles on words that appear only once in Tanakh, biblical words of Egyptian origin, wordplay in Tanakh, and interesting words in the daily Amidah.This book also includes two longer articles: "The Meaning of the Word Hitpallel (התפלל)" and "The Root of the Word מבול A Flood of Possibilities."

The book explains the Jewish holidays and the Jewish calendar. This is a very detailed book about the Hebrew calendar, Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Chanukah and other holidays like Tu B'Shevat, Purim, and Yom Hashoah. This book is a great guide that has helped me understand so much more of the beauty of Judaism and the reasons to observe the occasions they do as well as the complexity of the celebrations and the meaning behind each.

This volume lists the Jewish holy days, relates the history of their origins and tells how they are traditionally observed.