"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.

This volume of the My People's Prayer Book series celebrates Shabbat morning and guides us to a new understanding of this day of rest, memory and joy.

"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." My People's Prayer Book provides diverse and exciting commentaries to the traditional liturgy, written by some of today's most respected scholars and teachers from all perspectives of the Jewish world. They explore the text from the perspectives of ancient Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as feminist, halakhic, medieval, linguistic, biblical, Chasidic, mystical, and historical perspectives. 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. The My People's Prayer Book series belongs on the library shelf of every home, every synagogue—every sanctuary of prayer. Introductions tell the reader what to look for in the prayer service, as well as how to truly use the commentaries, to search for—and find—meaning in the prayer book.

This volume of the My People's Prayer Book series 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.

"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. The sixth volume probes the theological complexities of human nature as presented in Tachanun, the prayers that acknowledge human sin and petition divine pardon. It also illuminates the prayers that conclude the standard Jewish service: Kaddish, Alenu, and K'dushah D'Sidra; and provides a detailed treatment of Maimonides' thirteen principles of faith. The personal call for judgment combined with hope for the universal reign of God define Judaism as a religion for individuals and the world, with a liturgy that affirms both. Vol. 6--Tachanun and Concluding Prayers 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 Tachanun and Concluding Prayers 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 Tachanun and Concluding Prayers. 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 * Alyssa Gray * Joel M. Hoffman * Lawrence A. Hoffman * Lawrence Kushner * Daniel Landes * Nehemia Polen

This volume of the My People's Prayer Book series 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.