Reviews (31)

Artscroll paperback Siddur: Possibly NOT for your eyes only !
I give it 5 stars for being "complete" (i.e., The idea of having services for every holiday and every day of the week in one volume is wonderful). Ultimately, however, I give it 2 stars because: This paperback edition is totally useless to me. If you need reading glasses and are thinking of ordering The COMPLETE ARTSCROLL SIDDUR (paperback edition), make sure to visit your eye doctor and get those bifocals before this book arrives!The description of this ARTSCROLL edition uses words like "clear"...and "crisp type..."... but it is only clear and crisp if you can read miniature words or you have young eyes that haven't gone through "the change" yet!

see an optomotrist before you buy
the print is quite small. make sure you've got good eyes or a good pair of glasses if you buy this item

Buy it!
I'm a Gentile who has been raised as a Christian but who's more and more drawn to Judaism. I really love to use this prayerbook!
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Subjects:  1. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    2. Prayerbooks - Jewish    3. Religion    4. Religion - Judaism   

Reviews (3)

Not the *official* new siddur...
Readers may be confused by the description of this book as the `long-awaited new prayer book' of the Reform movement because of the authorship by Stern. It is not. That siddur is called Mishkan T'filah (Tabernacle of Prayer) and has not yet been made available to the public. No slight intended to Mr. Stern, who has apparently incorporated the same changes agreed by the Reform movement into his version, but this really should be made clear in the description of the book.

Bilingually presented in both Hebrew and English
Collected and translated by Rabbi Chaim Stern, Paths Of Faith: The New Jewish Prayer Book For Synagogue And Home is a new prayer book written and prepared especially for the Jewish Sabbath, religious weekday services, festivals, and other high and holy occasions, as celebrated and honored by Reform Jewish Congregations throughout North America. All of the prayers and all of the songs are bilingually presented in both Hebrew and English, making Paths Of Faith a completely accessible and very highly recommended resource intended for both the home and the synagogue.

A Blessing
Un excelente SIDUR que refleje el espiritu de la plegaria jud�a desde la perspectiva del judaismo progresista . En general sigue la estructura y distribuci�ntradicional del sidur reformista. Los cambios introducidos en la AMIDA y el texto postrero al SHEMA parecen interesantes ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    2. Motivational & Inspirational    3. Prayerbooks - Jewish    4. Religion    5. Religion - Judaism    6. Judaism   

Reviews (13)

A Classic Work in Jewish Meditation
Rabbi Kaplan, did not live long enough in his short life, to enable all of his knowledge to be shared with us all. But during those short years of his life, he was a most prolific writer. He was an Orthodox Jew who was able to straddle and live in both the secular and Orthodox Jewish worlds with relative ease. He was on the "Who is Who" in Physics, as well as, being a respected Rabbi and teacher for many in the Orthodox Jewish community.
Fascinating and helpful
In this work, the late Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan explores the Jewish roots of meditation, as well as a practical on how to meditate according to Jewish tradition.
A good introduction to the subject of Jewish Meditation
The first part of this book is a well- written introduction to the subject of Jewish Meditation including a historical survey of the subject. The second part consists in describing and evaluating various meditation techniques. As I do not 'meditate' myself I cannot be a proper judge of how effective the second part of the work is. The first part did however give me some understanding of what I understand to be a subject one must really ' experience' to know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism    2. Judaism - General    3. Meditations    4. Prayerbooks - Jewish    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Mysticism    8. Religion / Meditations   

Subjects:  1. Inspiration & Personal Growth    2. Inspirational - General    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - General    5. Meditations    6. Nature    7. Prayerbooks - Jewish    8. Religion    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Religious aspects    11. Seasons    12. Spiritual life   

Reviews (2)

A great gift for B'nai Mitzvah
We give this book as a gift at the completion of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, from our Temple Brotherhood.

My favorite Bar/Bat Mitvah gift
We use this book as our family siddur.It has prayers in hebrew and english for _all_ occasions.It has meditations and readings for stressful times.It is much more useful than the traditional siddur for home events. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English    2. Hebrew    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Prayer-books and devotions    6. Prayerbooks - Jewish    7. Reform Judaism    8. Religion   

Reviews (1)

Very Helpful for People Learning Jewish Traditonal Prayers
The Seif Edition of the Artscroll Transliterated Linear Siddur Weekday [Prayers] is the younger sibling of Artscroll's popular "Seif Edition Artscroll Transliterated Linear Siddur Shabbat and Holidays." There are also a Rosh Hashanah Machzor and a Yom Kippur Machzor in the same format.Read more

Subjects:  1. Prayerbooks - Jewish    2. Religion    3. Religion - Judaism    4. Spirituality - General   

Reviews (1)

Jewish and non-Jewish readings, prayers, inspirations
Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins edits YOM KIPPUR READINGS: INSPRIATION INFORMATION CONTEMPLATION uses a range of sources, from ancient to modern, Jewish and non-Jewish, to provide a set of readings, prayers and inspirational reflections on the themes addressed on Yom Kippur, surveying the basics and spirit of the holiday season and its relationship to both God and community. From themes of forgiveness and faith to customs and rituals, this reader makes an important point of discussion for both families and classes surveying Yom Kippur's ongoing meaning and history.
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Subjects:  1. Holidays - Jewish    2. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    3. Meditations    4. Prayerbooks - Jewish    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Yom Kippur    8. Judaism    9. Religious festivals   

Reviews (16)

Excellent Reading
Kaplan is a genius. He is well versed in Jewish Mysticism and the Kabbalah. A must read for all faiths as it is the fondation of all that is. Although some of Kaplans work is way beyond the PHD level in his writtings such as the book of formation. He offers diverse styles and intellectual levels. Someone is bound to find his writings they can relate too and understand. Meditation and the Kabbalah is an easy read but she read over time for the reader to truly enjoy the teachings. Kaplan does not write science fiction where you could read the book in a summer afternoon. He wants you to think. That is his gift.
The Light of the Torah
This book is very complete, it presents historical, encyclopedic, theoretical and very practical knowledge about Kabala. You should be careful only to meditate when Rav Kaplan writes so, don't read or pronounce. This is an extremely daring book for an Orthodox Rabbi to write, especially because it is accessible to everyone, if you are Jewish the best results you'll get through this book are if you perform ALSO all the other "rituals", meaning being observant of prayer, Shabbat, Kosher, etc.

Kaplan is a Genius
This book is a rich education and reference source to Kaballah that puts the pop culture movements to shame.
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Subjects:  1. 1240-ca. 1292    2. Abulafia, Abraham ben Samuel,    3. Cabala    4. Hasidism    5. Judaism    6. Judaism - General    7. Meditations    8. Mysticism    9. Prayerbooks - Jewish    10. Religion    11. Religion - Judaism    12. Abulafia, Abraham ben Samuel    13. Kabbalah & hermetic thought    14. Luria, Isaac ben Solomon    15. Magic & alchemy    16. Mind, Body, Spirit    17. Religion / Judaism / General   

Reviews (5)

Amazed
I am amazed at the beauty and sensitivity contained in this book.Everyone should read it.

Life Journey
Diane offers several suggestions for how to read her book, Torah Yoga.My choice has been to read and reread the introduction.I love Diane's emphasis on first things: the word, the breath, attending to the foundation before moving into postures and finding the origins of our life journeys. A beautifully written and interesting book...
Raised as a Presbyterian, a competitive swimmer, and a mathematician (order not important), I am not naturally drawn either to spiritual mysticism or yoga.This beautifully written and interesting book, however, has helped me to understand how one could be drawn to those things.My thanks to the author, who obviously cares very deeply about her subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Consumer Health    3. Hatha Yoga    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Jewish Law    7. Judaism    8. Judaism - General    9. Meditations    10. O.T    11. Pentateuch    12. Prayerbooks - Jewish    13. Religious aspects    14. Self-realization    15. Spiritual life    16. Yoga    17. Family & Health    18. Health & Fitness / Yoga   

Reviews (4)

Amazing the authour can be so ignorant in Jewish Meditation
... to the extent he declares it non-existent and tries to inject in the buddhist practices...
Be Still and Get Going:A Jewish Meditation Practice for Real Life
Very thought-provoking!Good specifics on how to accomplish a positive meditation regimen and what results/benefits to expect.An easy read; not overly technical.

A bit ahead of it's time
Houston Smith andPhilip Novak describeSiddharta Gautama, the first Buddha, in their book about Buddhism."Perhaps the most striking thing about him was his combination of a cool head and a warm heart, a combination that shielded him from sentimentality on one hand, and indifference , on the other... Every problem that came in his way, was subjectedto cool, dispassionate analysis. He was a master of dialogue and dialectic, and calmly confident. The remarkable fact was the way this objective criticalcomponent of his character was balanced by a ... tenderness so strong, as to have had his message to be subtitled "a religion of infinite compassion." "
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Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - General    4. Meditation    5. Meditations    6. O.T    7. Prayerbooks - Jewish    8. Religion    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Spiritual life    11. Religion / Spirituality   

Subjects:  1. Judaism    2. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    3. Judaism - Sacred Writings    4. Liturgy    5. Prayerbooks - Jewish    6. Religion    7. Religion - Judaism    8. Siddurim    9. Texts   

Reviews (8)

Best Book About Old Testament Prophetic Ministry
After pastoring for 20 years and being very familiar with the prophetic ministry outlined in the New Testament, most writers from the Christian venue look at Old Testament prophets as exeptional men and women who were one of a kind.They almost seem like the prophetic ministry was only obtainable by a select few.This book, fortunately not written by modern Christian theologians, but written by Rabbi Kaplin looks at the prophets and how they obtained their ministry by breaking down the Hebrew scripture and points us toward the prophetic life and the meditation of the prophetic school.I would highly recommend this book to both my Jewish and Christian brother's and sisters, because it sheds new light on a topic that many hunger to understand.

Fine Contribution
The late Aryeh Kaplan was a Rabbi, scholar, and Kabbalist.In addition to his valuable and readable commentaries on Sefer Yetzirah and Sefer Bahir, he wrote three books on meditation.The other two are: "Meditation and Kabbalah" and "Jewish Meditation."From a practical perspective, "Jewish Meditation" is far and away the best, however, reading the other two provides one with a more inclusive, theoretical background and context within which to practice.This volume is quite valuable and a contribution to both meditation per se and to Bible study.I'd put it in the middle of the 3 in value, if forced to choose.It's rare to find an author who is both scholar and practitioner, so Kaplan's books on meditation and on Kabbalah are particularly valuable and accessible to the reader.Of course, they are not introductory books--of which there are innumerable versions in bookstores.It helps to have a solid background in the basics before tackling Kaplan's texts.But it isn't essential."Kaplan's texts are appropriate to both the serious student and the serious practitioner of meditation and of Kabbalah.

"Meditation for Fun and Prophet"
The lore is that Rabbi Kaplan, the author, died at the tender age of forty-six because G-d felt Kaplan had exposed enough of His secrets and decided it was time to recall this particular soldier.This book does nothing to undermine that hypothesis.Rabbi Kaplan, arguably the most prolific, cogent, and accessible of writers on Jewish esoterica and mysticism, explores how the Torah's Prophets used meditation as a tool to foster their prescience.The book also serves as an incisive gloss on aspects of the Torah, explicating the esoteric meaning underlying various elements of it.The section on Psalm 119 alone is worth the price of the book.Kaplan's objective in all of his works is to get at the heart of Judaism, to use the form to understand the substance.Meditation and The Bible is an important part of his oeuvre.Irrespective of one's religion, this book instils the sense that the reader is being let in on secrets of The Bible previously unknown to all except true Initiates, whoever they might be.Add it to your Kaplan collection.If you don't have a collection of his other books, this should inspire you to start one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabala    2. Doctrines    3. General    4. Judaism    5. Judaism - Kabbalah & Mysticism    6. Meditation    7. New Age    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. Prayerbooks - Jewish    10. Prophets   

Editorial Review

For readers who wish to learn about Jewish prayer, Read more

Reviews (5)

A help to better prayer
There are a number of good books on the subject of Jewish Prayer. Seth Kadish's ' Kavvana' perhaps does most to explain the actual problems a Jew faces in praying in the proper way. There are books by Haim Donin, by Rabbi Munk who provides great insight into the meaning of the prayers, by many others. Rabbi Steinsaltz is a great Talmid Chacham and his work provides a most detailed explanation of the meaning of prayer and of various individual prayers. I have read parts of the work and learned from them . I highly recommend this work for all those who would know its meaning in a richer way.

For those who wonder why
This is a largely a how-to book written by a Jew for primarily a Jewish audience. The primariy focus is on the order of prayer as used through the use of a Siddur. I found the background to why certain traditions exist interesting (my primary motive for reading it), but found the many chapters devoted to what order certain aspects are performed on what occasions taxing. In fairness, this is primarily because I'm not Jewish, not because of the writing. However, for the Jewish person wondering why they do certain things at certain times, this book will prove to be very educating.
excellent guide
As most books of Even-Israel (or Steinsaltz) this is a highly readable book, clearly explaining the traditions and regulations of prayer. Read it once to get a basic grip, and then keep it as a reference work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - History    2. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    3. Prayerbooks - Jewish    4. Religion    5. Religion - Judaism    6. Judaism    7. Religion / Judaism / Beliefs, Practices, Rituals   

Reviews (2)

A explication of the ' Shmoneh Esreh'
This work centers on the central part of Jewish prayer,the Shmoneh Esreh, or Amidah. These are eighteen actually nineteen blessings said in the three daily prayers of the weekday service. The authors provide a clear and insightful description of the meaning of each of the blessings. They discuss the meaning of the words, the relation of each blessing to others, the theme of the prayer, and its historical background.
A well written and thought provoking work.
I have to admit, I at first purchased this book because the author had the same last name as mine! After reading it, though, I found much of the content extremely enlightening.As an orthodox Jew, I pray a lot--threetimes a day to be exact! Having literature that focuses on the sheer art ofprayer is tremendously helpful.All too often we say words bereft of anymeaning or clearity.This book examines the seemingly "mundane"verses by uncovering their historical and cultural significance.Irecommend this book not only to fellow synagogue attenders but to anyonecurious about the Jewish religion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - Theology    2. Prayerbooks - Jewish    3. Religion - Judaism    4. Judaism    5. Religious rites & ceremonies   

Reviews (13)

Quite uplifting.
I read this book at a rather appropriate time, seeing as I'm writing my thesis regarding the treatment of Jews in post World War II Los Angeles this coming semester.I found the stories sweet and uplifting, or moving and intriguing.It's a quick read, and an enjoyable one.Some stories were a bit schmaltzy, a little too saccharine, but for the most part they were quite good.

A heartwarming collection of tales to soothe the soul and lift the spirit.
"Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul" is almost redundant; Jewish chicken soup was the original cure-all in the first place! This collection of 101 stories is divided into several thematic units that demonstrate the power and beauty of Judaism in the synagogue and in our daily lives. Sections include To Life, Being A Jew, On Love and Kindness, Our Common Humanity, Family, The Holocaust, Insights and Lessons, Eclectic Wisdom, and a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms.
Cried the entire time!
This is a really heartwarming book.The stories here really get to you. My husband is almost done reading, it and he thinks the stories are amaizing.We recommend it to everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Atheism    3. Inspirational    4. Inspirational - General    5. Interpersonal relations    6. Jewish way of life    7. Judaism    8. Judaism - General    9. Prayerbooks - Jewish    10. Religion    11. Religious aspects    12. Spiritual life    13. History / Jewish   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (3)

Great introduction to Jewish Prayer
Several years ago, I had the privilege of hearing Rabbi Hoffman speak at a convention I attended. He was a personable and dynamic speaker and he writes as compellingly as he speaks. Rabbi Hoffman is a Reform rabbi but, he views Jewish prayer from all perspectives, including traditional. He gives compelling reasons to pray as a Jew. Although many of the traditional prayers approach G-d as an anthropomorphic deity (a view of G-d that Hoffman rejects), Rabbi Hoffman nonetheless sees a great benefit to the Jewish liturgy since the traditional service requires that we pray together as a community. This unifying force of tradition makes Judaism the communal religion that it is. Although modern movements in Judaism make some changes to the liturgy to accomodate current understandings of theology, Rabbi Hoffman sees the benefits of traditional Jewish prayer while still supporting changes that are evolutionary, not drastic. A major example is refering to G-d in sexually neutral terms rather than describing G-d as a male.
A welcome addition to the growing library of Judaic Studies
The Way Into Jewish Prayer by Lawrence A. Hoffman (Professor of Liturgy Worship and Ritual, Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College) provides the reader with an accessibly informative introduction into the reasons for Jewish personal and ritual prayer, and the manner in which these prayers are performed. The six articulated chapters comprising this superbly presented instructional volume include "God and the Jewish People: To Whom Jew Pray"; "Prayer as Discipline and as Art: How Prayer Works"; "The Synagogue Sanctuary: What's What and Why It Is So"; "The Community at Prayer: Who's Who and What They Do"; "The Ideas of Jewish Prayer: What Matters Most"; and "A Prayerful Person at Home and on the Way: When the Ordinary Can Be Sacred". Enhanced with Notes, a Glossary, Suggestions for Further Reading, and an extensive Index, The Way Into Jewish Prayer is a welcome addition to the growing library of Judaic Studies, and is especially commended to the attention of Jewish and Non-Jewish readers seeking to better understand the traditions, meaning, and role of prayer in Judaism.
Everything you always wanted to know about Jewish prayer
If you have never prayed as a Jew - and even if you have - this book is for you.The Way Into Series, designed as a 14 volume introduction to Judaism, hits its stride with this offering.Rabbi Hoffman offers a lucid and compelling reason to pray as a Jew.Going well beyond explaining the prayers (he writes other books about that, such as the My People's Prayer Book series), he explains about the Jews' relationship to God, as expressed through prayer.Rabbis, laity and interested readers who want to know about Judaism and prayer will find this book an indispensible volume. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - General    2. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    3. Prayerbooks - Jewish    4. Religion    5. Religion - Judaism    6. Judaism    7. Worship   

Reviews (5)

Prayer as the service of God
In their introduction to this volume the authors distinguish between the prayer of the practicioneers of Lurianic Kabbalah and the prayer of the Hasidic masters featured here. The complicated symbolism and learning of the Kabbalists is contrasted with the simplicity and directness of Hasidic prayer. The Kabbalists are opening complicated locks with hidden keys, while the Hasidic masters are smashing the lock open with their own broken hearts. The Kabbalists are focusing on some cosmological tikkun of the world as a whole, while the Hasidic masters are focusing on individual devekut individual clinging and attachment to God. The excerpts given here can help the reader realize that service of God which is the holy essential duty of every Jew.

Your Word is Fire - Is A Spiritural Retreat
The authors have managed to create in this small volume a source book of meditation. The words of the Hasidic Masters have carefully been selected in such a way that each page is a meditation. Your Word is Fire - Is A Spiritural Retreat
The Authors have managed to create in this small volume a source book of meditation. The words of the Hasidic Masters have carefully been selected in such a way that each page is a meditation.Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemplation    2. Hasidism    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - General    5. Judaism - Hasidism    6. Prayer    7. Prayerbooks - Jewish    8. Religion    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Oriental & Indian philosophy   

Reviews (1)

Healing of Soul Offers & Insight & Wisdom
Rabbi Simkha Weintraub's book offers a remarkable window into the world ofhealing Psalms.Gentle, forthright, spiritual and practical, each of thecommentators discovers the message of the Psalm for today's contemporaryreader.Simultaneously uplifting, thoughtful, and inspiring, it is aliving text for Jews and non-Jews, those who are living with pain andillness and those who love them.Easily accessible, it is a companion foranyone who seeks comfort and guidance to deal with life's most challengingmoments.It is a beautiful book and testimony to the enduring human spiritand wisdom of the ancient words of tradition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Devotional    3. Humor    4. Jewish meditations    5. Judaism    6. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    7. Prayerbooks - Jewish    8. Religion    9. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    10. Spiritual healing    11. Spiritual life    12. Topic - Religion    13. Christian liturgy, prayerbooks & hymnals    14. Popular psychology   

Reviews (3)

A siddur I love
Once the Birnbaum siddur was the standard siddur for most Orthodox congregations. I remember it well from my childhood. I have a great affection for its ' clean and clear' look. There is a beauty in just seeing the Hebrew letters. I on occasion still davven with the Birnbaum synagogue. I have never thought of it this way but I suppose it adds a dimension in feeling , a kind of memory of past prayers, the worlds of my childhood.
Pocket edition of Ha-Siddur Ha-Shalem
Ha-Siddur ha-Shalem is a very good basic siddur.It has some good and not so good features I would like to share with others who are considering this siddur. An excellant "heart" book
I first discovered this book sitting in a dusty corner of my parents book shelf and fell in love immediately. the way this siddur is worded reaches the spirit and draws the mental out of evey day affairs. It does notdistinguish prayers in bold or italics because "no one prayer is anymore important than the next prayer. An most wonderful, fulfilling siddurI've seen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism    2. Prayerbooks - Jewish    3. Religion   

Reviews (1)

Inspiring, comforting meditations for all faiths
"My Father, My King" is written by a rabbi and uses Hebrew terms, but its message is appropriate for all faiths. The book consists of 119 meditations, each focusing on a specific problem or circumstance common to us all. Among these topics are "Healing," "Every Life Situation is a Test," "Patience," "Miracles," and "Freedom From Anger." Rabbi Pilskin writes the meditations as if the Father were speaking to His children, and adds the thoughts of Torah scholars through the ages. Although I am not Jewish, I love this book. It has an uncanny knack for answering my need of the moment, whatever that need might be. I highly recommend it, especially if you're in need of a little spiritual comfort or direction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - Theology    2. Prayerbooks - Jewish    3. Religion    4. Religion - Judaism