Publisher Description

As Rosh Hashanah ends and you look ahead to Yom Kippur, what do you think about? The familiar melody of Kol Nidre? The long hours of fasting? The days of self-examination? You know that the Day of Atonement is the holiest on the Jewish calendar, but sometimes it just feels long, tiresome and devoid of personal meaning. The readings in this book are for anyone seeking a deeper level of personal reflection and spiritual intimacy - and a clearer understanding of just what makes Yom Kippur so holy. Drawn from a variety of sources - ancient, medieval, modern, Jewish and non-Jewish - this selection of readings, prayers and insights explores the opportunities for inspiration and reflection inherent in the themes addressed on the Day of Atonement: sin, forgiveness, repentance, spiritual growth and being at one with self, family, community and God. These readings enable you to enter into the spirit of Yom Kippur in a personal and powerful way while they uplift and inform. They will add to the benefits of your High Holy Day experience year after year.

Author Biography

Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins is widely recognised for his ability to inspire and inform Jewish audiences as a lecturer, educationalist and author. He has written widely for the Jewish and general press and is the author of thirty-five books for Jewish group leaders. Rabbi Elkins is Rabbi Emeritus of The Jewish Center of Princeton, New Jersey and a former member of the committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly and the Council for Jewish Education.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xviiIntroduction xixFirst Reflections 1Kol Nidre—Our Vows and Promises 15Sin 27Forgiveness 63Hear, O Israel: God, Love and Learning 85Avinu Malkenu 105Roots and Themes from the Torah 111T'shuvah, T'fillah, T'zedakkah (Repentance, Prayer and Acts ofRighteousness) 145Faith and Beliefs 171Yizkor—In Memoriam 183Martyrology 203The Service of the High Priest: In the TempleTimes and Today 227Yom Kippur Customs 241Jonah and Human Responsibility 267Closing the Gates 287Next Year in Jerusalem 303Sources 313About the Contributors 325Credits 332

Review

"From Kol Nidre to N'eilah, from wearing a kittel to the Book of Jonah; and, from teachers and texts ranging from Art Green to Leo Tolstoy, from Merle Feld to Marge Piercy, from Arnold Eisen to Albert Einstein, from Heschel to Baeck, and from Midrash to (of course) Anonymous—they're all there! Elkins gives us the complete Yom Kippur meditative experience. Smuggle it in with you along with (or instead of) your mahzor!"—Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, coauthor of Filling Words with Light: Hasidic and Mystical Reflections on Jewish Prayer and many other books on spirituality"Prepares the heart and mind for prayer. In it are sermons in parables, insights in poetry, wisdom in tales and commentaries in anecdotes."—Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, author of Conscience: The Duty to Obey and the Duty to Disobey"If you want to spend Yom Kippur (or the months leading up to it) in the company of some of the best Jewish spiritual writers of our time, this is the book for you. Amidst the beautiful and wise passages collected here, you are sure to find something to open your heart."—Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, coauthor of Judaism for Two: A Spiritual Guide for Strengthening & Celebrating Your Loving Relationship"Full of wonderful material that will deepen the Yom Kippur experience for rabbis and their communities. An ever-flowing spring of thoughts and prayers to help us approach Yom Kippur with meaning, creativity, soulfulness and blessing."—Rabbi Naomi Levy, spiritual leader of Nashuva and author of To Begin Again and Talking to God"Like a spring that courses through the desert, there are life-giving waters here. Beneath the surface gleam scattered gems from great teachers, to nourish the spirit during the Days of Awe."—Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva, editor of Broken Tablets: Restoring the Ten Commandments and Ourselves"Those seeking meaning for living from Judaism will find this High Holy Day anthology of teachers and texts from every walk of Jewish life offers spiritual nourishment for every Jewish home."—Rabbi Goldie Milgram, author of Meaning & Mitzvah: Daily Practices for Reclaiming Judaism through Prayer, God, Torah, Hebrew, Mitzvot and Peoplehood"Provocative…. Stressing in straightforward language the themes of Yom Kippur, this will be valuable to laymen who want to prepare for that day. The wide variety of impressive sources, ancient and mostly modern, confront us with what should be our serious concerns on that day (and on other days) in the framework of our lives."—Rabbi Jules Harlow, editor and translator of Mahzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and author of Pray Tell: A Hadassah Guide to Jewish Prayer"Filled with inspirational readings that are profound, and that will challenge and ignite the mind and heart alike…. Will deepen the High Holy Day experience for every reader."—Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy and The Book of Jewish Values

Long Description

A powerful collection of writings about Yom Kippur that will add spiritual depth and holiness to your experience of the Day of Atonement. As Rosh Hashanah ends and you look ahead to Yom Kippur, what do you think about? The familiar melody of Kol Nidre? The long hours of fasting? The days of self-examination? You know that the Day of Atonement is the holiest on the Jewish calendar, but sometimes it just feels long, tiresome and devoid of personal meaning. The readings in this book are for anyone seeking a deeper level of personal reflection and spiritual intimacy--and a clearer understanding of just what makes Yom Kippur so holy. Drawn from a variety of sources--ancient, medieval, modern, Jewish and non-Jewish--this selection of readings, prayers and insights explores the opportunities for inspiration and reflection inherent in the themes addressed on the Day of Atonement: sin, forgiveness, repentance, spiritual growth, and being at one with self, family, community and God. These readings enable you to enter into the spirit of Yom Kippur in a personal and powerful way while they uplift and inform. They will add to the benefits of your High Holy Day experience year after year.

Review Quote

"From Kol Nidre to N'eilah, from wearing a kittel to the Book of Jonah; and, from teachers and texts ranging from Art Green to Leo Tolstoy, from Merle Feld to Marge Piercy, from Arnold Eisen to Albert Einstein, from Heschel to Baeck, and from Midrash to (of course) Anonymous-they're all there! Elkins gives us the complete Yom Kippur meditative experience. Smuggle it in with you along with (or instead of) your mahzor!" -Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, coauthor of Filling Words with Light: Hasidic and Mystical Reflections on Jewish Prayer and many other books on spirituality "Prepares the heart and mind for prayer. In it are sermons in parables, insights in poetry, wisdom in tales and commentaries in anecdotes." -Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, author of Conscience: The Duty to Obey and the Duty to Disobey "If you want to spend Yom Kippur (or the months leading up to it) in the company of some of the best Jewish spiritual writers of our time, this is the book for you. Amidst the beautiful and wise passages collected here, you are sure to find something to open your heart." -Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, coauthor of Judaism for Two: A Spiritual Guide for Strengthening & Celebrating Your Loving Relationship "Full of wonderful material that will deepen the Yom Kippur experience for rabbis and their communities. An ever-flowing spring of thoughts and prayers to help us approach Yom Kippur with meaning, creativity, soulfulness and blessing." -Rabbi Naomi Levy, spiritual leader of Nashuva and author of To Begin Again and Talking to God "Like a spring that courses through the desert, there are life-giving waters here. Beneath the surface gleam scattered gems from great teachers, to nourish the spirit during the Days of Awe." -Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva, editor of Broken Tablets: Restoring the Ten Commandments and Ourselves "Those seeking meaning for living from Judaism will find this High Holy Day anthology of teachers and texts from every walk of Jewish life offers spiritual nourishment for every Jewish home." -Rabbi Goldie Milgram, author of Meaning & Mitzvah: Daily Practices for Reclaiming Judaism through Prayer, God, Torah, Hebrew, Mitzvot and Peoplehood "Provocative.... Stressing in straightforward language the themes of Yom Kippur, this will be valuable to laymen who want to prepare for that day. The wide variety of impressive sources, ancient and mostly modern, confront us with what should be our serious concerns on that day (and on other days) in the framework of our lives." -Rabbi Jules Harlow, editor and translator of Mahzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and author of Pray Tell: A Hadassah Guide to Jewish Prayer "Filled with inspirational readings that are profound, and that will challenge and ignite the mind and heart alike.... Will deepen the High Holy Day experience for every reader." -Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy and The Book of Jewish Values

Details