August 18, 2010
Rosh Hashanah books
Rosh Hashanah is about three weeks away so if you want to get inspired better start buying a few books to digest before the Days of Awe arrive.
Here are a few picks for Rosh Hashanah books:
Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Survival Kit by Rabbi Shimon Apsidorf
This is a must-have for those people who don’t understand or dislike the high holidays. Apsidorf is engaging in his explanations and demonstrates the wisdom and joy of the high holiday to the uninitiated.
Rosh Hashanah Readings: Inspiration, Information And Contemplation by Dov Peretz Elkins
This 368-page tome from Jewish Lights Publishing comprises a variety of readings from throughout Jewish history. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin praised the book, saying it would “deepen the high holiday experience for every reader.”
This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation by Rabbi Alan Lew
Lew, who died last year at age 65, was known for bringing a sense of Zen spirituality to his Jewish teachings. In this book, he begins his discussion of the high holidays with Tisha B’Av and the month of Elul. He doesn’t actually reach Rosh Hashanah until the sixth chapter but that’s a good thing. Lew helps you appreciate the high holiday season, not just the days you need to take off from work.
Mahzor/Machzor Lev Shalem – New Gender Neutral Conservative High Holiday Prayerbook for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
The new high holiday prayerbook from the Rabbinical Assembly contains a gender neutral translation and commentaries for explaining the prayers. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, more than 150,000 copies have been pre-sold.
The Complete Artscroll Machzor Rosh Hashanah (Artscroll Mesorah)
This is the quote-unquote official machzor of Jewish Literary Review because it’s the one that I use every year at my Conservative synagogue with a traditional bent. Although, I’ll be curious to see if we bought the new gender-neutral ones from the Rabbinical Assembly.
Looks like there will be a little intrigue at services this year.
Got more tips for great Rosh Hashanah books? Leave em in the comments below.
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I own Dov Peretz Elkins book, and highly recommend it. Irefer to it often.
I also own The Complete Artscroll Rosh Hashanah.