A Guide to Jewish Prayer

by Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, Rebecca Toueg (Translator)

From one of the world's most famous and respected rabbis—"a practical explanation of Jewish worship from a spiritual slant" ( Detroit Free Press).


For both the novice and for those who have been engaged in prayer for years, here is the one guide needed to practice Jewish prayer and understand the prayer book. From the origins and meaning of worship to a step-by-step explanation of the daily prayers to the reason you're not supposed to chat with your friends during services, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz answers many of the questions likely to arise about Jewish prayer. Here are chapters on daily prayer; Sabbath prayer; prayer services for the holidays; the yearly cycle of synagogue Bible readings; the history and makeup of the synagogue; the different prayer rites for Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Yemenites, and other cultural/geographic groupings; the role of the rabbi and the cantor in the synagogue; and the role of music in the service.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Judaica, Religion, Nonfiction, Prayer

464 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2000

About the author

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (Hebrew: עדין שטיינזלץ) or Adin Even Yisrael (Hebrew: עדין אבן ישראל) is internationally regarded as one of the leading rabbis of this century. The author of many books, he is best known for his monumental translation of and commentary on the Talmud. Rabbi Steinsaltz founded the Israel Institute for Talmudic Publications. Under its aegis, he has published to date 58 books on the Talmud, Jewish mysticism, religious thought, sociology, historical biography, and philosophy. He teaches at Mayanot in Jerusalem. In 1988, he was awarded the Israel Prize, Israel's highest honor. He has received honorary Ph.D. degrees from Yeshiva University, Bar Ilan University, and Ben Gurion University.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was all halaḥah (all the whats, wheres, whens and hows). Trouble is I was looking for more the whys.

The historical background of the evolution of Jewish prayer and the small parts on the ritual objects and music were very interesting. However, the breaking apart of the various services was based on the assumption that you know what these prayers are to begin with. You would then have gotten more out of the variations between the different rites. However, there is a lot of this group does this and this group does that, but some also do this and others do another thing (much like learning French diction, so many rules and yet so many exceptions that the rules are meaningless). Text examples of the prayers would also have been helpful. Also the author would say things like "there are mystical reasons for this" and then would never elaborate on what those mystical reasons are, so it seemed to have a dismissive air at times.

But it was interesting enough, and good to have on the shelf for reference.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for a hasidic understanding of prayer. The Introduction is worth the price of the book. For a straight guide to the siddur and Jewish synagogue ritual, I prefer Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin's To Pray as a Jew.

[Lissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting, but a bit above my level. I felt at times that I needed a companion to give a beginner's level explanation. It was also a bit more in-depth in the minutiae than I would have liked.

[carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

steinsaltz's practical approach with explanation is invaluable to understanding jewish prayer.

[Linus Merchant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reference for all as I think everyone can glean something from this book. Not a book I recommend reading cover to cover - but great to read in sections or for looking up topics of interest.

[Joshua Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insanely detailed.