By The Sweat Of Their Brow

by Tzemah Yoreh

This book is my attempt to add some spice to the food we eat. Jewish liturgy is very stingy on blessings before eating (focusing much of its energy on blessings after eating), and I’ve always wanted to rectify this lacuna. The book is intended for anyone who wishes that there were more food blessings reflecting contemporary values (or more food blessings period). Here you’ll find my original poetic compositions in Hebrew, introduced and translated (creatively) into English with notes for people who want to delve more deeply into their meaning. If some of these poems strike a chord, great! If none of the poems speaks to you, I still hope and pray that upon reading them you become mobilized to compose prayers that are as meaningful to you as these are to me.

76 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2013

About the author

Tzemah Yoreh is one of the intellectual leaders of Jewish humanism and the head of the City Congregation in New York city. He attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he obtained his Ph.D. in biblical criticism in 2004. He earned a second Ph.D. in Ancient Wisdom Literature from the University of Toronto for the joy of studying ancient text. As a community leader on the spectrum, he is a passionate advocate for the inclusion of the neuro-atypical in the Jewish community and beyond.