As For Me MY PRAYER: A commentary on the daily, Shabbat & Festival Prayers

by Nissan Mindel

In arranging the structure of our daily prayers, the Sages selected Biblical and Talmudic passages that would evoke and articulate one`s deepest religious feelings, to convey the sublime outpouring of the heart and inspire the cleaving of the soul to G-d. At the same time, they include texts that express the basic truths and tenets of Judaism, from elementary moral and ethical values to the highest concept of Monotheism as proclaimed in the Shema. Volume one provides a profoundly illuminating commentary on the morning, afternoon and evening prayers, on Grace After Meals and the Prayer Before Retiring to Bed. A comprehensive introduction explores the deeper, often mystical, content of the daily prayers. Volume two is devoted to the Shabbat prayers. A short yet incisive Introduction explores the unique nature of Shabbat. Shabbat and Festivals are days of spiritual rest and regeneration, when everyone has the opportunity to take an unhurried contemplative approach to prayer. The Shabbat and Yom Tov prayers will assume a new and rich dimension in the light of this comprehensive study. The two-volume reissue of this classic work has been completely redesigned beautifully ensconced in a gift-worthy slipcase. Volume two includes additional previously unpublished material, including short essays on Sefirat HaOmer, the Festivals and High-Holiday prayers, Tashlich and Kapparot, Blessing of the New Moon, Eiruv Tavshilin, the Priestly Blessing, Shoshanat Yaakov, Akdamot and Pidyon Haben.

Genres: Judaism

417 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2018

About the author

RABBI DR. NISSAN MINDEL was born in Riga, Latvia in 1912 and was educated in European yeshivos, among them the prestigious Torah V’Derech Eretz - of the Shamshon Rafael Hirsch tradition. He received his rabbinic ordination from noted Rabbonim in Manchester, England and served there as associate Rabbi in the Holy Law Congregation.

He studied law and economics at the University of Manchester in England, which he graduated with B.A. and M.A. and also received a degree in Semitic languages. In 1962 he earned a PHD in philosophy from Columbia University in New York, with his groundbreaking translation of the Tanya to English.

Dr. Mindel was associated with the Chabad Lubavitch movement from 1938-1999. During these very productive six decades he merited to serve the two Rabbeim – Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson and his successor and Seventh Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson – as personal secretary responsible for their correspondence in several languages, as their emissary on numerous missions and as prolific writer of Chassidic literature for young and old. He was also a founding member of the three pillers of Chabad - Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machaneh Yisrael and Agudas Chassidei Chabad.

His writings have spanned the gamut from children’s magazines which he edited for forty seven years to Chabad philosophy for the serious scholar.

Dr. Mindel is perhaps best known for his translation of the Tanya kaddisha to English, an extraordinary achievement which opened the study of chassidus to the world at large. Another translation of his was the Memoirs of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson. Among his many writings are included: monthly children’s magazines - Talks and Tales (English) and Shmuessen Mit Kinder (Yiddish), the Complete Story of Tishrei and the Festival Series, My Prayer, The Storyteller Series, Our People Series (history of the Jewish People), Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi – Biography & Philosophy of Chabad. His works have been translated to many languages and have enjoyed many printings and wide acclaim.

Dr. Mindel’s elegant and lucid writing on many vital topics of Jewish interest has earned him universal appeal and a respected place among the Jewish writers of the twentieth century.