A Jewish Woman's Prayer Book

by Aliza Lavie

Hardcover, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

296.45082

Collection

Publication

Spiegel & Grau (2008), Hardcover, 448 pages

Description

This anthology of prayers written for and by Jewish women draws from a variety of Jewish traditions, through the ages, to commemorate every occasion and every passage in the cycle of life, from the mundane to the extraordinary. This elegant volume includes special prayers for the Sabbath and holidays and important dates of the Jewish year; prayers to mark celebratory milestones, such as bat mitzvah, marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth; and prayers for comfort and understanding in times of tragedy and loss. Each prayer is presented in Hebrew and in an English translation, along with commentary on its origins and allusions. Culled from a wide range of sources, both geographically and historically, this collection testifies that women's prayers were--and continue to be--an inspired expression of personal supplication and desire.--From publisher description.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member LarsonLewisProject
A compelling collection of Jewish women's private devotions compiled by a political scientist at Bar-Ilan University. An expanded translation of 2005's Tefillat Nashim, this work focuses on events of importance in the lifecycle of Jewish women, as well as the major holidays. Most texts are in
Show More
Hebrew and English, with the occasional addition of a Yiddish text. The sources for the prayers are not exclusively Ashkenazi - Sephardic communities and traditions are well represented.

There have been books of Jewish women's prayers and devotions for several centuries. However, these were often little known outside of their communities of origin, published privately, or in limited distribution (with some exceptions, such as Fanny Neuda's devotional book). "A Jewish Woman's Prayer Book" attempts to address this question, as well as including some humanistic and universal prayers alongside more traditional and/or conservative wording. it is accessible to scholars and layfolk alike and the bibliography is an excellent starting point for researchers wishing to go further with the topic. The book should be in general release by Nov. 2008 and would be a good choice for both individual and institutional purchases.

- S. Larson Lewis 3 NOV 2008
Show Less

Awards

National Jewish Book Award (Winner — 2008)

Language

Similar in this library

Page: 0.5573 seconds