Customer Reviews

All about Yom Kippur

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This book is not just for the 4- to 8-year-old set, but for older children who get tired at long Yom Kippur services.

During the afternoon break between services one can read children portions from this lovely book. It explains in simple terms why we need the new beginning offered by the High Holidays of Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur. It also distinguishes between the things for which God can forgive us, and the things that can only be forgiven by the wronged person.

The book includes four short Midrashim, which help to convey the healing message of Yom Kippur.

My favorite is the tale of the young boy whose father takes him to the synagogue, where he listens all day to the prayers and singing. Not knowing how to pray, he plays on his flute. His father becomes angry with him. But the Rabbi says, "All Yom Kippur I have prayed so hard that our sins might be forgiven. But I felt that my prayers were not heard. When your little boy played on his flute, I knew at once the gates of heaven had opened."

The book includes several prayers, too, in Hebrew, transliteration and translation. These are child-sized Hadlikat Nerot (candle lighting blessings), Hamotzi (blessing on the Challah), Birkat Hamazon (blessing after the meal), Birkat Habanim (blessing of the children) and Neilah (with the Shema). Alyssa A. Lappen