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The Book of Jewish Customs

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This work includes more than just customs, rather, p. 10: "This book is meant to be a clarifying explanation of many of those expressions, practices, symbols, signals, actions, & customs that are still heard & practiced today. It is meant to be a reference & resource work for those commonly seen but not commonly explained segments & aspects of contemporary Jewish life." While citing appropriate canonical sources, it also states that p. 7: "Custom cancels canon." It's chapters include: stages of life (birth & youth, marriage, & death), signs/symbols/rituals, superstitions/folklore, the word of God, Special Times (holidays), worship/prayer, rabbis/sages, food/eating, & words/phrases/expressions/language. The author includes translations, etymologies (sometimes several for an entry), personal reflections, etc. The author usually points out usages in terms of denomination. It is very easy reading & many of the pages have little typing on them. There is an 8-page index for using it as a reference. Many Yiddish & Hebrew words are transliterated--sometimes with varying dialects. It's very useful for someone returning to previously overlooked or ignored roots.