The Complete How To Handbook For Jewish Living: Three Volumes in One [Paperback]

Kerry M. Olitzky (Author), Ronald H. Isaacs (Author), Dorcas Gelabert (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This comprehensive guide answers a multitude of questions on Jewish rituals and customs: the basic prayers and blessings and information on baking challah bread, lighting the Shabbat candles, blowing the shofar, and conducting the Passover seder. Rabbi Olitzky and Rabbi Isaacs give instructions on visiting the sick, dancing the hora, eating kosher food, observing the Hebrew calendar, choosing a religious school and synagogue, and putting up a mezuzah. Information on the order of the prayer service, marriage and divorce, the Rashi script, and the 613 biblical commandments is followed by a "how-to" section dealing with such topics as explaining death to children and honoring the memory of the deceased. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 563 pages
• Publisher: Ktav Pub Inc (June 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881258385
• ISBN-13: 978-0881258387
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Shulchan Aruch for our Time, September 24, 2007

By 

Geoffrey W. Dennis (Flower Mound, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete How To Handbook For Jewish Living: Three Volumes in One (Paperback)

This delightfully useful book (the compilation of three earlier handbooks) provides handy, easy to follow 2-3 page explanations of virtually every significant Jewish ritual and custom; everything from lighting a hanukiyah (Hanukka menorah) and building a sukkah to writing your own theology and interpreting your dreams using Jewish tradition. Often the instructions include helpful diagrams and illustrations. As a bonus, there are numerous little entries of useful information, such as lists of all the books in the Bible, major cities in Israel, and how the Jewish lunar calendar works. An entirely worthwhile book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Jewish quick reference guide I've used, February 15, 2011

By 

BAR "BAR" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete How To Handbook For Jewish Living: Three Volumes in One (Paperback)

I used the first edition of this book when I was teaching very young students in Sunday School, for the concise presentation of the essential facts of a given observance. I am a modern Conservative Jew with Lubavitch schooling, so while I do 'know my stuff' I don't always remember everything. This book is an invaluable resource for parents and teachers, students, and anyone seeking a quick understanding of basic Jewish practice and observance.