The Jewish Holidays: A Guide and Commentary (Hardcover)

by Michael Strassfeld (Author), Arnold M. Eisen (Author) "Passover (Pesah), which celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, begins on the fifteenth of the month of Nisan and continues for seven days,..." (more)
Key Phrases: full festival day, partial hallel, removing hametz, Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This is a delightful, interesting, evocative, uesful, and occasionally outragous book that fills a real need." -- Rabbi Richard J. Israel --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
The coeditor of the enormously popular Jewish Catalog "help[s] readers understand more fully the meaning of our holidays and thereby to observe these festivals . . . with a greater devotion and joy."--Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (March 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060912251
• ISBN-13: 978-0060912253
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #471,307 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #58 in

  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Holidays

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable guide to Jewish Holiday traditions & practices, May 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jewish Holidays (Paperback)

I encountered this book as a text for a course on Jewish practices at Spertus Institute of Jewish studies in Chicago. At first glance the simple illustrations and outline seemed too basic to be useful for a serious student. However the discussion of each holiday, both major and minor, provide an extensive explanation of the practices involved in observance of that holiday and the religious principles and philosophy behind each tradition. Also of great help is the margin commentary provided on the text by five different scholars, increasing the breadth and balance of opinion necessary to such a subject. I have found this book of great help in attempting to learn about and return to the faith of my ancestors. I have given my previous copy to a new member of my synagogue who wishes to convert to Judaism and am buying another one for myself.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our standard Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gift, June 9, 2002

By	+ "mom-of-four" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jewish Holidays (Paperback)

This is our standard Bar and Bat Mitzvah gift, which has come in handy this year since one of our children is at the age where there is a simcha every weekend. It is accessible for the kids at this age, and will offer more as they keep it on the bookshelf for adulthood. The production values are nice, and the whole thing neither looks nor sounds (in tone) "too heavy," though in fact the book is thorough and serious. It also works for recipients of all points along the continuum of observance.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Details On The Holidays, February 7, 2002

By	G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Jewish Holidays (Paperback)

The Jewish Holidays by Michael Strassfeld gives a fairly comprehensive summary of the major Jewish Holidays. It describes the rituals for kashering a kitchen and preparing for Passover,the varying interpretations during the Omer Period. Much of the meanings behind the holidays are explained as well as some history. Changes over the course of time are explained as well as variations between different Jewish Communities. A nice read which is effective if not overly exciting.