Jewish Liturgy: A Comprehensive History [Hardcover]

Ismar Elbogen (Author), Raymond P. Scheindlin (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0827604459 | ISBN-13: 978-0827604452

A joint publication of The Jewish Publication Society and the Jewish Theological Seminary

The definitive work on the subject of Jewish liturgy, Ismar Elbogen’s analysis covers the entire range of Jewish liturgical development—beginning with the early cornerstones of the siddur, through the evolution of the medieval piyyut tradition, to modern prayer book reform in Germany and the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This first English translation of a monumental and classical study of Jewish liturgy was drafted from the Hebrew edition (1972) but compared with the 1931 German edition and revised to reflect Scheindlin's understanding of Elbogen's intentions. Although scholarship has advanced since Elbogen wrote, much of the book is still relevant. It provides the best detailed description of each service of the Jewish liturgy, including daily, sabbath, and festival forms, while explaining Torah reading, sermon, and poetic additions. An important addition to most libraries.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Hardcover: 500 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society (January 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827604459
• ISBN-13: 978-0827604452
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book of its kind, in such depth and scholarship., November 11, 2002

By 

R. Kaiser (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jewish Liturgy: A Comprehensive History (Hardcover)

This is not a book for beginners. If you want an introduction to Jewish prayer, see "Entering Jewish Prayer" (Reuven Hammer) or "To Pray As a Jew" (Hayim Halevy Donin). This book is, in contrast, is the most thorough academic study of the Jewish liturgy ever written. Originally published in German in 1913, and subsequently updated in a number of Hebrew editions, the latest edition now has been translated into English by Prof. Raymond P. Scheindlin. This study covers the entire range of Jewish liturgical development, beginning with the early cornerstones of the siddur; through the evolution of the medieval piyyut tradition; to modern prayerbook reform in Germany and the United States.

The only problem is that it doesn't deal with the liturgy of Conservative Judaism. To learn more about that one should consult the introduction to "Siddur Sim Shalom", edited by Jules Harlow, and the introduction to "Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and festivals", edited by Leonard Cahan, and the section on liturgy in the CD-ROM version of the "Encyclopedia Judaica".