Customer Reviews

A Jewish Woman's Prayer Book

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't let the title "A Jewish Woman's Prayer Book" stop you from buying this book. Normally that title would describe a book that is used to follow during a daily or Shabbat prayer service. But this is not a "prayer service" book. This is an intensive study by Dr. Lavie to uncover women's prayers to fit all manners of situations over the centuries: prayers written by women, prayers in ancient and modern books that were often recited by women. Many of the prayers were not previously incorporated into prayer books, rather they were handed down through the generations from mother to daughter. It is important to note that this book of women's prayers has meaning also for men and impacts the lives of Jews and non-Jews. This powerful book is a must read.

I love this book because it has so much history and tells you where the prayers come from, often who wrote them and why, and what situation they were in when each one was written. Some of the prayers are translations or alternate versions of standard prayers found in standard siddurim. Each prayer is written in English, and then the facing page is either Hebrew or Yiddish or Ladino! Beautifully written, beautifully collected, something to cherish and pass down to the young ladies in the family! I have been using this to extend my regular prayers, and to extend my own conversations with HaShem. Prayers for joyous occasions, troubling times, daily thoughts, etc. are all included.

There is even a beautiful, short Haggadah written on toilet paper during the holocaust by a concentration camp victim, slipped to another woman just before the author passed on! Even the way this book came about is beautiful...you really should read the inside cover.

This is a beautiful book to add to anyone's Judaic collection. It is written in both Hebrew and in English. I purchased copies as gifts for some special women in my life. No matter how observant the readers are, they will be moved by the poetic beauty, historic commentary, and inspiration of the prayers that apply to many life cycle events.

I bought three copies--for my wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law. All three are using it regularly. Plus, they are strongly recommending it to others.
A wonderful addition to any woman's religious texts/sources.

How great to have a new resource for Jewish Women's Studies that has the Hebrew text included! it also provides a fresh take on Jewish holidays and other areas of Jewish life for those of us addressing them from a woman's perspective. Rabbi Amy Bernstein

I bought this book as a gift for my wife and she has enjoyed reading these timeless prayers along with the historical explanations of who wrote them and why they were written.

This is perfect for almost any woman that has an interest in prayer and not having to follow the set format of a service or is too busy to. It covers just about any situation and is written in both Hebrew and English so that you can pray in English especially of you don't understand Hebrew well. I recomend this as a gift at any occation for someone who has interests in Jewish thoughts.

My wife bought this prayer book for herself and she absolutely loves it!!! She has been giving it to all of the woman in her life. The prayers are very beautiful and heartfelt.