The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Life-Cycle Events [Hardcover]

Nina Beth Cardin (Author), Ilene Winn-Lederer (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This intelligently crafted guide to Jewish living likens the fabric of Judaism to a tapestry woven of communal celebration and personal spirit. Cardin, a Conservative rabbi in Baltimore, explores the structure of Jewish time and its ability to lead us to the sacred, by weaving together history, Jewish law, legend, practice, ritual both ancient and contemporary and suggestions for celebration. What distinguishes this comprehensive handbook is Cardin's imaginative, poetic language and her inspiring willingness to share intimate experiences in her own life, from her husband's illness to her young son's declaration that he wanted to be a Christian. Cardin compares the onslaught of the daily world to being in a bakery too long ("the smell is still there, but we no longer notice") and suggests that Jewish patterns of prayer, blessings and sacred deeds "help us remain conscious of the artistry of everyday living." Part I features 14 Jewish holidays, including Shabbat and Rosh Hodesh (the New Month), while Part II elaborates on life-cycle observances, from birth and bar mitzvah to marriage and death. Cardin explains concepts and offers instructions clearly but not simplistically, enriching the text with snippets of ethical wills, memories, women's prayers, blessings and "personal weavings" (blank pages to be detailed with the reader's own observances). Meticulously researched and filled with tidbits of practical information, the book reads like a conversation with an intuitive friend. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin is the Director of Jewish Life at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore, and the Chair of the Editorial Committee of Sh'ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility. She was the editor of Sh'ma from 1993 to 1998, and Director of the National Jewish Healing Center in New York City from 1995 to 1997. She lives in Baltimore with her husband, Rabbi Avram Reisner, and their children.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 307 pages
• Publisher: Behrman House; 1ST edition (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874416450
• ISBN-13: 978-0874416459
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Holidays

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This tapestry is more than a welcome mat, October 26, 2000

By 

Sue Levi Elwell (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Life-Cycle Events (Hardcover)

Nina Beth Cardin's Tapestry of Jewish Time is a beautifully written, carefully researched and wonderfully inclusive exploration of the celebrations and commemorations of the Jewish year and the cycles of Jewish life. In a prose style that beckons every reader, regardless of religious background, orientation, or affilitation, Rabbi Cardin explores the richness of Jewish tradition and the introduces a range of innovations that can deepen the joy of living Jewishly. She invites us into a world of practice that becomes a source of delight, illuminating history, explaining symbolism, and opening door after door into the calendar of Jewish living. Cardin writes with sensitivity to and a clear sense of celebration of the diversity of today's Jewish families and Jewish communities. This book belongs in every Jewish home. You will return to it again and again throughout the days of your life for direction, enlightenment and the pleasure of Cardin's beautiful prose.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource, October 31, 2000

By 

"evlenore" (NEW YORK, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Life-Cycle Events (Hardcover)

This book is beautifully written and provides easy to understand information about the Jewish holidays and life cycle events. The reader learns about the traditional ways holidays are celebrated and is introduced to innovative rituals and observances. The author encourages readers to make notes throughout and also offers the opportunity to record ideas and reactions in the personal weavings section at the end. The Tapestry of Jewish Time is a great resource for individuals and families.

5.0 out of 5 stars Eloquent Inspiration, September 14, 2009

By 

Marsha O. (S. Dartmouth, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Life-Cycle Events (Hardcover)

When I needed a resource to create a D'var Torah on the subject of Jewish time for our Sisterhood meeting, I was delighted to find this wonderful book, The Tapestry of Jewish Time. Not only did it present a comprehensive look at the Jewish calendar and life-cycle events, but it also addressed the issue of how we view time, whether we let it dictate our lives or whether we make choices to shape our lives in an effort to make ourselves holier and our world a better place. Rabbi Cardin's style of writing is eloquent, yet completely relatable. She offers so many interesting, inspiring quotations from many different sources in a beautiful, very readable format. It even includes a chapter with prayers and rituals for the home and a section to record your own important "personal weavings." It's the kind of book you want to discuss with others and return to again and again for thoughtful insight.