From Publishers Weekly
Countless Passover haggadot guide readers through the seder, explaining ancient rituals and customs. This one goes a step further by asking readers to first prepare their hearts for Passover, recovering the spiritual nature of the holiday. In the same way that Jews clean their houses from attic to basement before Passover, Olitzky advocates a rigorous cleansing of the soul, as followers rid themselves of spiritual hametz and make themselves holy. The guidance doesn't stop when the seder meal has been cleared away; the closing chapter provides suggestions on the transition between Passover and Shavuot, helping readers to move from redemption to revelation.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Passover, a highlight of Jewish ritual observance, celebrates the release of the Jews from bondage in Egypt and their passage to freedom. The haggadah combines story, song, and commentary to retell this passage and serves as the guide for the observance. Olitzky, a rabbi in the Reform stream of American Judaism and a prolific author of religious texts (e.g., The How-To Handbook for Jewish Living) here offers an excellent accompaniment to the haggadah. He seeks to educate those who are interested in Judaism but have little or no background. This volume takes the reader by the hand, explains the text, and plumbs it for spiritual and religious meaning in hopes of preparing the heart for this important festival. This well-written book enhances observance by explaining and giving added depth to traditional material. Suitable for general collections on spirituality, this book is also appropriate for general public libraries with a significant number of Jewish patrons seeking spiritual material. Idelle Rudman, Touro Coll. Lib., New York
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
