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This examination of universalism and particularism in Judaism seeks answers to the complex question, "Why be Jewish?" It explores the universalistic definition of the Jews' historic destiny, the role Jews must play simply by virtue of being human, and Judaism's part in helping Jews play that human role with uniquely Jewish passion and commitment.

The most memorable prayer of the Jewish New Year¿what it means, why we sing it and the secret of its magical appeal. Lively commentaries explore why Kol Nidre remains a liturgical highlight, regularly attended even by those who disbelieve the content.

Contributors from across the spectrum of Jewish life chart the importance of the Thirteen Attributes of God. They explore the kind of God Jews meet in prayer and the consequent self-reflection about the human condition that Judaism recommends on the basis of its idealized image of God as, above all, merciful and gracious.

N'ilah, "the closing of the gates" is, in many ways, the most anticipated worship service in the entire Jewish calendar. Coming at the end of the 24-hour fast that characterizes Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), it symbolizes the days of old when the gates of the ancient Temple closed at last, and with them, the last chance for prayers of atonement and reconciliation with God and with others. Nowadays, the synagogue service that replaced the Temple cult marks the occasion with heightened fervor: the only time all year when the gates of the ark that houses the Torah scroll remain open throughout the service; telltale melodies accompany the occasion; a final blast of the shofar (the ram's horn) symbolizes the end of the fast and the new beginning that follows; special prayers celebrate the human capacity to create a life that matters beyond our own mortality -- and the presence of God who "reaches out a hand" to invite us into the new Jewish year that N'ilah's final shofar blast inaugurates.All of this is the topic for volume eight in "Prayers of Awe," the series devoted to exploring the depth of the Jewish High Holy Days. As with prior volumes, this one too comes with introductory essays on the history, theology, and deeper meaning behind the prayer experience. It then assembles some 40 short and accessible essays designed to unlock the mystery and depth of the occasion. Authors come from all walks of life - clergy and laypeople, scholars and artists, men and women across the generations - and from seven countries (Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Israel, the UK and USA).What music appreciation is to classical music, this series on prayer is to Jewish worship. This volume, in particular, explores Judaism's timeless message of divine purpose and the ongoing search for meaning in a world of human frailty but also promise.

An illuminating in-depth exploration of the complexities-and perhaps audacity-of naming the unnameable.One of the oldest and most beloved prayers-known even to Jews who rarely attend synagogue-is Avinu Malkeinu ("Our Father, Our King"), a liturgical staple for the entire High Holy Day period. "Our Father, Our King" has resonance also for Christians, whose Lord''s Prayer begins "Our Father."Despite its popularity, Avinu Malkeinu causes great debate because of the difficulties in thinking of God as father and king. Americans no longer relate positively to images of royalty; victims of parental abuse note the problem of assuming a benevolent father; and feminists have long objected to masculine language for God.Through a series of lively introductions and commentaries, almost forty contributors-men and women, scholars and rabbis, artists and thinkers from all Jewish denominations and from around the world-wrestle with this linguistic and spiritual conundrum, asking, "How do we name God altogether, without recourse to imagery that defies belief?"Contributors:Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson ΓÇó Rabbi Anthony Bayfield ΓÇó Rabbi Will Berkowitz ΓÇó Dr. Annette Boeckler ΓÇó Dr. Marc Brettler ΓÇó Dr. Erica Brown ΓÇó Rabbi Angela Buchdahl ΓÇó Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove ΓÇó Rabbi Joshua Davidson ΓÇó Rabbi Lawrence Englander ΓÇó Lisa Exler ΓÇó Rabbi Paul Freedman ΓÇó Rabbi Elyse Frishman ΓÇó Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand ΓÇó Rabbi Edwin Goldberg ΓÇó Rabbi Andrew Goldstein ΓÇó Dr. Joel M. Hoffman ΓÇó Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman ΓÇó Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur ΓÇó Rabbi Elie Kaunfer ΓÇó Rabbi Karen Kedar ΓÇó Rabbi Reuven Kimelman ΓÇó Rabbi Daniel Landes ΓÇó Liz Lerman ΓÇó Rabbi Asher Lopatin ΓÇó Catherine Madsen ΓÇó Rabbi Jonathan Magonet ΓÇó Rabbi Dalia Marx ΓÇó Chazzan Danny Maseng ΓÇó Ruth Messinger ΓÇó Rabbi Charles H. Middleburgh ΓÇó Rabbi Jay Henry Moses ΓÇó Rabbi Jack Riemer ΓÇó Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin ΓÇó Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso ΓÇó Rabbi Marc Saperstein ΓÇó Rabbi Jonathan P. Slater ΓÇó Rabbi David Stern ΓÇó Rabbi David Teutsch ΓÇó Dr. Ellen Umansky ΓÇó Edward van Voooen ΓÇó Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig ΓÇó Dr. Ron Wolfson ΓÇó Rabbi Daniel Zemel ΓÇó Dr. Wendy Zierler

An engaging and sobering look at memorializing in Judaism and why memory-ours and God''s-is so central to people.Through a series of lively introductions and commentaries, over thirty contributors-men and women, scholars, rabbis, theologians and poets, representing all Jewish denominations-examine the history and ideas behind Yizkor, the Jewish memorial service, and this fascinating chapter in Jewish piety.Featuring the traditional prayers-provided in the original Hebrew and a new and annotated translation-this fourth volume in the Prayers of Awe series explores the profound theological questions at the core of this service and our own humanity: What happens to us after we die? Is there really an afterlife? Does our fate after death depend on the goodness with which we have pursued our earthly life? And more.Prayers of Awe: A multi-volume series designed to explore the High Holy Day liturgy and enrich the praying experience for everyone-whether experienced worshipers or guests who encounter Jewish prayer for the very first time.Contributors:Yoram BittonDr. Annette M. BoecklerDr. Marc Zvi BrettlerRabbi Lawrence A. Englander, CM, DHLRabbi Edward FeinsteinRabbi Solomon B. Freehof, PhD (z"l)Dr. Eric L. FriedlandRabbi Shoshana Boyd GelfandRabbi Edwin Goldberg, DHLRabbi Andrew Goldstein, PhDDr. Joel M. HoffmanRabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhDRabbi Walter Homolka, PhD, DHLRabbi Delphine HorvilleurRabbi Karyn D. KedarRabbi Daniel LandesCatherine MadsenRabbi Jonathan Magonet, PhDRabbi Dalia Marx, PhDRabbi Charles H. Middleburgh, PhDRabbi Jay Henry MosesRabbi Aaron D. Panken, PhDRabbi Jakob J. Petuchowski, PhD (z"l)Rabbi Jack RiemerRabbi Sandy Eisenberg SassoRabbi David SternRabbi David A. Teutsch, PhDRabbi Margaret Moers Wenig, DDDr. Ron WolfsonRabbi Daniel G. ZemelDr. Wendy Zierler