A powerful collection of writings about Yom
Kippur that will add spiritual depth and holiness to your
experience of the Day of Atonement.
As Rosh Hashanah ends and you look ahead
to Yom Kippur, what do you think about? The familiar melody of Kol Nidre? The
long hours of fasting? The days of self-examination? You know
that the Day of Atonement is the holiest on the Jewish
calendar, but sometimes it just feels long, tiresome and devoid
of personal meaning. The readings in this book are for anyone
seeking a deeper level of personal reflection and spiritual
intimacy—and a clearer understanding of just what makes
Yom Kippur so holy.
Drawn from a variety of
sources—ancient, medieval, modern, Jewish and
non-Jewish—this selection of readings, prayers and
insights explores the opportunities for inspiration and
reflection inherent in the themes addressed on the Day of
Atonement: sin, forgiveness, repentance, spiritual growth, and
being at one with self, family, community and God. These
readings enable you to enter into the spirit of Yom Kippur in a
personal and powerful way while they uplift and inform. They
will add to the benefits of your High Holy Day experience year
after year.
“Share[s] wisdom and inspiration for the holiday.... Reflect[s] a great diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.”
—New York Jewish Week
“From Kol Nidre to N’eilah, from
wearing a kittel to the Book of Jonah; and, from teachers and texts
ranging from Art Green to Leo Tolstoy, from Merle Feld to Marge
Piercy, from Arnold Eisen to Albert Einstein, from Heschel to
Baeck, and from Midrash to (of course)
Anonymous—they’re all there! Elkins gives us the complete
Yom Kippur meditative experience. Smuggle it in with you along
with (or instead of) your mahzor!”
—Rabbi
Lawrence Kushner, coauthor of Filling Words with Light: Hasidic and Mystical
Reflections on Jewish Prayer and
many other books on spirituality
“Outstanding ... highly recommended.... Makes an important point of discussion for both families and classes surveying Yom Kippur’s ongoing meaning and history.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Prepares the heart and mind for
prayer. In it are sermons in parables, insights in poetry,
wisdom in tales and commentaries in anecdotes.”
—Rabbi
Harold M. Schulweis, author of Conscience: The Duty to Obey and the Duty to Disobey
“An excellent companion to the Yom Kippur mahzor ... and should be a welcome companion to the synagogue service.... Meaningful and inspirational readings can be found on any page.”
—Cleveland Jewish News
“If you want to spend Yom Kippur (or
the months leading up to it) in the company of some of the best
Jewish spiritual writers of our time, this is the book for you.
Amidst the beautiful and wise passages collected here, you are
sure to find something to open your heart.”
—Rabbi
Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, coauthor
of Judaism for Two: A Spiritual
Guide for Strengthening & Celebrating Your Loving
Relationship
“Invaluable.... Designed to inspire, inform, and nourish contemplation.”
—Spirituality & Health
“Full of wonderful material that
will deepen the Yom Kippur experience for rabbis and their
communities. An ever-flowing spring of thoughts and prayers to
help us approach Yom Kippur with meaning, creativity,
soulfulness and blessing.”
—Rabbi
Naomi Levy, spiritual leader of
Nashuva and author of To Begin
Again and Talking to God
“A timely collection of readings to give added meaning to the Yom Kippur prayers.... Will enhance our Yom Kippur worship regardless of whether we are confused by the rituals and prayers or know them well.”
—New Jersey Jewish News
“Like a spring that courses through
the desert, there are life-giving waters here. Beneath the
surface gleam scattered gems from great teachers, to nourish
the spirit during the Days of Awe.”
—Rabbi
Rachel S. Mikva, editor of Broken Tablets: Restoring the Ten Commandments
and Ourselves
“Inspirational, informative and thoughtful texts for Jews around the many themes associated with the holiest day of the Jewish year.”
—Union of Liberal & Progressive Synagogues Newsletter
“Those seeking meaning for living
from Judaism will find this High Holy Day anthology of teachers
and texts from every walk of Jewish life offers spiritual
nourishment for every Jewish home.”
—Rabbi Goldie Milgram, author of Meaning
& Mitzvah: Daily Practices for Reclaiming Judaism through
Prayer, God, Torah, Hebrew, Mitzvot and Peoplehood
“Provocative…. Stressing in
straightforward language the themes of Yom Kippur, this will be
valuable to laymen who want to prepare for that day. The wide
variety of impressive sources, ancient and mostly modern,
confront us with what should be our serious concerns on that
day (and on other days) in the framework of our
lives.”
—Rabbi
Jules Harlow, editor and translator
of Mahzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur and author of Pray Tell: A Hadassah Guide to Jewish Prayer
“A complete experience that makes one want to read it instead of the mahzor! Every possible aspect of Yom Kippur is discussed.... A lovely gift of the season.”
—National Jewish Post & Opinion
“Filled with inspirational readings
that are profound, and that will challenge and ignite the mind
and heart alike…. Will deepen the High Holy Day
experience for every reader.”
—Rabbi
Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy and The Book of Jewish Values
“Offers something for everyone. Reading selections from this text throughout Yom Kippur can add to its spirituality and make it more meaningful.”
—Ottawa Jewish Bulletin
