Why be Jewish?
A fascinating dialogue across denominations of the High Holy Days and their message of Jewish purpose beyond mere survival.
Almost forty contributors from three continents—men and women, scholars and poets, rabbis and theologians, representing all Jewish denominations and perspectives—examine the tension between Israel as a particular People called by God, and that very calling as intended for a universalist end, furthering God's vision for all the world, not just for Jews alone. This balance of views arises naturally out of the prayers in the High Holy Day liturgy, coupled with insights from philosophy, literature, theology and ethics.
This fifth volume in the Prayers of Awe series provides the relevant traditional prayers in the original Hebrew, alongside a new and annotated translation. It explores the question "Why be Jewish?" in a time when universalist commitment to our planet and its people has only grown in importance, even as particularist questions of Jewish continuity have become ever more urgent.
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:
- Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL
- Rabbi Tony Bayfield, CBE, DD
- Rabbi Will Berkovitz
- Dr. Annette M. Boeckler
- Dr. Erica Brown
- Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander, CM, DHL, DD
- Rabbi Lisa Exler
- Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand
- Rabbi Laura Geller
- Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, DHL
- Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, PhD
- Dr. Joel M. Hoffman
- Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD
- Rabbi Walter Homolka, PhD, DHL
- Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, DHL
- Rabbi Reuven Kimelman, PhD
- Dr. Mark L. Kligman
- Rabbi Noa Kushner
- Rabbi Daniel Landes
- Rabbi Asher Lopatin
- Catherine Madsen
- Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, PhD
- Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD
- Ruth Messinger
- Rabbi Charles H. Middleburgh, PhD
- Rabbi Jay Henry Moses
- Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum
- Rabbi Jack Riemer
- Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, DMin
- Rabbi Marc Saperstein, PhD
- Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso, DMin
- Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, DMin
- Rabbi Jonathan P. Slater, DMin
- Rabbi David A. Teutsch, PhD
- Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig, DD
- Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel
- Dr. Wendy Zierler
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.
This set of essays begins with the suggestion that the word "all," when used in the high holiday liturgy, is meant to universalize the prayers to be applicable and inclusive of all humanity. From that proposal, a diverse group of scholars proceed to explore many aspects of the High Holiday prayers, as well as some prayers that are recited year-round, such as the Prayer for the State of Israel. Rabbis from Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Orthodox streams are all represented among the authors. While the prayers are a jumping off point for the essays, the exploration of universalism vs. particularism in Judaism branches out from there. There are most definitely some gems of thought and interpretation in this volume. Notes. Glossary.
