5769 2008-2009 |
ENCOMPASSING NUMEROUS DIMENSIONS, the holidays open the entire spectrum of Jewish life and thought to us. Through the progress of the Jewish year, we are exposed to who we are as individuals and what we are as a nation. We see what happened to us, how we are supposed to behave and the long-term reasons behind our actions. The full cycle runs the gamut of emotion and style of celebration. Within a context of recurring themes (exile and redemption, todays' reality and tomorrow's perfection, creating justice and ensuring continuity), each holiday presents its own history lesson, moral message and opportunity for personal growth. In enjoyable and engaging ways, the Jewish year encases the treasured legacy that is your and your children's rightful inheritance. This book is designed to help you use that legacy to enrich your life and your family's life today, and bequeath it to your descendants for tomorrow--as your ancestors did for you. In previous generations it was the Jewish, not the universal Gregorian, calendar that defined the passage of a Jew's life. According to it a Jew would sow and reap, rejoice and weep. Public events were set on Hebrew dates, birthdays and anniversaries remembered in reference to them. Through the rhythm of the Jewish year, our grandparents and great-grandparents and their forebears learned to live as Jews. If you observe a year of holidays, you will also know what it means, and how to be, Jewish. So come join the celebration. . . .who put the prune in the prune hamantaschen... . . .why we practice the holiday rituals... . . .what cheese dishes have to do with Shavuot... . . .when we experience the most joyous time of the year... . . .where women are specially honored on Chanukah... . . .how to infuse a "same old" holiday with new meaning and excitement... ??? |
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