To Life! L'Chaim!: Prayers and Blessings for the Jewish Home

by Michael Shire and Rabbi Michael Shire

Book Overview

This illustrated guide to prayers and blessings is a jewel for the Jewish home. Rabbi Michael Shire's diverse selection from such treasured texts as the Sabbath prayer book, the Haggadah, and the Talmud shares timeless words to commemorate the significant moments in our lives: the observances of the Jewish calendar; the rites of passage that mark the cycle of life; as well as the simple pleasures of the everyday. Gloriously adorned with illuminations...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811829642
• ISBN13: 9780811829649
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.1" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Useful

If you are Jewish and need a beautiful book that gives you the most important daily and holiday prayers -- or if you are not Jewish and would like to know more about Jewish ritual -- this is a beautiful book to own. The blessings contained here come in three categories: cycle of life prayers (for fertility and new life, conversion, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, commitment and mourning); the Jewish calendar (prayers for the new moon, shabbat, and all the major holidays); and daily prayers (of thanksgiving, upon doing good deeds, for meditation and for healing). The paper is high quality art stock, and the volume is filled with gorgeous renderings of ancient and medieval manuscript illustrations. This is a perfect book for the Jewish home, and a perfect introduction to Jewish liturgy, for those who are simply curious. --Alyssa A. Lappen

A Wonderful Book and Terrific Gift Choice

A wonderfully written and illustrated volume. A must have for any Jewish Home. Also, a perfect gift!

truly excellent

I was fortunate to discover this book while on vacation recently. This can be warmly recommended not only to members of the Jewish faith but also to Christians - like myself - and anyone who takes a serious interest in Judaism. It offers blessings and prayers for all the significant observances and celebrations of the Jewish liturgical calendar, as well as milestone events in Jewish life. I found the selected readings from the Psalms were heartwarming and inspired. Its overall presentation is exemplary. In spite of its relatively modest size, it is substantial.Any open-minded and curious potential buyer should not hesitate to purchase this book.

A great addition to any Jewish home!

This book is a beautiful combination of art and prayer that makes a wonderful addition to any Jewish home. It's a great engagement gift or an anytime gift really. The prayers are beautifully translated and I think that it provides a great foundation for home-centered rituals and traditions. It's a great addition to any Jewish home!

Beautiful blessings

I discovered this gem of a book when I was looking for blessings I could use at home. The blessings, prayers and meditations are moving and very usable. The book itself is beautiful, with the medieval illustrations and the look of the pages. When I read it I feel as if I have been taken back in time, when books as an art form were valued. As a rabbi, I am often in search of books of blessings I can recommend to congregants looking for something they can use that will enhance their personal lives at work or home. This is definitely that book. I love it, and congregants have loved it too.