Friday Night and Beyond

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful Book
Review: My only regret about this book is that we didn't purchase it sooner. My wife and I are on the path of becoming more observant. We bought and read several Shabbos books before we found this one. The other books were o.k., but none came close to combining inspiration and instruction in such a pragmatic manner as Lori Palatnik is able to do. I strongly recommend this wonderful book to anyone wanting to learn and embrace the how's and why's of a traditional Jewish Shabbat.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for almost anyone
Review: This book provides exactly what the title advertises: a step-by-step guide through the Shabbat experience, from Friday night through the end of the day on Saturday. Whether you already keep Shabbat, or you are someone seeking to learn more about Jewish religious observance, this book will make Shabbat a more meaningful and spirtual experience.

Ever wondered what beginning Shabbat dinner with Shalom Aleichem is all about? Kiddush? Grace after meals? What about that washing of the hands before Hamotzi? Or, maybe you are curious about WHAT to do, not just why? This book answers all of these questions and more.

Indeed, for each ritual or step in the Shabbat experience, the book provides the what, how, and why. The author even includes the full text of prayers (in English, Hebrew, and transliteration) for both before and after the meals. Also included in each section of the book are first person antecdotes describing various individuals' personal stories behind their endeavors to observe particular rituals.

I highly recommend this book, especially for those who want to-the-point explanations of specific Shabbat rituals, including for those interested in learning what to do, and how to do it.

I now use the book to refresh myself on particular rituals so that I can share their meanings with Shabbat guests, making both mine and their Shabbat experiences more meaningful.

As an aside, the book would make a great gift for that friend or family member who keeps talking about wanting to learn about or "do more" on Shabbat but who feels overwhelmed by the prospect of having to catch-up years of not learning about Judaism. It certainly helped me in that regard.

Rating:
Summary: Shabbat is within YOUR reach...
Review: This is the book for those of us for whom BEING Jewish isn't enough. This book is a wonderful introduction to DOING Jewish... the rituals that have kept Judaism going through the centuries.

If you worry that keeping Shabbat is beyond you, just dig into this book, written just for you by a woman who is much-loved here in her former hometown of Toronto (and much-missed now that she's moved down to Florida).