All the World: Universalism, Particularism and the High Holy Days - Prayers of Awe

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references.; Rosh Hashanah is just one of two surviving Jewish new years from antiquity, the other being the month in which Passover falls. The two are exactly six months apart, proper symbolism of the age-old Jewish struggle to balance two contrasting principles: universalism and particularism. Passover's central theme is the particularistic tale of the Jewish People released from servitude in Egypt to fulfill its historic destiny. The message of Rosh Hashanah, by contrast, is the universalistic definition of that destiny, the role that every Jew must play simply by virtue of being human, and the role of Judaism in helping Jews play that role with proper passion and commitment. This interweaving of a universalistic purpose to Israel's mission along with the particularistic affirmation that Israel has such a mission in the first place occurs throughout the High Holy Day liturgy, particularly in the prayers represented in this fifth volume in the Prayers of Awe series. The title, All the World, derives from a famous translation of an early medieval poem that is part of the new year liturgy. It is juxtaposed to other prayers of a universalistic nature, particularly Uv'khen, literally, And therefore, a regular addition to the central Jewish prayer, the Amidah. And therefore launches the ultimate Jewish question: What's the point of it all, which is to say, And therefore, what? It combines the particularistic concern for Israel as a People called by God with the universalistic proclamation that Israel is called for universal ends--; Provided by publisher.; Includes some prayers in Hebrew with parallel English translations. Review Quotes: 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. Another superb collection from Jewish Lights to help worshippers be inspired during the High Holy Days. Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD, has served for more than three decades as professor of liturgy at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He is a world-renowned liturgist and holder of the Stephen and Barbara Friedman Chair in Liturgy, Worship and Ritual. His work combines research in Jewish ritual, worship and spirituality with a passion for the spiritual renewal of contemporary Judaism.--Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins "Jewish Media Review ""Brief Description: "Rosh Hashanah is just one of two surviving Jewish new years from antiquity, the other being the month in which Passover falls. The two are exactly six months apart, proper symbolism of the age-old Jewish struggle to balance two contrasting principles: universalism and particularism. Passover's central theme is the particularistic tale of the Jewish People released from servitude in Egypt to fulfill its historic destiny. The message of Rosh Hashanah, by contrast, is the universalistic definition of that destiny, the role that every Jew must play simply by virtue of being human, and the role of Judaism in helping Jews play that role with proper passion and commitment. This interweaving of a universalistic purpose to Israel's mission along with the particularistic affirmation that Israel has such a mission in the first place occurs throughout the High Holy Day liturgy, particularly in the prayers represented in this fifth volume in the Prayers of Awe series. The title, All the World, derives from a famous translation of an early medieval poem that is part of the new year liturgy. It is juxtaposed to other prayers of a universalistic nature, particularly Uv'khen, literally, "And therefore," a regular addition to the central Jewish prayer, the Amidah. "And therefore" launches the ultimate Jewish question: What's the point of it all, which is to say, "And therefore, what?" It combines the particularistic concern for Israel as a People called by God with the universalistic proclamation that Israel is called for universal ends"--Publisher Marketing: Rosh Hashanah is just one of two surviving Jewish new years from antiquity, the other being the month in which Passover falls. The two are exactly six months apart, proper symbolism of the age-old Jewish struggle to balance two contrasting principles: universalism and particularism. Passover's central theme is the particularistic tale of the Jewish People released from servitude in Egypt to fulfill its historic destiny. The message of Rosh Hashanah, by contrast, is the universalistic definition of that destiny, the role that every Jew must play simply by virtue of being human, and the role of Judaism in helping Jews play that role with proper passion and commitment. All the World combines the particularistic concern for Israel as a People called by God with the universalistic proclamation that Israel is called for universal ends. It assembles some forty contributors scholars, rabbis, artists and thinkers from Canada, France, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, the UK and USA to launch the crucial discussion of what the High Holy Days have to say about universalism and particularism in Judaism." Contributor Bio:  Hoffman, Rabbi Lawrence a, PhD Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD, a leader in the transformation of Judaism in America, is professor of liturgy at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion. He is the editor of the ten-volume My People's Prayer Book: Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries series, winner of the National Jewish Book Award, and the Prayers of Awe series; and coeditor of My People's Passover Haggadah: Traditional Texts, Modern Commentaries, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. He has written and edited over thirty books. Contributor Bio:  Hoffman, Lawrence A, Rabbi Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD, has served for more than three decades as professor of liturgy at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He is a world-renowned liturgist and holder of the Stephen and Barbara Friedman Chair in Liturgy, Worship and Ritual. His work combines research in Jewish ritual, worship and spirituality with a passion for the spiritual renewal of contemporary Judaism. He has written and edited many books, including "All the World: Universalism, Particularism and the High Holy Days; May God Remember: Memory and Memorializing in Judaism "Yizkor, We Have Sinned: Sin and Confession in Judaism Ashamnu" and "Al Chet, "Who by Fire, Who by Water "Un'taneh Tokef and "All These Vows" Kol Nidre, the first five volumes in the Prayers of Awe series; the My People's Prayer Book: Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries series, winner of the National Jewish Book Award; and he is coeditor of "My People's Passover Haggadah: Traditional Texts, Modern Commentaries" (all Jewish Lights), a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. Rabbi Hoffman is a developer of Synagogue 3000, a transdenominational project designed to envision and implement the ideal synagogue of the spirit for the twenty-first century. Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD, is available to speak on the following topics: A Day of Wine and Moses: The Passover Haggadah and the Seder You Have Always WantedPreparing for the High Holy Days: How to Appreciate the Liturgy of Rosh Hashanah and Yom KippurThe Essence of Jewish Prayer: The Prayer Book in Context and Worship in Our TimeBeyond Ethnicity: The Coming Project for North American Jewish IdentitySynagogue Change: Transforming Synagogues as Spiritual and Moral Centers for the Twenty-First CenturyClick here to contact the author.