Entering the High Holy Days provides historical background and an interpretation of the ideas, practices, and the liturgy of Judaism’s High Holy Days, giving them contemporary relevance. This classic guide to the most important days of the Jewish year was a recipient of the 1998 National Jewish Book Award.
The High Holy Days’ have their foundations in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Hence, their liturgies and rituals are rife with Scriptural allusions and influences. Their origins can be traced to the books of Leviticus, Isaiah, Job, Psalms and numerous other books throughout the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. With Entering the High Holy Days, you can deepen your understanding of both the significance and the contemporary observance of these important parts of the Biblical narrative.
The High Holy Days – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – are for many Jews the highlight of the Jewish year. However, the liturgies for these “Days of Awe” are the longest and most complex of the High Holidays. This often leaves a large number of attendees without a complete understanding of the occasion's significance. Entering the High Holy Days remedies this by presenting in-depth explanations of the themes, prayers, and other elements of the services.
