You are not signed in. Sign in.

List Books: Buy books on ListBooks.org

The Jewish Home: A Guide for Jewish Living »

Book cover image of The Jewish Home: A Guide for Jewish Living by Daniel B. Syme

Authors: Daniel B. Syme
ISBN-13: 9780876688250, ISBN-10: 0876688253
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Aronson, Jason Inc.
Date Published: April 1994
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Find Best Prices for This Book »

Author Biography: Daniel B. Syme

Book Synopsis

In The Jewish Home, Rabbi Daniel B. Syme offers us a clear, concise, and beautifully written guide to Jewish family life. Using a question-and-answer format, Rabbi Syme explains the history, significance, and meaning of the Jewish holidays and important rituals.

Table of Contents

Forewordvii
Acknowledgmentsix
Introductionxi
1.The Mezuzah1
2.Shabbat3
Shabbat Candles3
The Friday Night Shabbat Kiddush5
The Shabbat Challah7
Blessing One's Children on Shabbat8
Shabbat Havdalah10
3.Rosh HaShanah14
An Unusual New Year14
Customs and Symbols16
4.Yom Kippur20
5.Sukkot27
Some Historical Background
The Sukkah28
The Lulav and the Etrog30
Hoshana Rabbah, Sh'mini Atzeret, Simchat Torah32
6.Chanukah38
Some Historical Background38
Ceremonies, Symbols, Customs41
7.Tu BiSh'vat45
8.Purim49
The Story and the Message49
The Celebration53
9.Pesach57
Some Background57
Chameitz60
Matzah62
The Seder Table64
The Seder67
The Haggadah69
Some Little-Known Facts71
10.Lag BaOmer75
11.Shavuot80
12.Tishah B'Av85
13.B'rit Milah, B'rit HaChayim90
B'rit Milah: Some Historical Background90
B'rit Milah: Preparations and Participants94
B'rit Milah and B'rit HaChayim: The Ceremony96
14.Names101
Some Background101
Some Jewish Teachings, Superstitions, and Favorites104
15.Rites of Passage108
Pidyon HaBen: Redemption of the Firstborn Son108
Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Some Historical Background111
Celebrating Bar/Bat Mitzvah113
Confirmation117
16.The Jewish Wedding121
Some Biblical History121
Some Talmudic Background124
The Institution of the Shadchan127
Preparations for the Wedding in Times Gone By130
The Chuppah and the Ring134
The Ketubah136
The Modern Ceremony139
The Modern Ceremony, Part Two142
The Modern Ceremony, Part Three145
17.The Jewish Divorce149
Some Biblical History149
Divorce in the Talmud151
The Rights and Responsibilities of Husband and Wife153
The Get156
18.Death and Mourning159
The Moment of Death159
Preparing the Body for Burial162
What Happens after We Die?167
Jewish Positions on Autopsy, Embalming, and Cremation169
Preparing for the Funeral Service171
Preparing for the Funeral Service, Part Two174
The Funeral Service177
At the Cemetery180
The Kohein and Some General Background184
Shivah: Some General Background185
Shivah: The Home and the Meal of Consolation188
Shivah: The Condolence Call191
Shivah: Customs and Restrictions193
The Kaddish196
Sh'loshim and the Year of Mourning199
The Tombstone201
The Unveiling204
Yahrzeit and Yizkor206
Further URJ Press Resources209

Subjects