Non­fic­tion

The Book of Passover

Ben­jamin Blech
  • Review
By – July 16, 2012
Passover is one of the most impor­tant Jew­ish hol­i­days. It is a time to cel­e­brate free­dom and enjoy fam­i­ly. This small book by Rab­bi Ben­jamin Blech, pro­fes­sor of Tal­mud at Yeshi­va Uni­ver­si­ty, will enhance fam­i­ly obser­vance by offer­ing an oppor­tu­ni­ty to pass on tra­di­tions. It pro­vides basic infor­ma­tion about the sto­ry of Passover, seder rit­u­als, foods, folk­lore, songs, and the Hag­gadah. It also has inter­est­ing triv­ia about the hol­i­day, infor­ma­tion about obser­vance in com­mu­ni­ties all over the world, and online resources. What makes the book unique is an invi­ta­tion for read­ers to be coau­thors. Each chap­ter ends with space for them to write about their spe­cial thoughts, tra­di­tions, and fam­i­ly mem­bers. These include impres­sions of God, mir­a­cles, acts of kind­ness, favorite recipes, and even pets. Although Rab­bi Blech writes from an Ortho­dox per­spec­tive, this book will enrich seders in any home. It will also be use­ful for teachers.
Bar­bara M. Bibel is a librar­i­an at the Oak­land Pub­lic Library in Oak­land, CA; and at Con­gre­ga­tion Netiv­ot Shalom, Berke­ley, CA.

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