"The prayer book is our Jewish diary of the centuries, a collection of prayers composed by generations of those who came before us, as they endeavored to express the meaning of their lives and their relationship to God. The prayer book is the essence of the Jewish soul."

This stunning work, an empowering entryway to the spiritual revival of our times, enables all of us to claim our connection to the heritage of the traditional Jewish prayer book. It helps rejuvenate Jewish worship in today's world, and makes its power accessible to all.

The sixth volume probes the theological complexities of human nature as presented in Tachanun, the prayers that acknowledge human sin and petition divine pardon. It also illuminates the prayers that conclude the standard Jewish service: Kaddish, Alenu, and K'dushah D’Sidra; and provides a detailed treatment of Maimonides’ thirteen principles of faith. The personal call for judgment combined with hope for the universal reign of God define Judaism as a religion for individuals and the world, with a liturgy that affirms both.

Vol. 6—Tachanun and Concluding Prayers features the traditional Hebrew text with a new translation that lets people know exactly what the prayers say. Introductions explain what to look for in the prayer service, and how to truly use the commentaries to find meaning in the prayer book. Commentaries from eminent scholars and teachers from all movements of Judaism examine Tachanun and Concluding Prayers from the viewpoints of ancient Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as a myriad of other perspectives.

Even those not yet familiar with the prayer book can appreciate the spiritual richness of Tachanun and Concluding Prayers. My People’s Prayer Book enables all worshipers, of any denomination, to create their own connection to 3,000 years of Jewish experience with the world and with God.

ABOUT MY PEOPLE'S PRAYER BOOK INTRODUCTION TO THE LITURGY: THE SHAPE OF THE DAILY SERVICE Lawrence A. Hoffman TACHANUN AND PENITENTIAL PIETY: A JEWISH VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE Lawrence A. Hoffman THE PARADOXICAL POWER OF TACHANUN Daniel Landes THE PUZZLING POWER OF KADDISH Daniel Landes INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMENTARIES: HOW TO LOOK FOR MEANING IN THE PRAYERS Lawrence A. Hoffman THE LITURGY 1. TACHANUN. A. PREAMBLE FOR MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS: THE SEVEN-PARAGRAPH V’HU RACHUM ("HE IS MERCIFUL") B. ORDINARY DAILY INTRODUCTION: “DAVID SAID TO GAD…” C. DAVID’S OWN TACHANUN: PSALM 6 D. PENITENTIAL ADDITION FOR MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS: “ADONAI GOD OF ISRAEL” E. SHOMER YISRA’EL (“GUARDIAN OF ISRAEL”). F. CONCLUSION: “WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO…” 2. CONCLUDING PRAYERS. A. PSALM 20 AND THE K’DUSHAH D’SIDRA. B. FULL KADDISH (KADDISH SHALEM) AND ALENU. C. MOURNER’S KADDISH (KADDISH YATOM) D. THE THIRTEEN PRINCIPLES OF FAITH. About the Contributors. List of Abbreviations Glossary About Jewish Lights

"The prayer book is our Jewish diary of the centuries, a collection of prayers composed by generations of those who came before us, as they endeavored to express the meaning of their lives and their relationship to God. The prayer book is the essence of the Jewish soul."

This stunning work, an empowering entryway to the spiritual revival of our times, enables all of us to claim our connection to the heritage of the traditional Jewish prayer book. It helps rejuvenate Jewish worship in today's world, and makes its power accessible to all.

The sixth volume probes the theological complexities of human nature as presented in Tachanun, the prayers that acknowledge human sin and petition divine pardon. It also illuminates the prayers that conclude the standard Jewish service: Kaddish, Alenu, and K'dushah D’Sidra; and provides a detailed treatment of Maimonides’ thirteen principles of faith. The personal call for judgment combined with hope for the universal reign of God define Judaism as a religion for individuals and the world, with a liturgy that affirms both.

Vol. 6—Tachanun and Concluding Prayers features the traditional Hebrew text with a new translation that lets people know exactly what the prayers say. Introductions explain what to look for in the prayer service, and how to truly use the commentaries to find meaning in the prayer book. Commentaries from eminent scholars and teachers from all movements of Judaism examine Tachanun and Concluding Prayers from the viewpoints of ancient Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as a myriad of other perspectives.

Even those not yet familiar with the prayer book can appreciate the spiritual richness of Tachanun and Concluding Prayers. My People’s Prayer Book enables all worshipers, of any denomination, to create their own connection to 3,000 years of Jewish experience with the world and with God.