34 | SEPTEMBER 14 • 2023 

ROSH HASHANAH

A

re you a book person? 
Here are nine books 
that can be both a com-
panion and a guide through the 
High Holiday season. 
1

This Is Real and You Are 
Completely Unprepared
By Rabbi Alan Lew
Organized chronologically, 
beginning with a spiritu-
al exploration of Tisha b’
Av, 
followed by Elul, Selichot, 
Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days 
of Awe and Yom Kippur, 
Rabbi Alan Lew’s insightful 
writing reflects his belief 
in meditation and mindfulness 
as useful Jewish spiritual 
practices. Even if you don’t 
identify as the “spiritual type,
” 
Lew’s incorporates plenty of 

intergenerational rabbinic 
wisdom, historical anecdotes and 
passages from Judaism’s sacred 
texts that anyone can draw 
meaning from. 

2

Entering the High Holy 
Days: A Complete 
Guide to the History, 
Prayers, and Themes
By Rabbi Reuven Hammer
Both Rosh Hashanah and Yom 
Kippur include special litur-
gy and rituals that are unique 
to the High Holidays and 
consequently unfamiliar to many 
Jews. In his introduction, Rabbi 
Reuven Hammer explains that 
“reading the individual prayers 
slowly and carefully, to learn 
what they are saying and how 
they are put together” is key to 

experiencing the High Holidays 
in a more meaningful way. 
The book is straightforward 
and comprehensive in mixing 
contemporary interpretations of 
the liturgy with biblical origins 
and historical developments. 
3

Prayers of Awe
Nine-book series edited by 
Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman
Prayers of Awe is the name of a 
nine-part series, rather than a 
single book. Each book focuses 
on a specific theme or prayer 
relevant to the High Holidays. 
Individual titles range from All 
These Vows, Kol Nidre to All 
the World, Universalism, 
Particularism and the High 
Holy Days. Every book features 
a diverse selection of poems, 

reflections, essays and explora-
tions penned by more than 40 
different authors and rabbis — 
many of whom are considered 
top leaders in the world of Jewish 
thought today. 

4

Return: Daily Inspiration 
for the Days of Awe
By Dr. Erica Brown
While Elul offers a month to 
train yourself to be ready for 
what’s ahead, the Days of Awe 
— the name given to the 10 
days between Rosh Hashanah 
and Yom Kippur — are more 
like the actual marathon 
during which your endurance 
and training are truly tested. 
Dr. Erica Brown includes one 
chapter for each day during this 
period and ties in biblical or 

Spiritual preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 
can make the holidays that much more meaningful.

Books To Prepare You for 
the High Holidays

continued on page 36

MY JEWISH LEARNING

