Days of Awe: Stories for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

by Eric A. Kimmel, Erika Weihs (Illustrator)

Three traditional stories deal with the power of charity, a shepherd's prayers, and a beggar's forgiveness

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prolific children's author and storyteller Eric A. Kimmel joins forces with artist Erika Weihs in this slim collection of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur stories. The three include:

The Samovar, in which a couple are given a black and tarnished samovar by the Prophet Elijah, and become its keepers for seven years. Their kindness and generosity, during that time, transform it into a gleaming object of beauty.

The Shepherd, in which a simple man who prays to God from his heart is humbled by a passing scholar, who informs him that he is praying in the wrong way. It takes a visit from an angel, and a trip to listen to the Heavenly Host, to convince the shepherd that his own simple prayers are cherished by God.

Rabbi Eleazar and the Beggar, in which a famous rabbi speaks hurtful words to a beggar, and refuses to leave his side until he is given forgiveness.

As Kimmel notes in his sub-titles, the three stories here are meant to illustrate the three essential concepts - repentance, prayer and charity - of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They are taken from various sources, and are well-known tales in the Jewish folk tradition. I found these stories engaging, and often poignant. The accompanying oil paintings from Erika Weihs, whose work I have encountered before in Barbara Diamond Goldin's Cakes and Miracles: A Purim Tale , were appealing, in a simple, folk-art style. Recommended to anyone seeking children's books for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

[Julie Ditton]

Award-winning folklorist Eric A. Kimmel tells stories to dramatize the meaning of each pillar of the holiday–Charity, Repentance, and Prayer. In the Samovar, when a woman agrees to watchover a tarnished samovar for a seemingly rich man is actually the prophet Elijah, their luck begins to change. As the couple shares what little they have, the urn begins to shine and their luck begins to multiply. In the Shepard, a man who loves God so much that he makes up his own prayers to Him. In Rabbi Eleazar and the Beggar the men together experience the power of repentance.

Erika Weihs oil paintings used in this 1991 edition are beautiful. However, Sarah Green’s illustrations in the new 2025 new edition set the tone for these stories for the High Holidays. They have a brighter pallet than the but I think that the pictures by Green will appeal to youngsters who are reading this anthology, whereas adults will appreciate either.

[Amy Bodkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! He retells some wonderful stories that are 1000-2000 years old, and they teach some fantastic lessons...on why we give, why we pray, and we forgive.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Award-winning folklorist Eric A. Kimmel tells stories to dramatize the meaning of each pillar of the holiday–Charity, Repentance, and Prayer. In the Samovar, when a woman agrees to watchover a tarnished samovar for a seemingly rich man is actually the prophet Elijah, their luck begins to change. As the couple shares what little they have, the urn begins to shine and their luck begins to multiply. In the Shepard, a man who loves God so much that he makes up his own prayers to Him. In Rabbi Eleazar and the Beggar the men together experience the power of repentance.

Erika Weihs oil paintings used in the 1991 edition are beautiful. However, Sarah Green’s illustrations in this new 2025 new edition set the tone for these stories for the High Holidays. They have a brighter pallet than the but I think that the pictures by Green will appeal to youngsters who are reading this anthology, whereas adults will appreciate either.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as well as those individuals who simply want to lead more meaningful lives, this master storyteller and folklorist offers his version of three classic stories dealing with repentance, prayer, and charity. Because the stories are set in different regions--eastern Europe, Spain, and Jerusalem, respectively, readers may theorize that these are, indeed, important values. Originally published in 1991 with different artwork, this version is just as meaningful now as it was previously, and the colorful illustrations, some full-page and some spot art, lend a freshness to the entire effort. Even now, days after finishing this picture book, I'm still thinking of these stories and wondering about some of my own actions.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stories - highly recommend.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three of these stories are based on older Jewish folklore. I really liked the first one; the other two weren't quite as good to me, in part because I've heard versions of them that I liked better. It might also be because the first takes up about half the book, so it had more time to flesh out its ideas, while the latter two seemed a bit more simplistic. None of them are bad, mind you, and they all teach good lessons.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I particularly liked the first story about Rikva the glove maker’s wife who watches over who appears to be a wealthy army officer’s samovar for seven years. She and her husband have given so much charity in that time that the tarnished piece gleams “brighter than a thousand suns.” (30) I borrowed this from interlibrary loan.