A Jewish Woman's Prayer Book

by Aliza Lavie

A beautiful and moving one-of-a-kind collection that draws from a variety of Jewish traditions, through the ages, to commemorate every occasion and every passage in the cycle of life,

Special prayers for the Sabbath, holidays, and important dates of the Jewish year
Prayers to mark celebratory milestones, such as bat mitzva, marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth
Prayers for companionship, love, and fertility
Prayers for healing, strength, and personal growth
Prayers for daily reflection and thanksgiving
Prayers for comfort and understanding in times of tragedy and loss On the eve of Yom Kippur in 2002, Aliza Lavie, a university professor, read an interview with an Israeli woman who had lost both her mother and her baby daughter in a terrorist attack. As Lavie stood in the synagogue later that evening, she searched for comfort for the bereaved woman, for a reminder that she was not alone but part of a great tradition of Jewish women who have responded to unbearable loss with strength and fortitude. Unable to find sufficient solace within the traditional prayer book and inspired by the memory of her own grandmother’s steadfast knowledge and faith, Lavie began researching and compiling prayers written for and by Jewish women.

A Jewish Woman’s Prayer Book is the result—a beautiful and moving one-of-a-kind collection that draws from a variety of Jewish traditions, through the ages, to commemorate every occasion and every passage in the cycle of life, from the mundane to the extraordinary. This elegant, inspiring volume includes special prayers for the Sabbath and holidays and important dates of the Jewish year; prayers to mark celebratory milestones, such as bat mitzva, marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth; and prayers for comfort and understanding in times of tragedy and loss. Each prayer is presented in Hebrew and in an English translation, along with fascinating commentary on its origins and allusions. Culled from a wide range of sources, both geographically and historically, this collection testifies that women's prayers were—and continue to be—an inspired expression of personal supplication and desire.

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Nonfiction, Jewish

448 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2008

Reviews

[Melissa Standley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this book because I learned, last month, for the first time of techines, women's prayers written in vernacular languages--usually Yiddish but sometimes Ladino and other languages--from the late Middle Ages to the early twentieth century. This book, The Jewish Women's Prayer Book, includes many of the published techines, plus some newer prayers written by and for women. There is one written on toilet paper by women imprisoned in one of the camps during the Shoah.

The prayers in the book, which are in both English and Hebrew (which means that Ms. Lavie translated the prayers into Hebrew, and then the English translator of the entire book translated them into English) are beautiful. There are prayers for everyday, for Shabbat, and for holidays and other special occasions.

This prayerbook is essentially a history of the (historically) non-public women's interaction with and understanding of Judaism, which is almost a secret side of Judaism because until the twentieth century, most Jewish women had the home as their sphere rather than public places. As a modern Jewish woman (convert) of the twenty-first century, I would like to see some prayers about successful career work and maybe a prayer to help women who work full-time jobs get ready for Shabbat (Friday morning to early afternoon is never long enough), but I love seeing the prayers that most of us would find helpful and meaningful.

My own intention is to add my own prayers to the ones I am reading in this book, along with learning to pray the Psalms a little more proficiently. I only wish I were more literate in Hebrew. I'm taking another Hebrew class right now, so maybe that will happen.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

They are all really lovely and unique prayers, however they concentrate more on the life of a married woman. I do not get up early to make porridge for my children and therefore do not have to pray for my children's and my husband's wellbeing...
I don't recommend it to women who are not married and have children because many of the prayers do not apply to you.
But if you do have children and a husband then go ahead!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this prayer book, even if the audience is Jewish women, so many of the prayers are applicable to all women. There are prayers for oneself, family, husband, future husband, neighbors, mourners, life situations. It's on my wishlist because I'd really like to have a copy of my own for future reference.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ongoing reading. A cherished a volume in my Judaica collection.

[Jennifer Cassell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compilation of prayers and poems written by, for or about women. Not something that would replace an everyday prayer book, but an interesting additional supplement.

[Lisa Pfeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because it is one that I will always use