Prayer books and commentaries

Mazhor Lev Shalem

A translation in modern English for meaningful devotional use by contemporary Jews. Explanatory notes and guides to the liturgy with new Hebrew texts within a handsome volume. Gender neutral translation, running commentaries that explain each prayer, and transliteration of all songs. This most recent edition was released in May, 2010.

Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays

Complete weekday service with Torah Reading, inspirational readings, and services for the home. Includes new material for special occasions and commemorations: Hanukkah, Purim, Yom Ha-shoah, and Yom Ha'atzma'ut.

Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals

Leonard Cahan, chair, Editorial Committee. The original Siddur Sim Shalom is the first comprehensive siddur published for the Conservative movement. This new edition of Siddur Sim Shalom has become a popular classic for thousands of Conservative Jews. The prayerbook contains sections on Shabbat and holiday home rituals and an easy-to-follow format. Innovations include the optional Amidah text which includes the matriarchs, liturgical works celebrating the existence of the State of Israel, readings for Holocaust commemoration, and an expanded supplementary reading section featuring works by both rabbinic scholars and contemporary Jewish thinkers.

Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals

by Rueben Hammer. Features scholarly commentary by Reuven Hammer; supplementary material from a variety of classical and contemporary sources; introductory material explaining the history, structure, and meaning of prayers and services; and commentary on Pirke Avot by Judah Goldin.

"Reuven Hammer's comprehensive commentary on the siddur is such a welcome addition to Conservative Jewish liturgy. It recognizes the difference between understanding the words of a prayer and understanding the prayer. Rather than simply translating, it explains the meaning and purpose of the prayer in its context - its history, theology, and relationship to the prayers around it. More than telling us what we are saying, it guides us to understand why we are praying these words." - Harold Kushner.

Etz Hayim

David L. Lieber, senior editor, Chaim Potok, z"l , p'shat commentary editor, Harold Kushner, d'rash commentary editor, Michael Fishbane, haftarah commentary, Jules Harlow, literary editor, Elliot Dorff and Susan Grossman, halakhah l'ma-aseh editors.

Etz Hayim is a publication of the Conservative movement, produced through a joint venture with the Rabbinical Assembly, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and the Jewish Publication Society. Featuring the renowned 1985 JPS English translation; authoritative Hebrew text according to Masoretic tradition; essays on key themes by prominent Conservative movement rabbis and scholars; two separate sections of commentary, representing two approaches to interpreting the Torah. (The p'shat, adapted from the JPS Torah Commentary and edited by Chaim Potok, seeks to explain the basic meaning of the text. The d'rash, edited by Harold Kushner, selects insights from over 2000 years of Torah study, including passages from the Talmud and Midrash, the teachings of the Sages, comments by Rashi, homiletic and psychological insights by Hasidic teachers, and readings by contemporary rabbis and scholars); new haftarah commentary by noted biblical scholar Michael Fishbane points out the connections to the weekly Torah portion, provides line-by-line commentary on the prophetic text, and indicates readings for Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities; special section pointing to Jewish laws based on biblical passages (halakhah l'ma-aseh); notation of traditional readings for Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities.

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