A window into Judaism’s sacred
days—throughout history and today.
Written especially for Christians.
Written especially for Christians.
Holy days and holidays provide the peak
experiences of Jewish life. These moments speak deeply to the
Jewish soul and animate Judaism’s culture. They encourage
Jews to participate in their shared historical experience,
which reflects their covenantal relationship with God, and
articulate Jewish values that have allowed for the survival of
the Jewish people. But what can they mean to Christians seeking
to understand their own faith?
In this special book, Rabbis Olitzky and
Judson guide you through the major Jewish holidays and what
they mean for the Jewish people. Each chapter explores a
different holiday and explains the origin, historical
background, customs and rituals that are part of observance and
the holiday’s Christian parallels. Examining observance
in both home and synagogue—and in all Jewish
denominations—this easy-to-use guide to the Jewish
holidays will be a valuable resource for your own understanding
of Jewish sacred time throughout the year. And by linking the
Jewish holidays to familiar Christian holidays and practices,
you will be better able to appreciate the roots of Christianity
and how the fundamentals of Judaism relate to and reflect your
own spiritual foundation.
• Rosh
Hashanah–New Year
• Yom Kippur–Day of
Atonement
• Sukkot–Feast of Booths
(Fall Harvest Festival)
• Simchat Torah–Rejoicing
in the Torah
• Hanukkah–Rededication
• Purim–(Festival of
Survival)
• Pesach–Passover
• Shavuot–(Receiving the
Torah)
• Tisha B’Av (Mourning
and Commemoration) and Other Special Days
• Shabbat (Day of Rest)
“A helpful guide ... will be especially useful for interfaith families.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Clear and concise. Offers Christian
readers insight into the wisdom and beauty of Judaism.”
—Mary C.
Boys, coauthor, Christians and Jews in Dialogue:
Learning in the Presence of the Other
Learning in the Presence of the Other
“Marvelous…. Displays
sensitivity to Christian readers. Regardless of Christian
denomination, this is a book that speaks to the heart and the
soul of the believer.”
—Rt. Rev.
Kirk Steven Smith, PhD, bishop,
Episcopal diocese of Arizona
“Indispensable for anyone who wants
to be at home in the Jewish world…. This treasure house
could serve, by itself, as an introduction to
Judaism.”
—Rabbi
Neil Gillman, author, The Jewish Approach to God:
A Brief Introduction for Christians
A Brief Introduction for Christians
“Does Christians and
Christian-Jewish dialogue a great service. With straightforward
explanations, invites the reader to ‘walk the walk’
with Judaism and find in such a pilgrimage a deeper insight
into one’s own beliefs. A valuable resource to promote
intelligent dialogue between Christians and Jews.”
—David L.
Coppola, PhD, associate
executive director, Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding,
Sacred Heart University
“Demystifies Jewish holidays without
dumbing-down; paints richly satisfying pictures and invites the
reader into home, hearth and temple with warmth and respect.
Will make Christian devotees with Jewish friends and partners
feel more confident in participating in religious celebrations
together, eager to delve more deeply into their own religious
heritage and grateful for the roots of our common history and
spirituality.”
—Rev.
Molly Phinney Baskette, MDiv,
coauthor, Remembering My
Grandparent:
A Kid’s Own Grief Workbook in the Christian Tradition
A Kid’s Own Grief Workbook in the Christian Tradition
