The Hidden Poetry of the Jewish Prayerbook - The What, How, and Why of Jewish Liturgy (audio only edition)

In his unique journey through the Jewish Prayerbook, Prof. Kimelman brings together both a historical and a literary perspective on the main texts of most contemporary siddurim. This journey takes you from Mah Tovu and other introductory prayers through the Shema and Amida liturgies, to the Shabbat service. Each of the 18 lectures on its 10 CDs brings to life both the complex meanings of these beautiful texts, and the literary techniques through which these meanings come to life. Throughout the journey, the historical background, the poetical beauty, and the spiritual significance of the liturgy are highlighted by posing three questions: what is said, how is it said, and why is it said. Through the prism of these three questions, Professor Kimelman analyzes the content of the liturgy, thus showing how historical issues, literary considerations and ideological factors converge to illuminate the full meaning of the Siddur text. Contents: Mah Tovu - A Psychological Introduction to Prayer ** Adon Olam - A Theological Introduction to Prayer ** Morning Blessings - An Understanding of the Body-Soul Relationship ** Ashre - A Thematic Introduction to the Liturgy ** The Shema - 1st Paragraph - The Three-Fold Love Relationship to the Divine ** The Shema - 2nd and 3rd Paragraphs Integrating Compliance with the Commandments and Redemption ** The Shema - The Second Blessing - Revelation as Divine Love ** The Shema - Opening Blessing - Creation and Divine Sovereignty ** The Shema - Closing Blessing - Redemption and Divine Sovereignty ** The Amida - Introduction and Blessings 4-7 ** The Amida - Blessings 8, 9 and 10-16 ** The Amida Blessings 1-3 ** The Amida - Blessings 17-19 ** The Amida - Kedusha ** The Amida - Role and Choreography ** Ein Keloheinu, Aleinu and the Kaddish - Closing Prayers ** Kabbalat Shabbat - Lekhah Dodi ** The Distinctiveness of the Shabbat Service.