High Holyday Prayer Book: Yom Kippur

IN ENGLISH AND HEBREW From the introduction by Philip Birnbaum: "Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the climax of the ten day period of repentance which begins with Rosh Hashanah, the New Year festival, known as the Day of Judgment. These days of awe and reverence, reflection and inspiration, bring the message of hope and confidence that it is possible for human beings to improve their characters and to rise above the petty things of material existence. They speak to man about his ethical conscience and moral responsibility, about self-examination and spiritual regeneration. The prayers and hymns of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur articulate the most important Jewish ideals: human brotherhood, universal enlightenment and mutual forgiveness. Many of these prayers are literary masterpieces with extraordinary power to elevate and to inspire. They make us intensely aware of human frailty. They keep reminding us that, according to Jewish tradition, there is no man who is absolutely free from sin and error; there are no perfect saints. . . . . . . . . . The very concept of repentance and atonement has made the Jewish outlook on life one of cheerfulness and confidence. . . . . . . . . The aim of this edition is to supply an urgent need which is widely felt by worshipers and students of liturgy. The new English translation is designed to make intelligible the rich contents of the Mahzor that have stirred the souls of countless generations. It is hoped that this volume will enable the worshiper to gain maximum intellectual and emotional satisfaction from the High Holyday services."