Rating: 
Summary: A Book so Thorough it Forgets Nothing But its Readers
Review: "To Pray as a Jew" is one of those books it is hard to escape. It is used as a textbook in many Jewish classrooms; it is recommended by many Rabbis. There is no question that the book is thorough, accurate, and detailed. The main problem is it doesn't seem to know who its audience is. The minutiae are so extreme that it even gives advice on what to do if you take someone's customary seat in the synagogue (it advises you apologize and ask if they want the seat; it insists that the person in question will rarely actually ask for it back). If you have never darkened the door of a synagogue, the incredibly long and detailed descriptions of how and why to pray could make your head spin. If, on the other hand, you are someone who has gone to a synagogue before, and wants to know WHY certain practices are done, or who wants an explanation of some of the more unusual rituals, the attention to practices such a proper dress and step-by-step diagrams on how to bow may evoke giggles rather than enlightenment. The biggest error, however, is that it completely ignores the existence of the Reform movement. Many of the practices in Reform synagogues are substantially different from those mentioned in this book. Nevertheless, if Rabbi Donin truly wants to help a Jew be comfortable in "any synagogue in the world," as he purports to want to do, it is a major oversight to not at least mention that Reform synagogues exist, and that the practices are very different. I have used this book occasionally as a reference, but I do not recommend that anyone read it straight through.
Rating:
Summary: A Book so Thorough it Forgets Nothing But its Readers
Review: "To Pray as a Jew" is one of those books it is hard to escape. It is used as a textbook in many Jewish classrooms; it is recommended by many Rabbis. There is no question that the book is thorough, accurate, and detailed. The main problem is it doesn't seem to know who its audience is. The minutiae are so extreme that it even gives advice on what to do if you take someone's customary seat in the synagogue (it advises you apologize and ask if they want the seat; it insists that the person in question will rarely actually ask for it back). If you have never darkened the door of a synagogue, the incredibly long and detailed descriptions of how and why to pray could make your head spin. If, on the other hand, you are someone who has gone to a synagogue before, and wants to know WHY certain practices are done, or who wants an explanation of some of the more unusual rituals, the attention to practices such a proper dress and step-by-step diagrams on how to bow may evoke giggles rather than enlightenment. The biggest error, however, is that it completely ignores the existence of the Reform movement. Many of the practices in Reform synagogues are substantially different from those mentioned in this book. Nevertheless, if Rabbi Donin truly wants to help a Jew be comfortable in "any synagogue in the world," as he purports to want to do, it is a major oversight to not at least mention that Reform synagogues exist, and that the practices are very different. I have used this book occasionally as a reference, but I do not recommend that anyone read it straight through.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful, educational
Review: A wonderful book that helps one understand the classic Jewish prayers and their role in the Sabbath and high holy days as well as at home. An important book for any Jewish household. A great companion for every Jew.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful, educational
Review: A wonderful book that helps one understand the classic Jewish prayers and their role in the Sabbath and high holy days as well as at home. An important book for any Jewish household. A great companion for every Jew.
Rating: 
Summary: Similarities in prayer
Review: Donin's research illustrates the original and universal form of prayer. It was quite interesting to find that Moses taught his followers to pray in the same way Muhammad did. Muslims still pray this way, and Jews aught to revert back to the ways of their ancients.
Rating:
Summary: An Introduction to the Halachah and Meaning of Jewish Prayer
Review: Even for observant and committed Jews, the liturgy of the daily and Shabbat prayer service can be daunting. For the less educated Jew, merely entering a Synagogue can be most intimidating. Numerous books have been written in an effort to help the Jewish layman understand the prayer service and feel comfortable in Synagogue. In my opinion, this one is the best. Rabbi Donin divides the service into its component parts and explains both the origin and meaning of each. For example, we learn how the Amidah came to be a substitute for the daily sacrifices of the Temple period and therefore, how its structure parallels the various types of sacrifice. But he does more than explain the background and meaning of the prayers. He shows how Jewish prayer, like all of Jewish practice, is a system with rules. For example when the reader or Chazzan chants a blessing (or "bracha"), a response of "amen" by a congregant will impart the saying of the bracha to the congregant. Whether or not one feels bound by the halacha (Jewish law), I think it is very interesting to see how every aspect of the prayer service has a correct way. For the beginner who is unfamiliar with the rituals and practices of the synagogue service, such as when to stand, the rules pertaining to tallit and tefilin, and what to do when given honors or an aliyah, this book explains it. A Jew, completely lost at Shul will feel comfortable after reading this book. Of course it is written from a traditional Orthodox perspective. It describes what happens in a traditional service. But aside from its emphasis on gender separation, a feature of Orthodox Judaism, the Conservative Jew will recognize his or her own service as being largely identical. Reform and Reconstructionist services are substantially different so this book is not for those attending such services. I think this book ought to be in the Judaica collection of every Jew interested in traditional Judaism. It is a good companion to Donin's "To Pray as a Jew." You don't need to be Orthodox to appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: An Introduction to the Halachah and Meaning of Jewish Prayer
Review: Even for observant and committed Jews, the liturgy of the daily and Shabbat prayer service can be daunting. For the less educated Jew, merely entering a Synagogue can be most intimidating. Numerous books have been written in an effort to help the Jewish layman understand the prayer service and feel comfortable in Synagogue. In my opinion, this one is the best. Rabbi Donin divides the service into its component parts and explains both the origin and meaning of each. For example, we learn how the Amidah came to be a substitute for the daily sacrifices of the Temple period and therefore, how its structure parallels the various types of sacrifice. But he does more than explain the background and meaning of the prayers. He shows how Jewish prayer, like all of Jewish practice, is a system with rules. For example when the reader or Chazzan chants a blessing (or "bracha"), a response of "amen" by a congregant will impart the saying of the bracha to the congregant. Whether or not one feels bound by the halacha (Jewish law), I think it is very interesting to see how every aspect of the prayer service has a correct way. For the beginner who is unfamiliar with the rituals and practices of the synagogue service, such as when to stand, the rules pertaining to tallit and tefilin, and what to do when given honors or an aliyah, this book explains it. A Jew, completely lost at Shul will feel comfortable after reading this book. Of course it is written from a traditional Orthodox perspective. It describes what happens in a traditional service. But aside from its emphasis on gender separation, a feature of Orthodox Judaism, the Conservative Jew will recognize his or her own service as being largely identical. Reform and Reconstructionist services are substantially different so this book is not for those attending such services. I think this book ought to be in the Judaica collection of every Jew interested in traditional Judaism. It is a good companion to Donin's "To Pray as a Jew." You don't need to be Orthodox to appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: You're all kidding, right?
Review: Hayim Halevy Donlevin doesn't discuss "Reform" practices because, from an Orthodox point of view, "Reform Judaism" is not a form of Judaism at all. By implication, he dismisses "Reform" practices throughout this entire book - as, for example, in his discussion of the reasons why you ought to ~walk~ to synagogue and why, if you live so far away that you have to drive, you should stay home instead. This is an Orthodox book, about Torah-true Judaism. "Reform Jews," and people who want positive discussion of "Reform Judaism," should stay away from it. Get something "Kosher-Style Lite" instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Useful, however . . .
Review: I bought this book because I want to learn how to pray. Now, it definately explains all about praying in an Orthodox shul, and explains purpose and history about the various prayers for home, but as for reading it straight through, I couldn't do it. I got bored in the minute details. One thing I noticed is that, being totally from an Orthodox perspective, it explains common practices during prayer, but barely touches on the fact that he is referring specifically to men,as women cannot make up a minyan, the group of ten needed to pray. But aside from that, a very useful resource.
Rating:
Summary: Useful, however . . .
Review: I bought this book because I want to learn how to pray. Now, it definately explains all about praying in an Orthodox shul, and explains purpose and history about the various prayers for home, but as for reading it straight through, I couldn't do it. I got bored in the minute details. One thing I noticed is that, being totally from an Orthodox perspective, it explains common practices during prayer, but barely touches on the fact that he is referring specifically to men,as women cannot make up a minyan, the group of ten needed to pray. But aside from that, a very useful resource.
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