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JEWISH BOOK ANNUAL
Trepp in
The Complete Book o f Jewish Observance
(New York,
Behrman, 1980) disregards source references. His text offers in
stead the advantage o f systematic advice on how and where Con
servatism and/or Reform differ from the stated position.
Simon J. Maslin edited
Gates ofMitzvah: A Guide to theJewish Life
Cycle
(New York, Central Conference o f American Rabbis, 1979)
with the expressed intent o f inspiring increased religious home
observance among adherents o f Reform Judaism. As such, the
text reflects the movement’s heightened sensitivity toward tradi
tionalism. This should not be interpreted, however, as an indica
tion that Reform Judaism has altered its position regarding a
“Shulhan Arukh” o f its own. Its opposition to authoritativeness
and ritualism remains unchanged.
SPEC IFIC GUIDES
A number o f guides on specific subject matter fall within the
scope o f this survey:
To Pray as aJew: A Guide to the Prayer Book and
the Synagogue Service
(New York, Basic Books, 1980), by Hayim
Halevy Donin, is lucidly written, without encumbrances o f ab
stract theological language. It is rich in insights which can make
Synagogue ritual religiously uplifting and intellectually enlight
ening.
How To Run a Traditional Jewish Household
(New York, Si
mon & Schuster, 1983), by Blu Greenberg, presents a detailed
manual on all aspects o f home observance — kashruth, Sabbath
and Festivals, day by day practices, making the home festive
looking, etc. The traditional role o f the Jewish woman as a home
builder and custodian o f the heritage o f Judaism is here beauti
fully articulated. Maurice Lamm’s
The Jewish Way in Love and
Marriage
(New York, Harper & Row, 1980) is an impressive
guide to all aspects o f marriage according to traditional Judaism,
its motivations and purposes, and especially the concept o f sa
credness.
Medical Halachah fo r Everyone
(New York, Feldheim,
1980), by Abraham S. Abraham, offers guidance on questions
facing the ill and their attendants. All types o f problems are con
sidered here in a spirit o f profound reverence for Jewish law.
The literature o f responsa is usually arranged in the form o f
questions (She’elot) and answers (Teshuvot) on a particular issue,
in most instances following the editorial pattern o f the Four Sec
tions o f Shulhan Arukh — Orah Hayim, Yorah De’ah, Hoshen
Mishpat and Even Ha-Ezer. Scores o f titles in this genre were