Description
This excerpt from a review of Rabbi Silber's "A Passover Haggadah: Go Forth and Learn" discusses the author's scholarship and how it will appeal to a range of Jewishly literate readers. The review also mentions that the author's format engages readers in the study of the Haggadah before and during the Passover holiday, at their leisure.
Rabbi Silber has given us two books in one: the Haggadah itself, in English and Hebrew, with his seder commentary and a collection of essays that provide close readings of the classic biblical and rabbinic texts that inform Seder-night ritual and narration. Both parts work beautifully together to illuminate the central themes of Passover: peoplehood, Covenant, our relationship to ritual, God's presence in history, and other important issues that resonate with us all. Just as midrash attempts to bridge the gap between ancient text and contemporary meaning, Rabbi Silber's Haggadah provides new sources of insight that deepen the Passover experience for today's readers. "Dr. Silber's genius is close reading of texts, bringing together a keen literary sensibility and a deep familiarity with biblical and rabbinic sources." -- Ellen Frankel, JPS Editor Emerita "Silber's format engages people in the study of the Haggadah before and during the Passover holiday, at their leisure; and it provides a useful resource right at the seder table." --Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Chair, Departments of Bible and Jewish Thought, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah "Silber's scholarship is solid and accessible, and will appeal to a range of Jewishly literate readers seeking to better understand and appreciate the richness of the Haggadah text." --Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Worship Specialist, Union for Reform Judaism