3: Good Ideas But A Dry Writing Style
I have an earlier version of this book which was copyrighted in 1982. There is plenty of good information about the more common Jewish holidays with some mentions of more minor ones. Each chapter is pretty well structured with a summary of each holiday's origins, preapration steps, prayers and customs on the day, new approaches, and food affiliated with each special day. Although there is some good information within the chapters, it is not the easiest read as the author could summarize the basic points of each holiday more succintly. Also, the author's writing style has a very dry style with little style to cause the reader to be overly intrigued. A few unusual customs were learned here and there. However, the Omer Period discussion leaves some questions. The recipes described are a nice light touch to an otherwise matter of beleif account of the Jewish Holidays. The gloassary and bibliographies are pretty good. Again, the goal of the Season Of Our Joy was to explain the meaning behind the Jewish Holidays. Jews who have an extensive foundation of their reglion may be able to get more out of Waskow's analysis. But those individuals who are trying to renew their interest in Judiasm may be a bit lost.
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