I have reworded and updated a previous post on this subject due to some interest by others wanting to know if there was an all-encompassing book on Jewish customs (including days of the week, months, traditions and rituals, holidays, etc.). It is a book I totally advocate, and one that includes the entire Jewish year. With the Jewish High Holy Days almost upon us, The Book of Customs is an excellent resource to have by your side.

The Book of Customs: A Complete Handbook for the Jewish Year , by Scott-Martin Kosofsky, is based upon the 1645 edition of the “Minhogimbukh”, which was an illustrated book of customs that was written in Yiddish. The history behind this book is intense and incredible, in itself. As the title implies, this book encompasses the customs within the entire Jewish year.

I purchased The Book of Customs almost two years ago, and am glad that I did. I find it to be an excellent resource, and one that defines the traditions of Judaism quite well. From Jewish customs and celebrations to holidays, this is a book that has been researched and written with accuracy. It is filled with in-depth information regarding daily life, days of the week, monthly calendars, explanations of holidays, monthly festivals/celebrations, seasonal holidays, life events – such as births, marriages, and so much more. The woodcuts inside the book add to the effectiveness on the information included, and the illustrations are instructional within themselves.

This paragraph from the Harper Collins website gives more detail about The Book of Customs:

“There are no works quite like the historical customs books available today and none so thorough and concise, intuitive in organization, and beautiful. Inspired by the originals, Kosofsky set out to make his own, adapting the books for modern use, adding historical perspective and contemporary application. The result is the reappearance of the Minhogimbukh after more than a hundred-year absence, and the first complete showing of all the original woodcuts — a visual vocabulary of Jewish life — since the 1760s.“

Scott-Martin Kosofsky dedicated his energies to thoroughly researching the history and aspects of the Minhogimgukh in order to bring accuracy to his own book. The Book of Customs, by Scott-Martin Kosofsky, is a terrific reference for those who need a little more knowledge regarding Judaism, Jewish traditions, customs, mores and even for those who think they understand everything about Judaism. I highly recommend it for families to read together, and for them to incorporate the text of traditions and customs into their own family’s lives. The Book of Customs is an updated, incredible, historical, all-inclusive, concise resource that belongs in every Jewish home, library, school, university, etc.

I personally own and have read this book, and continually refer back to it.

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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
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