The Passover Seder (Symbol and Culture) - Softcover

Fredman, Ruth Gruber

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452006066 ISBN 13: 9780452006065

Publisher: Plume, 1982

Synopsis

Each spring Jewish people throughout the world celebrate Passover with the ritual of the Seder. Through a detailed anthropological and symbolic analysis, Cernea shows why the Seder continues to be a fundamental part of the process by which Jewich society creates and defines itself. In an age in which ritual observance among Jews is on the decline, this ancient ritual is still vital. In this cohesive volume, Cernea uses anthropological theories, history, folklore, religious writings, and personal observation to explain how the Seder permits participants to see their current experience through the prism of society's history. The Seder plate, with its ordinary foods presented in an extraordinary manner, gives voice to other concepts vital to Jewish culture long after the Seder is over. Originally published in 1981 by the University of Pennsylvania Press.

About this title

About the Author:

Ruth Fredman Cernea is an anthropologist and the author of "The Passover Seder" and "Almost Englishmen": " Baghdadi Jews in British Burma." She is the former international director of publications and resources at the Hillel Foundation and former editor of "The Hillel Guide to Jewish Life on Campus."

Review:

...will continue to be read by all interested in the Seder ritual, whether as scholars or as ritual performers. (Nathan Katz, Professor and Chair, Department of Religious Studies, Florida International University Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

A marvelously readable blend of scholarship and celebration; provides a thoughtful guide to the ancient Jewish ritual meal. (Egon Mayer, Ph.D, CUNY Graduate School Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

It is wonderful news that The Passover Seder is available once again! This was a groundbreaking work when it was first published, and it remains a refreshing and eye-opening analysis of the seder that casts new light on an age-old ritual. (Dr. Jacob J. Staub, Dean, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

I believe that it is the best sustained discussion of Jewish ritual and liturgy employing an anthropological framework which is currently available. (D. Bruce Rosenstock, University of California, Davis Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

...a detailed anthropological and symbolic analysis... (Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

...a detailed anthropological and symbolic analysis... (Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

...will continue to be read by all interested in the Seder ritual, whether as scholars or as ritual performers. (Nathan Katz, Professor and Chair, Department of Religious Studies, Florida International University Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

A marvelously readable blend of scholarship and celebration; provides a thoughtful guide to the ancient Jewish ritual meal. (Egon Mayer, Ph.D, CUNY Graduate School Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

It is wonderful news that The Passover Seder is available once again! This was a groundbreaking work when it was first published, and it remains a refreshing and eye-opening analysis of the seder that casts new light on an age-old ritual. (Dr. Jacob J. Staub, Dean, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

I believe that it is the best sustained discussion of Jewish ritual and liturgy employing an anthropological framework which is currently available. (D. Bruce Rosenstock, University of California, Davis Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies)

About this edition

• Publisher: Plume
• Publication date: 1982
• ISBN 10: 0452006066
• ISBN 13: 9780452006065
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 168