Friday, June 27, 2014

Book Review: Wonders and Miracles

Wonders and Miracles: Eric Kimmel, editor. 2004. Scholastic. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

Of the Passover books I've read the past two weeks, Wonders and Miracles is certainly the most comprehensive. Its thoroughness and/or complexity makes it for a slightly different age level than the others. Though parents could definitely select some readings from this one to share with their children. Wonders and Miracles is a compilation of resources from a variety of authors, a balanced blend of fiction and nonfiction. It even includes poetry. From the first page until the last, this one is just packed with information.

I learned so much by reading this one!

From the introduction:
It is a holiday filled with contradictions. It is a solemn religious event, but also a joyous feast. We celebrate our freedom from oppression, yet we do not rejoice over the sufferings of our oppressors.
All the members of the family, from the oldest to the youngest, take part in the Seder, the ritual Passover meal. Children play an important part, since the Torah requires us to tell them the Passover story.
The story is told in bits and pieces. Some of the most important parts are left out. Moses, the hero of the Exodus, is never mentioned during the Seder. His name does not appear even once in the traditional Haggadah (the collection of readings from the Bible and other writings) that is recited at this time.
Consequently, it is not surprising that many people attending a Seder for the first time--and even some who have celebrated Passover in their homes for years--miss the meaning of the many layers of ritual, tradition, and history underlying the Passover observance.
Passover is a holiday both ancient and modern; simple, yet rich in meaning and symbolism; timeless, yet ever changing. Its traditions draw on centuries of history, art, and literature. The texts and illustrations used in this book come from all over the world and span 3,000 years. This book was created to give people of all ages a fuller, richer understanding of what Passover means.
The book, as I mentioned, is complex and detailed. It is just packed with information. I definitely learned while reading it, and enjoyed myself in the learning process. Definitely recommended for those curious about Passover.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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