Connections By Tsipi Wexler
Many books in the library talk about connection of some sort, connection to G-d, Judaism, Israel, history, rituals, community, family and oneself. If any library books show disconnect, they would be murder mysteries, Holocaust books or books about extinguished Jewish communities. I’ll list an assortment of books from the library collection which, to me, show connection. Chumashim and Siddurim are basic books for connecting us to G-d; through them G-d talks to us and we talk to G-d. The library has an assortment of commentaries; I won’t specify here. Carta’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by Israel Ariel and Chaim Richman connects us to the Temple, the priests, and rituals, especially sacrifices. It’s published by the Temple Institute. I read this book recently because I felt disconnected from our
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Temple; the many illustrations helped me visualize Temple life. Shemita: From the Sources to Practical Halacha by Yosef Tzvi Rimon helps us connect to our land and the sabbatical year.
Yearning to Return: Reflections on Yom Kippur by Yemima Mizrachi connects us to our G-dly self and inspires us to return/ reconnect and then move forward to our future, better self. Living Mussar every Day by Zvi Miller collects mussar from Hovot HaLevavot, the Ben Ish Hai, Pirkei Avot and other sources. Arranged by parasha, each day of the year has a short inspirational mussar message.
