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 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.

Jewish Cooking for

Pleasure by Molly Lyons bar-David. Why am I including a cookbook?! A cookbook, especially a Jewish one, connects us to holidays and family and friends. This particular one is from my childhood so it connects me to childhood memories.

While mentioning childhood memories, Generation to Generation:

Personal Recollections of a Chassidic

Legacy by Abraham J. Twerski tells us of Rabbi Twerski’s connection to his father and other chassidic ancestors.

From Generation to Generation: How to trace your Jewish Genealogy and Personal

History by Arthur Kurzweil connects us to family by tracing our genealogy.

Several books encourage our connection with others.

Harmony with Others: Formulas,

stories and insights by Zelig Pliskin encourages us to peacefully resolve differences that arise between individuals.

Along the same lines Zelig Pliskin’s Marriage uses many stories to illustrate both good and bad marriages while providing advice to work through difficulties in any marriage, including good ones.

Ahavat

Chessed by the Chafetz Chaim examines the trait of chesed and how it applies to loans, debts, hospitality, visiting the sick, and other interactions among others.

Please (re)connect with your library! We’d love to connect you with good books! n