Shaerei Simcha: Gates of Joy:

This is a volume that should be in the home of all JOFA Journal readers. A remarkable achievement, it is a compilation of prayers, songs, and poetry that transcends the Birkon that is at its center. It was conceived and compiled by Adena Berkowitz and Rivka Haut, two women who have strong associations with JOFA. Although written from a clearly Orthodox perspective and with keen attention to Jewish law and tradition, the aim of the editors is to be as inclusive as possible and to increase the meaningfulness and enjoyment of fulfilling mitzvot. Including both popular explanations and scholarly sources, it is designed for people of different religious backgrounds, for both singles and married, for those with and without children, Ashkenazin and Sephardim. All prayers are transliterated as well as translated; Sephardi songs and prayers are included as is a seder for Yom Ha’atzma’ut. The welcoming ceremonies include a prayer for welcoming an adopted child to a family. Each section also includes songs specifically for children. Included is a prayer for parents to say at a bar or bar mitzvah as well as one to be recited under their children’s huppah. The volume includes tekhines such as one to be said after candlelighting and also an adaptation of a traditional text of a prayer for a woman to direct towards her husband on Friday night as a complement to Eshet Hayil. In the birkat hamazon, the editors not only provide sources for a regular zimmun for women but also for a zimmun beshem to show that ten or more women “bensching” together may choose to add the word elokeynu as is the practice for 10 men, and they advise women to study the sources provided to make their own decision. In the harahamon section of the birkat hamazon, there is an option for a wife to use the word ishi to refer to her husband instead of the traditional ba’ali which has a connotation of ownership. The havdala ceremony includes a ritual of Miriam’s well that can be added, and the traditional text for a brit is enriched by the provision of prayers that a mother may choose to add to enhance her participation and that of other female relatives and friends. The editors also note that some communities today have revived the custom known in the Middle Ages of having a sandeket at a brit. This collection has been prepared with sensitivity, thoughtfulness and love and is sure to enrich the religious and spiritual lives of the individuals and families who use it.