Overview

Night of Beginnings is a groundbreaking new haggadah for the Passover seder from acclaimed poet, translator, and liturgist Marcia Falk, beautifully designed and illustrated with original color drawings by the author. Unlike both traditional and new haggadahs, which do not contain a full recounting of the biblical story, Night of Beginnings presents the Exodus narrative in its entirety, providing a direct connection to the ancient origins of the holiday. This retelling highlights the actions of its female characters, including Moshe's sister, Miriam; Pharaoh's daughter, who adopts the baby Moshe; and the midwives Shifrah and Pu'ah, who save the Hebrew male infants. Falk's revolutionary new blessings, in Hebrew and English, replace the traditional, patriarchal seder blessings, and her kavanot-meditative directions for prayer-introduce a genre new to the seder ritual. Poems, psalms, and songs are arranged to give structural coherence to the haggadah. A new commentary raises interpretive questions and invites us to bring personal reflections into the discussion. Like the author's widely acclaimed previous prayer books, The Book of Blessings and The Days Between, Falk's poetic blessings for the seder envision the divine as a Greater Whole of which we are an inseparable part. The inclusive language of Falk's blessings makes room for women to find and use their voices more full-throatedly than they were able to do with the male-centered prayers inherited from the early rabbis. Men, too, will encounter here a spiritually moving and thought-provoking experience.

Full Product Details

Author:   Marcia Falk
Publisher:   Jewish Publication Society
Imprint:   Jewish Publication Society
ISBN:  

9780827615519

ISBN 10:   0827615515
Pages:   232
Publication Date:   01 March 2022
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Introduction xiii Notes for the Reader Transliterations xxi Proper Names xxii Translations and Adaptations xxii Tinted Pages xxiii פתיחת החג OPENING THE FESTIVAL Hadlakat Nerot Ḥag Hapésaḥ: Lighting the Pesach Candles 2 The Journey: Lighting the Way (Kavanah) 7 Birkat Haz’man: Blessing of Time and Renewal (Sheheḥeyánu) 8 Change: The Flow of Life (Kavanah) 11 Birkat Habat, Birkat Haben: Blessing the Children 12 תחילת הסדר BEGINNING THE SEDER The Seder Plate 17 The Seder Table 18 Kadesh Urḥatz: Order of the Night Kadesh: Sanctification (Kiddush) Birkat P’ri Hagéfen, K’dushat Hayom: Fruit of the Vine, Hallowing the Day (First Cup) 22 Fruit of the Vine (Kavanah) 27 Urḥatz: Washing Washing the Hands 29 Karpas: Spring Greens T’vilat Karpas Va’akhilato: Dipping and Eating the Spring Greens 30 Spring: The Birth of the Year (Kavanah) 33 Shirey Aviv Mim’gilat Shir Hashirim: Spring Poems from the Song of Songs 35 Yáḥatz: Breaking Breaking the Matzah, Hiding the Afikoman 45 Brokenness and Wholeness (Kavanah) 47 לקראת המגיד BEFORE THE MAGGID: PREPARING TO LISTEN Arba Hakushyot: The Four Questions 51 The Four Children 54 Sh’faḥot Va’avadim Hayínu: Once We Were Slaves 59 Ha Laḥma Anya: This Is the Bread of Affliction 63 Open Door (Kavanah) 66 Freedom and the Lives of Others (Kavanah) 68 B’khol Dor Vador: In Every Generation 71 Telling Oneself into the Story 75 ד MAGGID: THE TELLING Presentation of the Text 79 Overview and Themes 80 One: Enslavement in Egypt 82 Two: Miriam and the Women 82 Three: Moshe’s Calling 85 Four: Moshe, God, and Pharaoh—Confrontations 89 Five: Exodus from Egypt 93 Six: Miriam the Prophetess 98 Maggid: The Telling, Abbreviated 100 אחרי המגיד AFTER THE MAGGID: CELEBRATING THE STORY Kos Miryam: Miriam’s Cup 106 Dayénu: It Would Have Been Enough 108 Nonetheless 111 What Is Enough? (Kavanah) 113 Birkat P’ri Hagéfen: Fruit of the Vine (Second Cup) 114 Hallel 1, T’hilot Ḥadashot: New Poems of Praise 117 Song of Joy 118 The Feast 119 Nishmat Kol Ḥay: The Breath of All Life 120 Hal’lu, Yif’at Tevel: Hal’lu, Beauty of the World ג THE FESTIVAL MEAL Roḥtzah: Washing Washing the Hands 126 Motzi’ah/Matzah: Unleavened Bread Birkat Haléḥem, Akhilat Matzah: Blessing before the Meal, Blessing for Eating Matzah 128 Maror: Bitter Herb T’vilat Maror Va’akhilato: Dipping and Eating the Bitter Herb 130 Sweet and Salt, Bitter and Sweet 133 Korekh: Sandwich Eating the “Hillel Sandwich” 134 Shulḥan Orekh: Setting the Table The Meal Is Served 135 Tzafun: Hidden Eating the Afikoman 137 Concealment and Revealment (Kavanah) 139 Barekh: Blessing Birkat Hamazon: Blessing after the Meal 140 Birkat P’ri Hagéfen: Fruit of the Vine (Third Cup) 142 סיום CONCLUDING THE SEDER Kos Eliyáhu: Elijah’s Cup 146 Who Was Elijah? (Kavanah) 148 The Promise of Elijah Hallel 2, Mizmorey T’hilim: Psalms 153 B’tzet Yisra’el: When Israel Went Forth 154 Mah-l’kha Hayam: O Sea, What Alarms You 156 Y’varekh et-Bet Yisra’el: May the House of Israel Be Blessed 158 Hal’lu et-Adonay: Praise God, All You Nations 160 Min-Hametzar Karáti Yah: In Distress, I Called Out 162 Kol Rinah Vishu’ah: The Voice of Rejoicing 162 Pitḥu-li Sha’arey-tzédek: Open the Gates of Justice 162 Od’kha Ki Anitáni: I Give Thanks 164 Birkat P’ri Hagéfen: Fruit of the Vine (Fourth Cup) 166 Nirtzah: Fulfillment of the Seder Birkat Hagéfen Ufiryah: Blessing of Fruitfulness 168 שירים SONGS About the Songs 175 Ḥad Gadya: One Little Kid 176 Eḥad Mi Yodé’a?: Who Knows One? 188 Adir Hu: Mighty Is God 190 Karev Yom: Bring Near the Day 192 Acknowledgments

Reviews

How lovely to have a haggadah that makes central the biblical narrative that hovers over-but is absent from-the traditional haggadah. Those familiar with Marcia Falk's transformational work on Jewish blessings will be delighted by her new blessings for all parts of the seder, while those not yet acquainted with her blessings will find them a revelation. This is a beautiful haggadah. -Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai and coauthor, with Carol P. Christ, of Goddess and God in the World In Night of Beginnings Marcia Falk continues the brilliant, groundbreaking work she began in her Book of Blessings. Her poetic voice seamlessly combines a profoundly feminist orientation with deep reading of Jewish tradition, and her sometimes daring kavanot (directions of the heart) encourage fresh conversation to renew the seder experience for contemporary participants. -Rabbi David Teutsch, editor of Kol Haneshamah Reconstructionist prayer books Night of Beginnings once more reveals the liturgical genius of Marcia Falk. Her blessings honor classical Jewish tradition while celebrating a modern ethos that is feminist and inclusive. This magnificent haggadah will provide a spiritually enriching seder experience of unique depth. -Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor emeritus, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Poet and scholar Marcia Falk builds a luminous bridge between the old and the new, firmly mooring the modern ritual to the ancient biblical narrative and inspiring us with the preeminent story of the passage from slavery to freedom, from darkness to light. -Yair Zakovitch, emeritus professor of Bible, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and recipient of the Israel Prize A prophet and founding mother of feminist Judaism, Marcia Falk has played a pioneering role in modern Jewish ritual and liturgy. Immersed in profound knowledge of the traditional sources and a fresh vision of Jewish worship, her writing has inspired worshippers, writers, and religious leaders for over four decades. Her newest gift, Night of Beginnings, is a work of wisdom, art, and love. -Rabbi Dalia Marx, professor of liturgy, Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem Marcia Falk has lovingly gifted us with a poetic recounting of the biblical narrative along with eloquent rituals, blessings, and meditations. Pastel-colored pages invite readers to distinguish the book's varied elements. Rather than illustrate her haggadah with yet more interpretations of centuries-old classic iconography, Falk adorns her celebratory text with her own elegantly drafted spring flora to create a gorgeous and exceptionally important haggadah. -Mark Podwal, artist and recipient of the Foundation for Jewish Culture Achievement Award Every generation must see itself as leaving Egypt, and every generation must tell the story anew. In this resonant retelling, Marcia Falk weaves ancient passages with new poetic creations. Newcomers as well as those deeply engaged with Jewish ritual will discover the overflowing of Miriam's and Elijah's cups in this stunning haggadah. -Rabbi Naamah Kelman, dean, Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem

Bold . . . elegant, and eloquent. . . . With the publication of this Haggadah, the North American Jewish community is getting its best chance yet of being exposed to Falk's innovative and deeply thoughtful approach to liturgy. . . . Falk is a wonderful poet and wordsmith in both Hebrew and English . . . the holiday ritual that she has set forth for us to celebrate is . . . described in . . . wonderfully rich and memorable words. . . . The excellent commentary . . . must satisfy those of us who want to talk about enslavement and liberation in non-theological terms. -Herbert Levine, Tikkun I genuinely love this new haggadah. It speaks to me very deeply. It is beautiful not only in its colorful design, which is superb, but in its theology as well as in its profound liturgical innovations. It has already helped me to begin to prepare for Pesach this year with some new meaning. I will definitely bring it with me to my seder this year. -Rabbi Ron Kronish, Times of Israel How lovely to have a haggadah that makes central the biblical narrative that hovers over-but is absent from-the traditional haggadah. Those familiar with Marcia Falk's transformational work on Jewish blessings will be delighted by her new blessings for all parts of the seder, while those not yet acquainted with her blessings will find them a revelation. This is a beautiful haggadah. -Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai and coauthor, with Carol P. Christ, of Goddess and God in the World In Night of Beginnings Marcia Falk continues the brilliant, groundbreaking work she began in her Book of Blessings. Her poetic voice seamlessly combines a profoundly feminist orientation with deep reading of Jewish tradition, and her sometimes daring kavanot (directions of the heart) encourage fresh conversation to renew the seder experience for contemporary participants. -Rabbi David Teutsch, editor of Kol Haneshamah Reconstructionist prayer books Night of Beginnings once more reveals the liturgical genius of Marcia Falk. Her blessings honor classical Jewish tradition while celebrating a modern ethos that is feminist and inclusive. This magnificent haggadah will provide a spiritually enriching seder experience of unique depth. -Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor emeritus, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Poet and scholar Marcia Falk builds a luminous bridge between the old and the new, firmly mooring the modern ritual to the ancient biblical narrative and inspiring us with the preeminent story of the passage from slavery to freedom, from darkness to light. -Yair Zakovitch, emeritus professor of Bible, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and recipient of the Israel Prize A prophet and founding mother of feminist Judaism, Marcia Falk has played a pioneering role in modern Jewish ritual and liturgy. Immersed in profound knowledge of the traditional sources and a fresh vision of Jewish worship, her writing has inspired worshippers, writers, and religious leaders for over four decades. Her newest gift, Night of Beginnings, is a work of wisdom, art, and love. -Rabbi Dalia Marx, professor of liturgy, Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem Marcia Falk has lovingly gifted us with a poetic recounting of the biblical narrative along with eloquent rituals, blessings, and meditations. Pastel-colored pages invite readers to distinguish the book's varied elements. Rather than illustrate her haggadah with yet more interpretations of centuries-old classic iconography, Falk adorns her celebratory text with her own elegantly drafted spring flora to create a gorgeous and exceptionally important haggadah. -Mark Podwal, artist and recipient of the Foundation for Jewish Culture Achievement Award Every generation must see itself as leaving Egypt, and every generation must tell the story anew. In this resonant retelling, Marcia Falk weaves ancient passages with new poetic creations. Newcomers as well as those deeply engaged with Jewish ritual will discover the overflowing of Miriam's and Elijah's cups in this stunning haggadah. -Rabbi Naamah Kelman, dean, Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem

With orig i nal bless ings and read ings, gen der-inclu sive trans la tions, and text-inspired illus tra tions, Mar cia Falk's Night of Begin nings offers an inno v a tive adap ta tion of the Passover Haggadah . . . [that] encour ages read ers to break free from the tra di tion al Hag gadah text and explore retelling the Passover sto ry in a bold new way. -Jewish Book Council Bold . . . elegant, and eloquent. . . . With the publication of this Haggadah, the North American Jewish community is getting its best chance yet of being exposed to Falk's innovative and deeply thoughtful approach to liturgy. . . . Falk is a wonderful poet and wordsmith in both Hebrew and English . . . the holiday ritual that she has set forth for us to celebrate is . . . described in . . . wonderfully rich and memorable words. . . . The excellent commentary . . . must satisfy those of us who want to talk about enslavement and liberation in non-theological terms. -Herbert Levine, Tikkun I genuinely love this new haggadah. It speaks to me very deeply. It is beautiful not only in its colorful design, which is superb, but in its theology as well as in its profound liturgical innovations. It has already helped me to begin to prepare for Pesach this year with some new meaning. I will definitely bring it with me to my seder this year. -Rabbi Ron Kronish, Times of Israel The acclaimed poet, liturgist and Judaic scholar [Marcia Falk] skillfully traverses that delicate balance between modern perspective and traditional views, inviting readers to explore centuries-old seder night customs as well as her own fresh reflections on hymns, psalms and Passover motifs. -Leah F. Finkelshteyn, Hadassah Magazine When a Haggadah is written by a founding mother of feminist Judaism, as poet and author Marcia Falk is described, the reader can rest assured a fresh view of Jewish worship complete with beauty, artistic creativity, and love will fill the Seder. This Haggadah brings radical new blessings that turn from the traditional patriarchal-themed Seder, affording those who delve into it a revolutionary meditative direction for prayer. -Michael R. Mantell, San Diego Jewish World How lovely to have a haggadah that makes central the biblical narrative that hovers over-but is absent from-the traditional haggadah. Those familiar with Marcia Falk's transformational work on Jewish blessings will be delighted by her new blessings for all parts of the seder, while those not yet acquainted with her blessings will find them a revelation. This is a beautiful haggadah. -Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai and coauthor, with Carol P. Christ, of Goddess and God in the World In Night of Beginnings Marcia Falk continues the brilliant, groundbreaking work she began in her Book of Blessings. Her poetic voice seamlessly combines a profoundly feminist orientation with deep reading of Jewish tradition, and her sometimes daring kavanot (directions of the heart) encourage fresh conversation to renew the seder experience for contemporary participants. -Rabbi David Teutsch, editor of Kol Haneshamah Reconstructionist prayer books Night of Beginnings once more reveals the liturgical genius of Marcia Falk. Her blessings honor classical Jewish tradition while celebrating a modern ethos that is feminist and inclusive. This magnificent haggadah will provide a spiritually enriching seder experience of unique depth. -Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor emeritus, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Poet and scholar Marcia Falk builds a luminous bridge between the old and the new, firmly mooring the modern ritual to the ancient biblical narrative and inspiring us with the preeminent story of the passage from slavery to freedom, from darkness to light. -Yair Zakovitch, emeritus professor of Bible, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and recipient of the Israel Prize A prophet and founding mother of feminist Judaism, Marcia Falk has played a pioneering role in modern Jewish ritual and liturgy. Immersed in profound knowledge of the traditional sources and a fresh vision of Jewish worship, her writing has inspired worshippers, writers, and religious leaders for over four decades. Her newest gift, Night of Beginnings, is a work of wisdom, art, and love. -Rabbi Dalia Marx, professor of liturgy, Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem

Author Information

Marcia Falk is a poet, translator, liturgist, and artist known widely for her groundbreaking prayer books The Book of Blessings and The Days Between, which re-create Hebrew and English prayer from an inclusive, nonpatriarchal perspective. Falk is also the creator of a volume combining her art and poetry, Inner East: Illuminated Poems and Blessings, and other books of poetry and translation, including a now-classic translation of the Song of Songs.

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