Rabbi Reuven Hammer offers extensive and edifying commentary on the religious themes, historical background, and literary context on the traditional Ashkenazic prayerbook. The commentary appears in the margins around the previously-published Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat & Festivals, retaining the earlier work's pagination, making this volume both familiar and usable in public worship. Dr. Hammer addresses exegetical and homiletic issues raised by the text. He comments on words, phrases, themes and structure, and adds pointers on generally accepted practice. A concise and informative introduction, commentary on Pirkei Avot, and a glossary are a bonus. This is a "must have" for the student of classical traditional Judaism and a great aid to the worshiper in the contemporary synagogue.
The typeface of the prayerbook is small, with the commentary somewhat larger; the volume is large but managable. It is attractive and suitable as a gift.

Even if you have been attending synagogue for years, this book will give you a greater understanding of the meaning of the entire service....and for someone less experienced it will be ever more helpful.

The Siddur is a precious, age-old resource of Jewish spirituality, and the prayer service is an anchor for Jewish community. But it is complex. Rabbi Hammer helps us find our way, historically and in the synagogue services of today. A good companion book is MINDING THE TEMPLE OF THE SOUL, which adds meditations and movements you can do in your own home. With these, you can enrich your prayer life, your community life, and your relationship to God.

Reuven Hammer does a wonderful job explaining away about traditional Jewish prayer. He goes into depth and detail to explain how the synogogue service works. This is a definate read for any person who is just starting to redescover their Jewish heritage.

This book provides a summary to the the liturgy, and services, of the High Holy Days. Hammer gives historical information for the prayers, and services, that take place on these sacred days. This is book is a mature, serious approach to the Days of Awe. This by no means it is unapproachable. It is quite readable. Readers who want a deeper understanding of the origins of the prayers, and services, will enjoy this book. People will learn about what the days hold in terms of what the liturgy holds for the worshipper and how the prayers came to exist in their current form. The first three chapters set the stage for this period by describing the development, meanings and preparing for the holidays. Following chapters take up each service in turn.

Rabbi Hammer has organized a passagway that takes you through the prayer texts of the Yamim Noraim. This is a must use for either Adult Ed knowledgeable Jews or those looking for meaning and engagement in the classic religious texts. He brings understanding, and a historical context to otherwise obscure piyutim (poems) and rabbinicly organized prayers. It can be used alongside the Machzor( (prayerbook) as the service unfolds or as a preparation for the spiritual journey of the most important ten days of the year for the jews.