Review of Redemption, Then and Now: Pesah Haggada With Essays and Commentary. By Rabbi Benjamin Blech. Hardcover. 318 pages. $24.95. ISBN: 978 1-940516-738

For Passover 2017, the best-selling author of several books on Judaism now shares his insights into Seder night with the world. “Redemption, Then and Now” features the complete haggadah text alongside Rabbi Blech’s fascinating commentary and essays that explore the themes of the Passover holiday.

Like many Haggadot under the Koren publishing house, this edition is double-sided: The Hebrew side comprises the Koren haggadah and translation, accompanied by the author’s commentary; the English side includes 23 short essays on the themes of Pesah, the seder, and its various rituals. The commentary and essays are noted for their easy, accessible style, and the author’s great love for gematria and word play, featured throughout.

“Redemption, Then and Now: Pesah Haggada” is published by Menorah Books, an imprint of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. Menorah is your Koren destination for quality fiction and nonfiction that warm the Jewish heart, appeal to the soul and inspire thoughtful reflection in areas of Jewish spirituality and religious experience, for both adults and young readers.

Rabbi Benjamin Blech is an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, author and lecturer. He has written 19 books, many of which have been best sellers. His most recent work, “The Sistine Secrets,” is now sold in 26 countries and has been translated into 16 languages. His first book, “Understanding Judaism: The Basics of Deed and Creed,” was called “the single best book on Judaism in our generation” by the Orthodox Union, and he is the popularly acclaimed author of “The Idiots’ Guide to Judaism.” Rabbi Blech has been a professor of talmud at Yeshiva University since 1966, and was the Rabbi of Young Israel of Oceanside for 37 years. His students number in the thousands. He and his wife currently live in New York City.