Reviewing: “Shalom Rav Haggadah” by Rav Shalom Rosner. Maggid Books. 2023. Hebrew and English. Hardcover. 376 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1592646173.
The Talmud (Pesachim 6a) states that one should ask and teach about the laws of Pesach 30 days before the holiday begins. Some are accustomed, at their Purim meal, which is 30 days before Pesach, to start learning the laws of Pesach. Furthermore, a month before Pesach is a great time to prepare for the holiday by getting a new Haggadah.
The last 15 years or so have seen a massive increase in the number of Pesach Haggadahs being printed. There are now Haggadahs for every type of person, young or old, spiritual or Brisker, traditional and very contemporary, and more.
The need for a Haggadah that a person can relate to is an imperative. As the Haggadah itself states that in every generation, a person must regard himself as though he personally had gone out of Egypt, as it is said: “And you shall tell your son in that day, saying: ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.’”
One of the new Haggadahs for 5783 is the ”Shalom Rav Haggadah” by Rabbi Shalom Rosner, the rav of Kehillas Nofei HaShemesh in Beit Shemesh. A superstar rebbe, he is well known for his Daf Yomi and parsha shiurim, which have a large internet audience.
There is no shortage of brilliant people. However, not every brilliant person has the ability to elucidate complex ideas in a way people can understand. Rabbi Rosner is one of those rare individuals who can do that. He also has his pulse on the spiritual state of things, and his insights are reflected here. Rabbi Rosner quotes extensively from one of his teachers, perhaps the greatest living scholar alive, Rabbi Asher Weiss.
The ”Shalom Rav Haggadah” is an enjoyable, readable and insightful Haggadah that will undoubtedly enhance your Pesach Seder.
—-Reviewing: “Road to Redemption” by Rabbi Steven Pruzansky. Kodesh Press. 2023. Hardcover. 463 pages. ISBN-13: 979-8888940044.
Another person who has his pulse on the state of things is Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, now in Israel, formerly of Teaneck.
The 16 essays in “Road to Redemption” (Kodesh Press) have, in fact, their roots in Teaneck, where Pruzansky served as rabbi of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun for 26 years until 2020, when he relocated to Israel. The essays here are based on the Shabbos Hagadol drashas he gave during his tenure at Bnai Yeshurun.
At nearly 500 pages, this is a book that is as deep as it is broad. Getting this shortly before Pesach, and I am still reading this deep work. Similar to his previous work ”Repentance for Life,” Pruzansky’s essays contain 15-20 penetrating questions that cut to the core of what the nature of the Pesach holiday is about.
Just as the need for a Haggadah that a person can relate to is imperative, so too is it necessary for a person to see Pesach as being contemporary and meaningful.
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik said that if he were to add to Maimonides’ 13 Principles of Faith, his 14th principle would be that the values and legal constructs of the Torah are timeless and have absolute relevance to every generation and location. In this insightful book, Pruzansky shows the everlasting relevance of Pesach to the reader. With a three-day holiday coming up, there is ample time for everyone to read an interesting book such as “Road to Redemption.”
Ben Rothke lives in New Jersey and works in the information security field. He reviews books on religion, technology and science. @benrothke
