Service of the Heart

Evelyn Garfield captures the essence of Jewish worship in this book. Although it was written nearly fifty years ago, it is as fresh now as when it was first published. Garfield is well versed in the matter of Jewish prayer, and her love for the subject matter shines through every page. This book is a must read for anyone considering conversion to Judaism, or those who really want to understand the how and why about Jewish prayer. It will add meaning to your worship experience.

This book describes the basic order of the Jewish prayer service, and gives historical background on its evolution. The language is clear and engaging. Best of all, the author's love for the topic shines through on every page. Garfiel calls the service an expression of the "everyday mysticism" of generations of rabbis, and manages to convey this feeling through the quality of the writing.