# The Art of Public Prayer (2nd Edition): Not for Clergy Only - Hardcover

by **Lawrence A. Hoffman** (Author)

**A resource for worshipers today looking to change hardened worship patterns  
that stand in the way of everyday spirituality.**

All too often, those who attend church or synagogue find themselves bored or baffled by the service. Their predominant thought is how slowly the time ticks by--and that the service never seems to end.

Written for laypeople and clergy of any denomination, _The Art of Public Prayer_ examines how and why religious ritual works--and why it often doesn't work.

_The Art of Public Prayer_ uses psychology, social science, theology and common sense to explain the key roles played by ritual, symbolism, liturgy and song in services. Each chapter features "conversation points" designed to get you and your faith community thinking and talking about your own worship patterns--where they succeed, and where they need improvement.

_The Art of Public Prayer_ can help you and your fellow congregants revitalize your worship service by allowing you to organize and direct your own worship, making it a meaningful and fulfilling part of your life.

### Author Biography

**Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman,** **PhD**, has served for more than three decades as professor of liturgy at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He is a world-renowned liturgist and holder of the Stephen and Barbara Friedman Chair in Liturgy, Worship and Ritual. His work combines research in Jewish ritual, worship and spirituality with a passion for the spiritual renewal of contemporary Judaism.

His many books, written and edited, include seven volumes in the _Prayers of Awe_ series: _Who by Fire, Who by Water-_Un'taneh Tokef; _All These Vows-_Kol Nidre; _We Have Sinned: Sin and Confession in Judaism-_Ashamnu _and_ Al Chet; _May God Remember: Memory and Memorializing in Judaism-_Yizkor; _All the World: Universalism, Particularism and the High Holy Days_; _Naming God:_ Avinu Malkeinu_\-__Our Father, Our King_; and _Encountering God:_ El Rachum V'chanun-_God Merciful and Gracious_. Hoffman also edited the ten-volume series _My People's Prayer Book: Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries_, winner of the National Jewish Book Award; and coedited _My People's Passover Haggadah: Traditional Texts, Modern Commentaries_, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award (all Jewish Lights).Rabbi Hoffman cofounded and developed Synagogue 2/3000, a transdenominational project to envision and implement the ideal synagogue of the spirit for the twenty-first century. In that capacity, he wrote _Rethinking Synagogues: A New Vocabulary for Congregational Life_ (Jewish Lights).

**Number of Pages:** 288

**Dimensions:** 0.75 x 9 x 6 IN

**Publication Date:** April 01, 1999

## Details

- **Price:** 34.54 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 34.54 USD | In stock |

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- The Art of Public Prayer (2nd Edition): Not for Clergy Only - Hardcover

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