"With illuminating essays, Francine Klagsbrun takes the reader through every month of the Hebrew calendar, discussing and analyzing its special days. Subjects range from the crossing of the Red Sea to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 to the symbols and customs of the High Holy Days. Always, the book raises probing questions: What is the significance of the number seven in Jewish thought? Is messianism dangerous for the Jewish people? What was the role of women in the Passover story? Why did rabbis condemn the first Greek translation of the Torah? Included throughout are intriguing explanations for the signs of the zodiac and legends and interpretations that reflect the kabbalists' mystical view of the world. Mark Podwal's stunning paintings and witty drawings bring the year's varying moods even more vividly to life."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved