Rabbi Nissel, the Rabbinic Advisor, initiator, and driving forcebehind JemSem, has just published a sefer of particular interest to the JemSem audience. "Rigshei Lev - Women and Tefillah: Perspectives, Laws and Customs" promises to be an inspirational and educational experience. As a student in one of his Tefillah classes, I assure you that this sefer is not to be missed! Here is the description from the book cover:

"Since the days when our foremothers wept for children, since the moment when Chana silently whispered her prayer in the Mishkan, there has been a profound link between Jewish women and tefillah.

Rabbi Menachem Nissel, noted educator and lecturer, has been exploring this special relationship between prayer and women for many years. In his classes he has been asked countless questions about women and tefillah. Some of these are purely halachic, reflecting new challenges and new modes of life. Others focus on the goals of tefillah and on women's obligations and connection to the world of prayer.

In this important new work, Rabbi Nissel gives us answers to these questions. The section on laws and customs is clear, practical and comprehensive, and includes more than three hundred new piskei halachah by today's eminent Torah scholars, including different rulings for Nusachs Ashkenaz, Sefard-Chasidi and Sefardi, as well as extensive footnotes for those interested in studying the original sources. The portion that deals with the philosophy of prayer offers an eye-opening analysis of the nature of prayer and women's unique and vital role.

Rigshei Lev - Women and Tefillah: Perspectives, Laws, and Customs gives a beautifully delineated understanding of what we are trying to accomplish when we open siddurim - and our hearts."

Please see the Targum Press website where the sefer is now being featured. The sefer is now available in the US. Please contact the following people to order your copy:

New York:
Tamar Tessler
201 Harborview South
Lawrence
New York 11559
Home:(516)239-0940
Cell:(516)410-9666

Los Angeles:
Valley Kollel
12800 Chandler Blvd.
Valley Village, CA 91607
Attn: Rabbi Kohl
(818)508 -7770

If you have any further questions about "Rigshei Lev" and how to get a copy, please write to the webmaster at webmaster@jemsem.org.