Let My People Go

Rabbi Cohen has written an engaging companion to the Haggadah that is at once original, thought provoking, erudite, and humane. A modern sensibility meets an ancient text, and the result is a series of interpretations that will give every reader something new to think about on the timeless yet always timely themes of exodus, freedom, and responsibility. -Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of Britain and the Commonwealth -- Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, United Hebrew Congregation of the British Commonwealth Rabbi Cohens essays provide readable, informative, and inspiring guidance to a number of intriguing and often confusing, Passover customs His novel insights are carefully argued. -Stefan C. Reif Professor of Medieval Hebrew Studies and Director of Genizah Research, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom -- Stephan C Reif, Professor of Medieval Hebrew Studies and Director of Genziah Research, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

About the Author Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey M. Cohen has distinguished himself in the field of religious affairs as a broadcaster, lecturer, writer, and reviewer. A graduate of Jews College, London, and the Yeshivot of Manchester and Gateshead, he gained a first class honors degree and a masters degree in philosophy from London University and a Ph.D. from Glasgow University. He is the author of fourteen books the most recent being Prayer and Penitence: A Commentary on the High Holy Day Machzor, Following the Synagogue Service, 1,001 Questions and Answers on Pesach, 1,001 Questions and Answers on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as well as over 300 articles. Rabbi Cohen currently serves as senior rabbi of the Stanmore Synagogue in London, England, the largest Orthodox congregation in Europe, and is a past member of the Chief Rabbis cabinet. He and his wife Gloria have four children and ten grandchildren.

Table of Contents Preface Foreword 1. The Fertility of the Early Israelites 2. Why We Were Slaves in Egypt 3. Is Freedom a Jewish Concept? 4. A Nation of Survivors! 5. Searching for the Chametz and the Origin of Pesach 6. The Symbolism of the Paschal Lamb 7. Why Moses is Not Mentioned in the Haggadah 8. The Four Cups of Wine 9. Four Sons or One? 10. The Son without Questions 11. Dislodging the Wicked Sons Teeth 12. Not Just Once, but in Every Generation 13. R. Eleazars Dispute with the Sages 14. A Problem Verse in Dayyenu 15. Rabban Gamaliel Used to Say 16. The Message of Hillels Sandwich 17. The Spirit of the Shirah 18. Marital Lessons from Shir Hashirim 19. The Challenge of the Omer Period 20. Lag bOmer and World Reconciliation Index