(Women). Shas Tekhine Rav Peninim

(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

Hebrew Publishing Company

New York

1916

Yiddish text

This anthology of Yiddish Tekhines contains many original prayers written specifically for immigrant women in America that reflect the religious, economic, family and urban nature of their adopted land. The most dramatic Tekhine in the volume is a prayer in memory of Isador and Ida Straus (pp. 257-8), who perished on the Titanic. Isador was a New York department store magnate, communal leader and philanthropist. Isador’s wife Ida, declined a place on a lifeboat with other women and children so as not to leave her husband. She was honored by American Jews in sermon, song and prayer. A Tekhine for lighting Sabbath candles composed “especially for America” reveals the feelings of guilt among many American Jewish women who were compelled to work on Saturday. The prayer begs forgiveness for desecrating the Sabbath and beseeches assistance from tha families may earn a living and still be able to observe the Sabbath appropriately (pp. 50-54). Among other new tekhines are for women abandoned by their husbands (pp. 309-11); mothers with children or relatives were fighting in World War I (pp.304-06); and immigrants who heard unfavorable news from the “old home” (pp. 311-12) American Judaica: See also Lots ***