Who by Fire, Who by Water: Un'taneh Tokef

The most controversial prayer of the Jewish New Year—what it means, who wrote it, why we say it.

Over forty contributors who span three continents and all major Jewish denominations examine Un'taneh Tokef's theology, authorship, and poetry through a set of lively commentaries. Men and women, scholars and rabbis, artists and poets trace the history of Un’taneh Tokef and connect the prayer to its biblical and rabbinic roots. They wrestle with the personal and community impact of its deeply moving imagery, probe its haunting message of human mortality, and reflect on its call for sanctity, transformation and renewal.

Prayers of Awe: A multi-volume series designed to explore the High Holy Day liturgy and enrich the praying experience for everyone—whether experienced worshipers or guests who encounter Jewish prayer for the very first time.

Contributors

Merri Lovinger Arian

Rabbi Tony Bayfield, DD

Rabbi Sharon Brous

Dr. Marc Brettler

Dr. Erica Brown

Rabbi Ruth Durchslag, PsyD

Rabbi Edward Feinstein

Rabbi Elyse D. Frishman

Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, PhD

Dr. Joel M. Hoffman

Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur

Rabbi Elie Kaunfer

Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar

Dr. Reuven Kimelman

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

Rabbi Noa Kushner

Rabbi Daniel Landes

Rabbi Ruth Langer, PhD

Liz Lerman

Rabbi Asher Lopatin

Catherine Madsen

Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, PhD

Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD

Ruth Messinger

Rabbi Charles H. Middleburgh, PhD

Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum

Rabbi Aaron Panken, PhD

Rabbi Or N. Rose

Rabbi Marc Saperstein, PhD

Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Rabbi Jonathan P. Slater, DMin

Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek

Rabbi David Stern

Rabbi David A. Teutsch, PhD

Rabbi Gordon Tucker, PhD

Dr. Ellen M. Umansky

Rabbi Avraham Weiss

Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig, DD

Dr. Ron Wolfson

Rabbi David J. Wolpe

Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel

Dr. Wendy Zierler