The Jewish Eye - The Complete ArtScroll Machzor for Yom Kippur: Large Print Edition

The Complete ArtScroll Machzor for Yom Kippur

The Complete ArtScroll Machzor for Yom Kippur
The Weinberg Foundation Large Type Edition - Nusach Ashkenaz
A new translation and anthologized commentary By Rabbi Nosson Scherman, and Co-edited by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz
Mesorah Publications, Ltd., (1994)
ISBN: 0-89906-724-7

Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness:

The Weinberg Foundation's large type edition of the ArtScroll Machzor for Yom Kippur is the companion volume to the ArtScroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah. As with the Rosh Hashanah edition, this Yom Kippur Machzor is a phenomenal resource for visually impaired individuals, and for those that prefer large type text. The text is printed in a crisp, clear, font. Most of the text is printed in a 18-point font, with some sections, such as the beginning of the Shema, are printed in a larger type size for emphasis. A few portions, such as some commentaries, are printed in a 16-point font. Throughout, the pages are well laid out and the words well spaced for ease of reading. The main text is printed in vowelized Hebrew with the English translations on the facing pages. The commentaries and instructions are printed in English. The book is right opening.

This large type edition of the Yom Kippur Machzor provides all the prayers, services, and instructional details for all the traditional observance of this solemn Holy Day. This Machzor follows the Ashkenaz tradition and offers all the traditional services, such as the Kol Nidrei, Shacharis, Mussaf, Minchah, Me'ilah, and after Yom Tov services. This holiday prayer book also offers special instructions on such topics as the kindling of the lights on Erev Yom Tov and how Yom Kippur is observed if it falls on the Sabbath. It also includes information on the two special candles that are lit on Yom Kippur.

The commentary included in this edition represents an abridgment of the commentary found in the standard print edition of the ArtScroll Machzor for Yom Kippur. This step was taken in order to keep the size of the large type edition within manageable bounds, without eliminating any of the text found in the standard print edition of the prayer book. The English translation and the anthologized commentary found in this prayer book are by Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Rabbi Scherman's translation is flowing and adhere closely to Hebrew, offering the English reader an enriching and uplifting insight into the prayer service. This edition was co-edited by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz. The text concludes with a selection of laws and customs related to Yom Kippur, a list of verses from the Tanach, in Hebrew only, associated with peoples names, and transliterated versions of the Rabbis' and Mourner's Kaddish.

As with all the books in the ArtScroll Mesorah Series, this prayer book adheres to only the highest standards. Both the textual content and the quality of the printing are excellent. As well, this prayer book is strongly bound, creating a sturdy and durable book - an especially important consideration as this prayer book consists of 1261 pages. Despite its length, this prayer book is remarkably easy to handle. This prayer book comes with a ribbon, sewn into the binding, for use as a handy bookmark. The hardcover edition, which was examined for the purposes of this review has a dark blue cover with gold embossed lettering. The ArtScroll Yom Kippur Machzor is also available in alligator, white, and maroon leather bindings.

This large type edition of the ArtScroll Yom Kippur Machzor was made possible by a grant from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and by the Mesorah Heritage Foundation's sponsorship of the scholarly work needed to bring such a monumental work to fruition. The Weinberg Foundation also made possible the publication of a large type edition of the ArtScroll Rosh Hashanah Machzor, which matches the Yom Kippur Machzor. Combined, this two-volume set offers readers a unified, complete set of Machzorim for the High Holy Days.

Related Reviews:

The Complete ArtScroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, by Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz.
The Weinberg Foundation's large type edition of the ArtScroll Rosh Hashanah Machzor, combined with the ArtScroll Yom Kippur Machzor, offers readers a unified, and complete set of large type Machzorim for the High Holidays.
Artscroll Sabbath and Festivals Siddur, edited by Rabbi Nosson Scherman
The Nusach Ashkenaz edition of the Weinberg Foundation Large Type Edition of the Artscroll Sabbath and Festivals Siddur featuring a new translation and anthologized commentary by Rabbi Scherman.

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