The story is told of Rabbi Leo Baeck on a early visit to
America after the war. Baeck was
approached by the editor of a leading Jewish literary journal with an
idea. The editor wanted to gather together
all the greatest contemporary Jewish poets and creative writers with the
intention of composing a new prayer book designed to meet the needs of the
time.
Baeck replied with enthusiasm thinking it would be a
worthwhile project. He felt there arose
now and again a generation in which a new contribution to the standard prayers
was necessary and – if they were very fortunate – such a gathering might manage
to produce one new prayer!
"The old shall be made new..." Perhaps there is more there than we have seen or felt.....
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