Koren Sacks Yom Kippur Mahzor: Hebrew/English Prayerbook with Commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (English and Hebrew Edition)

Brilliant commentary- brought meaning and inspiration to prayer.

I am used to Artscroll, but it wasn't with me this year and instead of buying more of the same, I wanted to see what Rabbi Sacks had to say. I've read other things by him and have been very impressed with his sensitivity to those who may not be super religious, as well as his thoughtful insights. His comments induce one to think and reflect and consider. Isn't that one of the purposes of this unique day?I do have a problem with the layout: I am used to using a Hebrew religious text from right to left with Hebrew on the right hand page and it's translation ( which I don't often need) on the left hand facing page. But in these mahzorim ( see my review for the Koren Sacks Rosh Hashana mahzor) the Hebrew text is on the left hand page and it's English translation is on the facing right hand page, In addition, English commentary is left to right at the bottom of the two pages which face one another, and to proceed, when you turn the left page over, you carry on reading the commentary left to right. I guess you eventually get used to it, but being different from every other text I've ever used which has English translation or commentary with the Hebrew, it takes some adjusting. A bit too much thinking when immersed in the liturgy.

Yom Kippur is sometimes a tough day to get through-- the long fast, saying Yizkor for a loved one, reciting the Matyrology. Yet, it's still a beautiful day, full of the promise of G-d's forgiveness. What made this past Yom Kippur a better one was finally having this new machzor, with a wonderful translation and inspiring commentaries. I was used to the fonts and layout, being that I use the Koren Sacks siddur during the year.Like the companion Rosh haShanah machzor, the Yom Kippur machzor contains the updated liturgy lacking in the Birnbaum machzor I used for 30-odd years. I don't find the paper too thin; I think for a book designed for one day a year it's fine. The binding is nicely done.One thing Koren Publishers might consider is to issue a slip-cased set of these (will make a great bar or bat mitzvah gift); also consider issuing this machzorim in personal sizes, as Koren does for the siddur. I know some people would love these in personal sizes.I wrote for the Rosh haShanah machzor that it should become my shul's machzor; I say the same for this machzor as well.

Beautiful book at a fair price. Apparent disregard for shipping and handling given significant damage to the cover (bubble mailer inside of a thin paperboard envelope) . That damage would make me reconsider buying from this seller.

It's always tricky to change one's prayerbook (machzor) when one is used to a particular format or edition. That said, I decided to buy the Sacks-Koren machzor because I am a great admirer of Rabbi Sacks' writings and scholarship, and from that point of view it does not disappoint. As far as the physical book, I like the ecru-colored pages which are easier on the eyes, and the font is nice. Strangely, nowhere that I could find does it say that it is nusach Ashkenaz. But the worst thing is the paper: it is TERRIBLE! It is SO thin, that it is difficult to turn individual pages without them sticking or crumpling, and worse, you can see the text from the following page underneath, which is extremely annoying. What a shame that Koren, after investing so much in this new edition of the Yom Kippur machzor, decided to cost-cut when it came to the paper quality. That prevents it from my giving it five stars, and worse, it also prevents me from using it for davening (prayers) this or any future Yom Kippur.

Excellent layout and translation. On of the largest problems I had with the Artscroll Machzor was the run on English translations and the italicized fonts which was difficult to read for extended periods.The text in the Koren edition is broken up into segments that are easy to comprehend and provide an enhanced experience in understanding the meaning. As always, Rabbi Sacks provides thought provoking and insightful commentary.Once you use Koren products, there is no turning back to other publishers.

As a rabbi, I have many, many books on Yom Kippur. This one is quite out of the ordinary. Rabbi Sacks brings out insight after insight. Did you know that Judaism was the first philosphy-religion to have a concept of forgiveness? Did you know that there is a difference between atonement and tschuva (return)? The Introduction (about 75 pages) is alone worth the price of the book. I don't always agree with the Rabbi but I found this fascinating. Buy it. it will make your Yom Kippur much more meaningful.

I BOUGHT THE YOM KIPPUR AND ROSH HASHANA MACHZORIM BECAUSE I'M ENJOYING THE SIDDUR SO MUCH. JUST BROKE THE FAST AND THOUGHT THAT THE REVIEW OF THE YK MACHZOR IS APPROPRIATE. IT IS GREAT. CLEAR TYPE, EASY INSTRUCTIONS (I DAVEN WITH A NON-ASHKENAZ MINYAN) AND THE NOTES ARE SPECTACULAR. A REAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE. HEBREW IS NOT JAMMED SO THAT READING IS PLEASURABLE. ENGLISH TRANSLATION IS CLEAR AND THE NOTES EXPLAIN WHAT THE READER WANTS TO KNOW. A VALUABLE ASSET TO MY PERSONAL LIBRARY. THIS REVIEW IS APPLICABLE TO THE RH MACHZOR ALSO.