Lots of important questions are asked in this anthology of essays, and that is just fine with Jews who enjoy theological conversation and debate. Editor Lawrence A. Hoffman observes that the question "Why be Jewish?" is being discussed in many quarters in these pluralistic times. He states: "Particularism is a Jew's primary attachment to and concern for other Jews. Universalism is our parallel attachment to the causes of humanity in general. Both are part of Judaism. There need be no conflict between the two positions."

Hoffman has assembled a resource with 40 contributors for this fifth volume in the "Prayers of Awe" series. They come from all Jewish denominations and write from many perspectives — the arts, philosophy, literature, theology, ethics, and science. As a number of writers point out, the liturgy and calendar compel believers to swing between particularism and universalism.

Hoffman puts all of these questions in perspective when he writes:

"Jews are a historic and historical chain of individuals who have been part of civilization since the dawn of human memory. We continue to impact humanity as a whole because — at least in our ritual moments — we come to believe that God put us here to do just that. We have a mission to the world, not to convert it but to better it: to help it remember the God whom we discovered at Sinai but who, we believe, is available in one form or another to all humankind. This is the universal message of the High Holy Day service, our reason d'etre, our very reason for being — nothing less."