Gates of Mitzvah: A Guide to the Jewish Life Cycle

Gates of Mitzvah, also known as Shaarei Mitzvah, is a comprehensive guide to Jewish observance throughout the cycle of life. Included in this volume are sections on birth, childhood, education, marriage, the Jewish home, death and mourning, complete notes and a wide selection of consise essays on related topics. In keeping with the traditional Jewish emphasis on deed rather than creed as the primary expression of religious life, Gates of Mitzvah encourages the performance of specific mitzvot (sanctifying acts) as the key to Jewish survival. Gates of Mitzvah was written to help modern Jews make responses, to give their lives Jewish depth and character. While honoring the Reform Jewish principle of individual choice, it suggests that Jewish survival requires commitment to come meangingful level of Jewish performance, and that such commitment can bring great joy to home and family.

W. Gunther Plaut was born in Germany, but in 1935 fled the Nazis for the United States, where he became a rabbi. He was President of the Canadian Jewish Congress and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and from 1978 to 1985 served as Vice-Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Rabbi Plaut received nineteen honorary degrees and was a Companion of the Order of Canada. He published twenty-five books. Rabbi Plaut passed away in February 2012 at the age of 99.