By Maxine Segal Handelman
Illustrated by Joani Keller Rothenberg
Ages 4-8, Hardcover
URJ Press

Something is not right in the home of Chaim Yonkel and his wife, Esther. Usually their home is filled with the smells of delicious foods, the sounds of laughing children, and happy smiles on everyone's faces. But this Shabbat finds the family fighting, Shabbat dinner unprepared, and the house a mess.

The Talmud tells the story of two angels, Tov and Rah. According to this legend, these angels follow each person home from synagogue on Shabbat and deliver a blessing. If Shabbat is being honored and the home is filled with Shabbat peace, the angel of good, Tov, gets to deliver the blessing that every Shabbat should be like this one. However, if Shabbat is not being honored, the angel of evil, Rah, gets to deliver the blessing, turning the same words into a curse.

This contemporary version of the talmudic tale, illustrated with breathtaking illustrations by Joani Keller Rothenberg, updates the story for today's families. The Shabbat Angels will delight the whole family while it teaches the importance of Shabbat shalom, Shabbat peace.