A Book of Life (Paperback)

Michael Strassfeld

ISBN 10: 1580232477 / ISBN 13: 9781580232470

Published by Jewish Lights Publishing, Woodstock, 2006

About this Item

Paperback. For all the cycles of life, best-selling author, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, presents traditional Jewish teachings as a guide to behaviour and values. Where the tradition is replete with rituals (for example, the Sabbath), he describes them and shows how they can enrich spiritual living. Where rituals are sparse or non-existent (for example, returning home at the end of the workday), he suggests new ones gleaned from his own study and experience. Strassfeld, also, brings the principles of "insight meditation" to Jewish life, using this practice to recover and reconstruct Judaism's spiritual dimension. He describes a Judaism that encourages within us a spiritual awareness as we participate in both traditional Jewish practices and the mundane activities of daily life. By engaging with Jewish tradition in ways that recapture its original kavanah, or intention, we will, Strassfeld maintains, achieve the two fundamental goals of Judaism: to become better human beings and to be in God's presence. Presents traditional Jewish teachings as a guide to behaviour and values. Where the tradition is replete with rituals, the author describes them and shows how they can enrich spiritual living. Where rituals are sparse or non-existent, he suggests the ones gleaned from his own study and experience. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781580232470

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Book of Life (Paperback)
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing, Woodstock
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1580232477
• ISBN 13: 9781580232470
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

A book that charts a clear path to a more spiritually rich practice of Judaism―from the coauthor of the best-selling Jewish Catalog volumes.

For all the cycles of life, best-selling author Rabbi Michael Strassfeld presents traditional Jewish teachings as a guide to behavior and values. Where the tradition is replete with rituals (for example, the Sabbath), he describes them and shows how they can enrich spiritual living. Where rituals are sparse or nonexistent (for example, returning home at the end of the workday), he suggests new ones gleaned from his own study and experience.

Strassfeld also brings the principles of "insight meditation" to Jewish life, using this practice to recover and reconstruct Judaism's spiritual dimension. He describes a Judaism that encourages within us a spiritual awareness as we participate in both traditional Jewish practices and the mundane activities of daily life. By engaging with Jewish tradition in ways that recapture its original kavanah, or intention, we will, Strassfeld maintains, achieve the two fundamental goals of Judaism-to become better human beings and to be in God's presence. (Hardcover published in 2002 by Schocken Books, ISBN 0-8052-4124-8.)

About the Author

Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, coauthor of the three volumes of The Jewish Catalog and of A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah and author of The Jewish Holidays: A Guide and Commentary, is the rabbi of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, a synagogue in Manhattan.