The Way Into Jewish Mystical Tradition - Softcover

Hoffman, Rabbi Lawrence A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1580232000 ISBN 13: 9781580232005

Publisher: Jewish Lights, 2004

Synopsis

An accessible introduction to the concepts of Jewish mysticism, their religious
and spiritual significance, and how they relate to our lives.

The Way Into Jewish Mystical Tradition allows us to experience and understand mysticism's inexpressible reverence before the awe and mystery of creation, and celebrate this rich tradition's quest to transform our ordinary reality into holiness.

About this title

About the Author

Lawrence Kushner, author, lecturer and spiritual leader, is regarded as one of the most creative religious thinkers and writers in America. A commentator on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, he has focused us on spiritual renewal with wisdom and humor. Through his books and lectures, people of every faith and background have found inspiration and new strength for spiritual search and growth. It has been said that some spiritual leaders blend religion and psychology to help us walk better on the ground, but Lawrence Kushner draws on the wisdom of the mystics to help us dance better on the ceiling.

Kushner's acclaimed books include I’m God; You’re Not: Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego; Honey from the Rock: An Easy Introduction to Jewish Mysticism; Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary; The Book of Letters: A Mystical Hebrew Alphabet; Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians; and In God’s Hands, an inspiring fable for children, with Gary Schmidt (all Jewish Lights).

Kushner served as rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Sudbury, Massachusetts, for almost thirty years; he is currently the Emanu-El scholar at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, and an adjunct faculty member at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. He is fascinated by graphic design and computers (designing most of his Jewish Lights books). He enjoys Mozart, hanging around sailboats, and making his granddaughters giggle.

From the Inside Flap

For everyone who wants to understand the concepts of Jewish mysticism, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism, and allows you to interact directly with the sacred mystical texts of the Jewish tradition.

Guided by Lawrence Kushner, a leading teacher of Jewish mysticism, The Way Into Jewish Mystical Tradition helps us explore the world of Jewish mysticism, its religious and spiritual significance, and how it relates to our lives.

What "Jewish mysticism" means. Classic and less familiar texts and guidance on how to approach them allow us to learn the key ideas of Jewish mysticism firsthand.

Why mystical tradition is a part of the modern Jewish experience. The Bible, midrash, the Jewish prayer book, and rabbinic literature teach us that mysticism is not something we "do" but is an attitude toward how we approach our daily lives, an important way of understanding, organizing, and enriching Jewish religious life today and every day.

How mysticism contributes to Jewish spirituality. Through becoming aware of the Jewish mystical tradition and its goals, we share in the work of restoring harmony to the world we live in.

The Way Into Jewish Mystical Tradition allows us to experience and understand mysticism s inexpressible reverence before the awe and mystery of creation, and celebrate this rich tradition s quest to transform our ordinary reality into holiness.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jewish Lights
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1580232000
• ISBN 13: 9781580232005
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224