Notes on the essay by Abraham Joshua Heschel in Review of Religion vol. 9 no. 2, January (1945) 1. Prayer as an answer “We do not refuse to pray; we abstain from it.” “We cannot make Him visible to us, but we can make ourselves visible to Him. So we open our thoughts to Him.” “To […]
‘Prayer’ – A.J. Heschel (1945) Read More »
Here is a collection of quotations and teachings from various sources that hopefully give an insight into a Chassidic perspective on music; there is a fluidity in the teachings between song, melody, melody with words and melody without words, and instrumental music. There are also a few references and thoughts outside the Chassidic world, that
Nigun, kavanah and Chassidism Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a beautiful book by Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, The Geologist of the Soul: Talks on Rebbe-craft and Spiritual Leadership (2012, Albion / Andalus, Boulder). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. I have paraphrased in order to clarify my own understanding, but there are also direct quotations from the
The Geologist of the Soul (book by Zalman Shachter-Shalomi) Read More »
These are my own gleanings from a wonderful book by Abraham Joshua Heschel, Man’s Quest for God: Studies in Prayer and Symbolism (1954, copyright Susannah Heschel 1996). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. Normally, I paraphrase and summarise much more; however, Heschel has such a powerful command of language, that most of
Man’s Quest for God (book by Heschel) Read More »
There are many websites, resources, and articles, by noted medical experts, rabbis and authorities on Jewish tradition and halachah (law) that set out the arguments both against brit milah (the circumcision ritual for Jewish boys), and for alternative welcoming, naming and covenant ceremonies (such as brit shalom) that do not involve cutting or drawing of blood. You will find a number of useful resources
Celebrating Brit Shalom (book by Moss & Wald) Read More »
These are my own shorthand notes of a wonderful book by Rabbi Nancy Wiener, Beyond Breaking the Glass: A Spiritual Guide to Your Jewish Wedding, (2012, Central Conference of American Rabbis). I hope they encourage you to buy the book. By the way, the notes in square brackets are my own thoughts, rather than ideas gleaned
Beyond Breaking the Glass (Nancy Wiener) – notes on the book Read More »
These are my personal notes that I made when I read: Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi (2012) Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer, Jewish Lights . When I make notes, they are just to jog my own memory of the book, so I am aware that they may not always make sense to the general
These are my personal notes that I made when I read: Mike Comins (2010) Making Prayer Real: Leading Jewish Spiritual Voices on Why Prayer Is Difficult and What to Do about It, Jewish Lights. When I make notes, they are just to jog my own memory of the book, so I am aware that they may not
Making Prayer Real (Mike Comins) – notes on the book Read More »
These are my personal notes that I made when I read: Prager, Rabbi Marcia (1998) Path Of Blessing: Experiencing the Energy and Abundance of the Divine, Jewish Lights. When I make notes, they are just to jog my own memory of the book, so I am aware that they may not always make sense to the general
The Path of Blessing (Marcia Prager) – notes on the book Read More »