Description
Book SynopsisIn HASIDIC TALES Rabbi Rami Shapiro breathes new life into these classic stories to life for modern readers by Martin Buber in the twentieth century of people who so marvellously combined the mystical and the ordinary. Each story demonstrates the spiritual power of unabashed joy offers lessons for leading a holy life and reminds you that the Divine can be found in the everyday. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains theological concepts introduces major characters and reveals how you can use the Hasidic tales to further your own spiritual awakening. "The wisdom of the Hasidim is earthy realistic rooted in the simplicity of the heart. It is alive with the awareness of the holiness of Creation and the boundlessness of God's mercy and is utterly honest about the necessity of living such awareness in loving service to all beings. It is a wisdom that fuses the highest mystical initiations with the most down-home celebration of life and a rugged commitment to social and political justice in all its forms. In other words it is a wisdom that is never as my old prep school headmaster would put it too divine to be of any earthly use." -from the Foreword by Andrew Harvey
Trade Review"Like an seasoned Hasid from the emerging future paradigm, Rami tells the stories from the heart. His insightful comments help the contemporary intellect to realize what the soul intuitively knows." —Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, author of Wrapped in a Holy Flame and First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit "Rami Shapiro has given us two gifts, an illuminating contemporary rendering of this timeless spiritual classic, along with commentary of everyday, personal stories that reveal the joy-filled wisdom. I loved it!" —Sylvia Boorstein, author of That's Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist "Brings alive the holy sparks of spirituality in modern Judaism, offering practical, clear exercises designed to reawaken and nurture one’s soul. This is an essential guide for anyone who wishes to tap the wellsprings of the heart of Jewish practice." —Rabbi David A. Cooper, author of Silence, Simplicity & Solitude
Table of ContentsForeword by Andrew Harvey vii Preface xv Introduction xxi Hasidism, a Brief Introduction xxvii Cast of Rabbis xxxiii Hasidic Tales Suggested Readings 192
