Mystical and practical wisdom—for daily life.
The least known of the Hasidic masters’ teachings—the hanhagot, or “spiritual practices”—are at the heart of this book. These short lists of instructions were created for their followers, inspirational treasures intended to be carried with you at all times. They were to be read again and again—providing spiritual guidance, centering, and aid in bringing joy and God’s presence into daily life.
Practical, personal, and wise, these brief teachings range from straightforward instructions to visualization exercises, meditations, and mantras. Also included are the hanhagot of two neo-Hasidic thinkers: the modern journalist and mystic Hillel Zeitlin (1871–1942), and the contemporary theologian Arthur Green.
Tabella dei contenuti
Introduction ix I. Awakening & Renewal 1 A Meditation upon Rising 3 Creative Awakening 5 Knowing God 7 Healthy Body, Healthy Soul 9 Waters of Renewal 11 Know Your Soul 13 The Importance of Silence 15 Soul Searching before Prayer 17 Tefilah and Tzedakah 19 II. Prayer 21 Prayer before Dawn 23 The Unfolding of Tefilah [Prayer] 25 The Eros of Prayer 27 The Word: Body and Soul 29 Removing the Veil 31 Eyes Open or Closed 33 The Gift of Inner Focus 35 Divine Hide & Seek 37 Individual Prayer 39 III. Preparation for Daily Life 41 Mirror Images 43 Divine Homecoming 45 Spiritual Practice 47 Many Paths to God 49 King Solomon’s Example 51 The Power of the Human Mind 53 Holy Sparks 55 Preparing for Hard Times 57 IV. Personal & Interpersonal Conduct 59 Divine Surrender 61 Creating Your Own Reality 63 True Fear 65 Do Not Reach for Spiritual Heights 67 The Humble Way 69 All God’s Creatures 71 Arrogance Begets Anger 75 Righteous Indignation 77 Love Your Neighbor 79 Concealed and Revealed Acts of Piety 81 Know Who Stands before You 83 Beware of the Glowing Coals 85 V. Torah Study & Mitzvot 89 Fear, Love, and Torah Study 91 Refining the Soul 93 A Divine Study Partner 95 The Guidance of Torah 97 Creating Angels 99 The Joy of Service 101 Tzedakah: The Root of Life 105 When Storm Clouds Gather 107 Mindful Practice 109 God Loves the Body 111 VI. In Speech & In Silence 113 Choose Silence, Not Torah 115 The Cycle of Speech 117 Mystical Engagement 119 Emotional Mindfulness 121 Solitude in Community 123 A Single Thought 125 Spiritual ‘Talk Therapy’ 127 Nightly Teshuvah 129 Joining Day and Night 131 Epilogue: Your Inner Voice 133 Appendices: Neo-Hasidic Hanhagot 135 Hillel Zeitlin 137 Arthur Green 141 Notes 145 Glossary 153 Bibliography of Hasidic Sources 157 Suggestions for Further Reading 159 Acknowledgments 163
Circa l’autore
Rabbi Ebn Leader is director of the Bet Midrash and an instructor in Talmud, Jewish law, and Jewish mysticism at the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College.He is the coeditor of God in All Moments: Mystical and Practical Wisdom from Hasidic Masters , and has contributed to Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life: Classical Texts, Contemporary Reflections (both Jewish Lights). Prior to coming to Hebrew College, he servedfor several years as an educator at Jewish secondary schools in Jerusalem and Boston.
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