About the Book
Hasidism, a great movement of spiritual revival within Judaism, began in eighteenth-century Eastern Europe and continues to have great influence on Jewish life today. A key tool of this revival was the oral sermon, using novel mystical readings of the Torah to open people's minds to thinking more profoundly about the texts and how the wisdom relates directly to their own lives. While Hasidic tales have become widely known to modern audiences, the teachings that stand at the very heart of Hasidism have remained a closed book for all except scholars. This fascinating selection-presented in two volumes following the weekly Torah reading and the holiday cycle, and featured in English and Hebrew-renders them accessible in an extraordinary way. Volume 1 covers Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus, and includes a history of early Hasidism and a summary of central religious teachings of the Maggid's school. Volume 2 covers Numbers and Deuteronomy and the holiday cycle, and includes brief biographies of the Hasidic figures. Each teaching is presented with a fresh translation and contemporary commentary that builds a bridge between the eighteenth and twenty-first centuries.
And each teaching concludes with a dynamic round-table discussion between distinguished Jewish scholar Arthur Green and his closest students-the editors of this volume. They highlight the wisdom most meaningful for them, thus serving as a contemporary circle's reflections on the original mystical circle of master and disciples who created these teachings.
Table of Contents:
Volume 1
To the Reader xiii
Introduction: Hasidism: The First Three Generations (1740–1815) 1
What Is Hasidism? 1
Setting the Stage: Ashkenazic Piety before Hasidism 4
Personalities and Historical Events: 1740–1762 9
Around the Maggid's Table: Dramatis Personae 21
The Path to God: Key Teachings, Ideas, and Practices 28
The Tsaddik as Holy Man and Hasidic Leader 37
Controversy and Religious Innovation 44
The Emerging Movement and its Struggles: 1772–1795 50
The Wellsprings Spread Forth: 1796–1815 63
Sefer Bereshit—The Book of Genesis 75
Bereshit 77
Noah 86
Lekh Lekha 93
Va-Yera 103
Hayyey Sarah 109
Toledot 116
Va-Yetse 123
Va-Yishlah 130
Va-Yeshev 136
Mi-Kets 145
Va-Yiggash 152
Va-Yehi 160
Sefer Shemot—The Book of Exodus 167
Shemot 169
Va-Era 176
Bo 182
Be-Shalah 189
Yitro 196
Mishpatim 206
Terumah 214
Tetsaveh 222
Ki Tissa 228
Va-Yakhel 235
Pekudey 241
Sefer Va-Yikra—The Book of Leviticus 247
Va-Yikra 249
Tsav 257
Shemini 266
Tazri'a 272
Metsora' 280
Aharey Mot 285
Kedoshim 292
Emor 299
Be-Har 305
Be-Hukkotay 310
Hebrew Texts 488
About the Author :
Arthur Green, PhD, is recognized as one of the world's preeminent authorities on Jewish thought and spirituality. He is the Irving Brudnick professor of philosophy and religion at Hebrew College and rector of the Rabbinical School, which he founded in 2004. Professor emeritus at Brandeis University, he also taught at the University of Pennsylvania and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where he served as dean and president.
Dr. Green is author of several books including Judaism's Ten Best Ideas: A Brief Guide for Seekers; Ehyeh: A Kabbalah for Tomorrow; Seek My Face: A Jewish Mystical Theology; Your Word Is Fire: The Hasidic Masters on Contemplative Prayer and Tormented Master: The Life and Spiritual Quest of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav (all Jewish Lights). He is also author of Radical Judaism (Yale University Press) and coauthor of Speaking Torah: Spiritual Teachings from around the Maggid's Table. He is long associated with the Havurah movement and a neo-Hasidic approach to Judaism.
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 served for several years as an educator at Jewish secondary schools in Jerusalem and Boston.
Ariel Evan Mayse is a doctoral candidate at Harvard University.
Rabbi Or N. Rose is an associate dean at the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College. He is the coeditor of God in All Moments: Mystical and Practical Spiritual Wisdom from Hasidic Masters and Righteous Indignation: A Jewish Call for Justice; Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life: Classical Texts, Contemporary Reflections and Speaking Torah: Spiritual Teachings from around the Maggid's Table, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (all Jewish Lights).
Review :
"If I could I surely would stand in the place where the disciples of the Maggid stood. This daydream of mine finds its closest fulfillment in this book.... Bring[s] the choicest voices of Hasidic spirituality to the modern reader."
—Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author, Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer and Jewish with Feeling: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Practice
"A stunning entry point into the heart of Hasidism—a wealth of carefully curated insights that are rich and penetrating, even shattering.... A treasure for any student of Torah."
—Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder, IKAR, Los Angeles
"[A selection of] the juiciest, most inspiring insights from the finest Hasidic sources. These teachings will surprise and delight you, touching your soul."
—Daniel C. Matt, translator and annotator, Zohar: Annotated & Explained
“[From] the incomparable teacher of Torah of our time.... Contextualizes and presents ... the richness of insights as well as the spiritual depth and significance the Hasidic tradition holds for modern persons. A delight to be savored and returned to over and over again!”
—Rabbi David Ellenson, president, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
“Opens [the world of the Hasidic masters] to those looking for spiritual meaning in Torah and in their lives.”
—Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, spiritual leader, Society for the Advancement of Judaism; author,
The Book of Life: Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice
“This is the resource we've been waiting for, a milestone in the accessibility of classical Jewish spirituality. No Shabbos Torah hevra should be without it.”
—Lawrence Kushner, Emanu-El Scholar at The Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco; author, I'm God; You're Not: Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego
“Invites the spiritual seeker to feel the excitement of direct encounter with primary Hasidic texts and their capacity to awaken the soul.... 'Round Two’ discussions serve as templates for the kind of questing and questioning that small groups of seekers might do together, suddenly finding that they, too, are engaged in 'speaking Torah.’”
—Nancy Flam, co-director of programs, Institute for Jewish Spirituality; series editor, LifeLights™
“A splendid compilation—expertly presented to foster hearing, insight, and spiritual sharing.”
—Michael Fishbane, Nathan Cummings Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish Studies, University of Chicago
“Reminds us that Jewish masters read the Torah to discover the spiritual depths just beneath the surface. Every Shabbat and every holiday will be enriched when you study the Torah portion with this extraordinary collection of text and commentary.”
—Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Congregation Ansche Chesed, New York City
“Inspires contemporary readers to uplift their souls homeward and free themselves from their personal enslavement. It is a gem of inspiration and should be in every synagogue.”
—Dr. Alan Brill, Cooperman/Ross Endowed Professor, Graduate Department of Jewish-Christian Studies, Seton Hall University
“Insightful ... puts in dialogue the thought of the most original and formative group of Hasidic masters, demonstrating the nature of their spiritual aspirations and the dynamics of the laboratory that produced the leadership of Hasidism as a movement. A fresh and inspired project that brings to life the spirituality of an unprecedented constellation of religious geniuses.”
—Moshe Idel, Max Cooper Professor of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
“Sparkling translations, judicious selections, wise-framing comments, comprehensive scope, with an authoritative historical introduction that masterfully summarizes a lifetime of scholarship: Rabbi Arthur Green and his students have produced the most insightful, valuable and accessible presentation of early Hasidism available in the English language, an indispensable resource for study and devotional work.”
—Nehemia Polen, professor of Jewish thought, Hebrew College
“As heaven and earth met in creation, so too does scholarship and true passion of the love of the Hasidic masters meet in this monumental work of devotion and wisdom. If you were to commit to learning one book, this should be it!”
—Reb Mimi Feigelson, Mashpia Ruchanit
“In a world which too often feels fractured and dark, these precious teachings come along to lend clarity, light and hope. This extraordinary work stirs the mind, uplifts the spirit and makes age-old wisdom accessible in a way which liberates us from our most narrow places.”
—Matthew D. Gewirtz, senior rabbi, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Short Hills, New Jersey
“Magnificent ... a treasure for all who seek to understand the rich variety of spiritual worldviews and religious experiences of the people who created the Hasidic movement. The world of those sitting around their master’s table comes alive in this book. The multiple levels of interpretations offered in their teachings allow us to encounter these incredible personalities in their own world and to then explore the vitality of their teaching for our contemporary Jewish life.”
—Melila Hellner-Eshed, research fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute
