Searching for Grace: A Pandemic Meditation on the Hebrew Alphabet

When the author of Searching for Grace realized she needed to face her fears about the Covid-19 pandemic, she decided to create a scroll fifteen inches by thirty feet exploring the Hebrew alphabet, and she dedicated this work as a prayer in action for those who needed prayers during this time. This book offers one aspect of that scroll-the Zohar story of God deciding which of the twenty-two letters will be chosen to initiate the creation of the world. The story appears in Psalm 119, which lists eight verses for every letter of the Hebrew alphabet, as well as some of the energetic qualities that each letter expresses. The author hopes to remind us that the world remains beautiful even in such troubling times.

Review :
"Searching for Grace is a gently reassuring and meditative voice in a world apparently gone mad, and a gorgeous artifact in its own right. Inspired by the author's decades-long study of the Kabbalah, the book explores the kabbalistic meanings of the Hebrew letters and the colors, attributes, and healing properties associated with each. Her fluid prose and deep knowledge of her subject would make this a book to treasure at the best of times. But in these times, it does more. The beautiful illustrations transform the Hebrew characters into a visual meditation delightful to contemplate. And this collection also transcends the grim context in which it arrives. When the pandemic has finally been relegated to the realm of unhappy memory, this book will offer testimony to the fact that, even in our darkest hour, beauty was able to triumph, even flourish." -Robert Lavett Smith, author ofSturgeon Moon and Collected Early Poems "Written and illustrated as an attempt to find peace in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book retells the story of how God decided which letter would be chosen to create the world-uniting traditional stories, Psalms, and time-honored mystical details ascribed to them. For centuries, Jewish veneration for the letters of the Hebrew alphabet was so fervent that it was believed they existed independently in a transcendent realm-when Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, the prophet saw God designing crowns for the individual letters. The book's evocative illustrations, overflowing with artistic expression and energy, fairly leap off the page in motion and color that reflect the text. It would be a wonderful gift. Think about ordering it for the family that is spending a lot of time at home together. The Midrashic text and accessible accompanying illustrations may just inspire youngsters and those who are not-so-young to try their hands at graphic letter designs. There are worse ways to spend time during a pandemic." -Susan L. Rosenbluth, Publisher, TheJewishVoiceAndOpinion.com "When I crossed paths with Eugenia Koukounas nearly two decades ago, she had an eager passion for complicating spiritual views, and I immediately recognized that the path of Kabbalah had chosen her before it was even in the vicinity of her awareness. Fast forward a few years, and I can say I have rarely had a more committed student and have been in no doubt that a formidable teacher was in the making. She extracted antiquated rules and applied universal laws to the work. It allowed the complex interpretation of Kabbalah to reveal that the feminine healing power vibrates throughout all spiritual hierarchies. Everything she writes about comes through with a rare humility and obedience to the great work. Her devotional journey transforms and challenges and invites the reader to explore the authenticity within. I hope you feel the light that emanates from this book; I know it will inspire you as well to be a blessing in this incredible world." -Kristos T. Perry, Spiritual teacher, Kabbalist, and Occultist