Jewish Spiritual Practices
Jewish Spiritual Practices explains the Jewish mystic path, whose goal is d'vekut, God-consciousness. The first section (approximately 75 pages) provides an overview of Jewish, generally hasidic, spirituality. The second section (approximately 500 pages) is divided into chapters on every religious and life activity -- how to have God-consciousness while studying Torah, while davvening, while walking, while working, while washing the dishes. Yitzhak has translated hundreds of hasidic teachings of the Rebbes about hanhagot, spiritual practices. The practices are explained in the larger context of the spiritual path toward the mystic goal. Many people are inspired by tales about the hasidic Rebbes. These are the practices that got the Rebbes to their exalted spiritual levels and which they taught to their followers. The information in this book is not available elsewhere, in Hebrew or in English. If you are on the Jewish spiritual path, you should have this book.
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"Once in a while I read a book that not only makes a profound impression but radically alters my lifestyle. Such a book is Jewish Spiritual Practices ...." Jerusalem Post "Yitzhak Buxbaum's Jewish Spiritual Practices is a gift to the Jewish world." Rabbi Lawrence Kushner "Jewish Spiritual Practices is a very, very important book, one which the contemporary Jewish world has been in need of for many years. It is, to my knowledge, the first attempt at a comprehensive guidebook in English to the spiritual dimension of Halachic behavior-- written with the aim of clearly demonstrating exactly how a feeling of connection to G-d can be experienced by the average contemporary Jewish man and woman through the performance of the mitzvot." Wellsprings (Lubavitch hasidic magazine) "Jewish Spiritual Practices by Yitzhak Buxbaum ... recently was presented to the Dalai Lama by an American rabbi [Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi] who wanted to explain Jewish spirituality to the religious leader." Publisher's Weekly "[When in India] Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi presented the Dalai Lama with a gift: a Jewish book. Which book? Jewish Spiritual Practices by Yitzhak Buxbaum. Why this book? 'Because it comes closer than any book I know to revealing the tantric practices in Judaism. This is transformational stuff, the real recipes for growth, not just nice insights," said the Rabbi. And the Dalai Lama's reaction? 'After looking through some of it, he was surprised. He didn't realize that Judaism has so much to offer in this regard ...'. New Age Retailer |
The Life and Teachings of Hillel
Hillel is one of the greatest rabbis of the Jewish tradition, yet even knowledgeable people usually know only the same few stories and sayings of his-- about his teaching the Golden Rule to the gentile standing on one foot; his saying "if I am not for myself, who will be for me, and if I am for myself alone, who am I?" and so on. Many facets of Hillel's teaching and activity have been neglected and virtually "lost."
As it turns out, Hillel is a much more interesting figure than people might think; he is much more radically pious and "hasidic." We usually think that Hillel represents "normative Judaism." But "normative Judaism" is a mixture of Hillel and Shammai. Hillel is more of a "love-type." And he has a particular attraction for our generation, by representing the gentler, more loving side of Judaism that so many are searching for today.
An example of a Hillel story that most people don't know: The Talmud tells a tale about Hillel buying a horse, as charity, for a rich man who became poor, and also daily hiring for him a servant to run before the horse. Hillel realized that this once-rich man needed these things so his self-esteem would not crumble. One day, however, Hillel couldn't find a servant to hire, so he himself ran before the man's horse for three miles!
This story is perhaps the most radical act of humble loving service by any rabbi ancient or modern; it reminds one of the fiery Elijah or of the Baal Shem Tov. Yet it is almost unknown! There is much else about Hillel that too few people know. Hillel was not only the mild peacemaker; he also had a more fervent side. I expect that most readers will be charmed by Hillel's fiery gentleness.
The Life and Teachings of Hillel will also help people to understand that there are two ways in Judaism -- the path of fear of God and the path of love of God -- the paths of Hillel and Shammai. When a person with Hillelite inclinations understands the difference between the two ways, he will find it easier to direct himself along his path and to understand and not become upset with followers of the other path, modern-day "Shammaites."
Dr. Arthur Green, Author of Seek My Face, Speak My Name, A Contemporary Jewish Theology
Storytelling and Spirituality in Judaism
In Storytelling and Spirituality in Judaism, Yitzhak Buxbaum shows that storytelling has always been a prime vehicle for communicating spirituality and that some of the greatest Jewish teachers were expert storytellers. He notes that "[even the Torah starts] 'In the beginning . . .,' as if the Holy One, blessed be He, was an elder with a long white beard, who sat us on His knee and began: 'Once upon a time.'" In recent centuries, Hasidism revived sacred storytelling and the sacred story -- especially tales about tzaddikim (hasidic saints).
"There are those who enjoy stories and storytelling," says Buxbaum, "but in the back of their minds, think, 'After all, they're only stories.' But in the same way that the Western Wall of the Temple is not just a wall, a mere pile of stones, neither are the stories of the Torah or of the tzaddikim, 'just stories.' Holy stories are the light of the world."
Recent years have seen a revival of storytelling in America and in the Jewish community. Martin Buber, Elie Wiesel, and others spurred a keen interest in reading hasidic tales. Now people are also eager to hear and to tell them. We have much to learn, says Buxbaum, from Hasidism's "theology" of storytelling. Hasidic rebbes asked and answered the questions: What is the place of storytelling among spiritual practices? Why do stories captivate and charm us? How should they be told and listened to? What are their effects?
According to Hasidism, storytelling is a holy activity equal to Torah study or prayer. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism and a master storyteller, said that telling and listening to holy stories is equivalent to the mystic study of and meditation on the Divine Chariot. Indeed, hasidic storytelling is not only inspirational but mystical as well. Hasidim even claim that God loves storytelling about tzaddikim.
Storytelling and Spirituality in Judaism, the first and only book about Jewish spiritual storytelling, will increase people's appreciation of hasidic tales by making them aware of their living, oral context, and will encourage involvement in spiritual storytelling. Containing delightful stories about storytelling and the author's own insights as an accomplished storyteller, it has a vital message for the Jewish community.
"Buxbaum is a patient and generous religious teacher writing about Hillel in Hillel's own spirit. This book is filled with learning and profundity, allowing its subject to speak directly to the reader's heart."