Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

The 50th anniversary edition of a paradigm-shifting work by one of the most important Jewish figures in postwar America. By the time of his death, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (1924–2014), also known as Reb Zalman, had transformed the landscape of Judaism in America. The son of liberal Hasidic Jews, a Holocaust refugee, and a devoted Lubavitcher Hasid, Reb Zalman eventually left the traditional Hasidic fold and committed himself to seeding a mystical Jewish renaissance. An active participant in the counterculture and New Age movements, Reb Zalman began experimenting with different forms of Jewish ritual and contemplative practice—and their intersection with other spiritual traditions—ultimately founding the Jewish Renewal movement. Fragments of a Future Scroll, Reb Zalman's first book, was originally published by a small press in 1975 and, until now, was long out of print. A truly unique book—or "anti-book," as Shaul Magid refers to it in his new introductory essay—Fragments gathers Reb Zalman's first idiosyncratic attempts at articulating a renewed "Hasidism for the Aquarian Age," envisioning Judaism's evolving place and role within an emergent "planetary consciousness." This wild text presents an electrifying weave of sparks, flashes, stories, teachings, and ecstatically lyrical translations of traditional Jewish sources—"spiritual sheet music," as Reb Zalman called it. Full of boundary-breaking wisdom and crackling poetic oddity, Fragments of a Future Scroll is a book for people from all religious and spiritual traditions who are looking to experience the world—and consciousness itself—anew. This historic 50th anniversary edition presents an updated version of the original text, alongside essays by four contemporary Jewish thinkers—Rabbi Shaul Magid, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Rav Jericho Vincent, and Arthur Kurzweil—reflecting on Reb Zalman's enormous impact, and guiding contemporary readers into his paradigm-shifting worldview.

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev (1740-1809) is one of the most celebrated and beloved of all Hasidic masters, communicating the spirit of Hasidism in a way that few others can. His expansive personality was able to forgive the fiercest enemies, to bring factions together, to pray with the utmost devotion, and to say the unsayable of his time. In this beautiful little volume, now revised and expanded, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Netanel Miles-Yépez present a careful selection of his stories and teachings, translating and retelling them for modern readers (many for the first time) and putting them into a meaningful context with their insightful commentary. Readers of their other works, A Heart Afire and A Hidden Light will be thrilled with this delightful continuation of neo-Hasidic commentary.

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev (1740-1809) is one of the most celebrated and beloved of all Hasidic masters, communicating the spirit of Hasidism in a way that few others can. His expansive personality was able to forgive the fiercest enemies, to bring factions together, to pray with the utmost devotion, and to say the unsayable of his time. In this beautiful little volume, now revised and expanded, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Netanel Miles-Yépez present a careful selection of his stories and teachings, translating and retelling them for modern readers (many for the first time) and putting them into a meaningful context with their insightful commentary. Readers of their other works, A Heart Afire and A Hidden Light will be thrilled with this delightful continuation of neo-Hasidic commentary.

In God Hidden, Whereabouts Unknown, Netanel Miles-Y pez and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi offer little-known stories of the famous kabbalist, Isaac Luria, and explore the profound implications of the kabbalistic idea of Tzimtzum, the 'contraction' of God that allows for creation through different paradigms of Jewish belief over the centuries, and look at its function in Judaism and Jewish practice today.

On May 25th, 2005, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Hasidic rebbe and founder of the Jewish Renewal movement, traveledfrom Boulder, Colorado, down to the Center for Contemplative Living in Denver, Colorado, to dialogue with Father ThomasKeating, Trappist monk and one of the founders of the Centering Prayer movement, who had come from St. Benedict'sMonastery in Snowmass, Colorado. Herein is contained their sprawling and scintillating dialogue on science, mysticism, andspiritual practice.

Over two decades ago, beloved and respected rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi felt an uneasiness. He was growing older, and fears about death and infirmity were haunting him. So he decided to embark on mission to get to the bottom of his fears. Through a series of events that included a vision quest in a secluded cabin and studying with Sufi masters, Buddhist teachers and Native-American shamans, Reb Zalman found a way to turn aging into the most meangful and joyous time in his life. In this inspiring and informative guide, Reb Zalman shares his wisdom and experience with readers. He shows readers how to create an aging process for themselves that is full of adventure, passion, mystery, and fulfillment, rather than anxiety. Using scientific research--both neurological and psychological-- Reb Zalman offers techniques that will expand horizons beyond the narrow view of "the present" into a grand and enduring eternity. By harnessing the power of the spirit, as well as explaining exactly how to become a sage in their own community, he gives readers a helpful and moving way to use their own experiences to nurture, heal, and perhaps even save a younger generation from the prison of how we typically regard aging. In this updated version of his popular book, Reb Zalman has added a brand new introductory chapter that provides insight into the shifts that have taken place in our culture since the first edition of this book came out in the 1990s. Reb Zalman speaks candidly about the role the 78 million (now aging) Baby Boomers are currently playing in how we think about aging. He provides new inspiring ideas about the importance of an elder's role in shaping society, and explains how elders can embrace the power they have to provide value and wisdom to those around them. Additionally he has added a concluding chapter in which he shares his own experience with aging and the time he calls "The December Years."

IN THE LATE 1950's, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, better known as 'Reb Zalman, ' penned what was perhaps the first book on Jewish meditation and contemplative Judaism in English. It was called, The First Step: A Primer of a Jew's Spiritual Life, and was printed in a simple stapled booklet edition which he mailed out to friends and students. But it was not long before this humble booklet had reached readers as diverse as President Zalman Shazar of Israel and the famous author of The Seven Storey Mountain, Father Thomas Merton. In 1965, it was included as a chapter in the widely influential Jewish Catalog, and read by thousands of young Jews in the late 60s and early 70s looking for an authentically Jewish approach to meditation. Then, for many years, the booklet fell out of use until it was completely revised and updated in 1993, in a new booklet called, Gate to the Heart: An Evolving Process, which was again privately printed and distributed within the Jewish Renewal movement. In this expanded version, the booklet inspired a whole new generation of Jewish contemplatives looking for a manual of Jewish practice. Now, after being revised and supplemented once again, Reb Zalman's first and most personal book, the culmination of over 60 years of spiritual guidance work, is finally being published and made available to the general public. "For me, Gate to the Heart is the one essential book by Reb Zalman. Although there are others that go into more depth, and are more expansive on certain topics, none convey his authentic voice and brilliant creativity more that this one. It is the book that I want to carry with me at all times, a true vade mecum that one can consult again and again to renew one's spiritual practice." --- Netanel Miles-Y pez, co-author of A Heart Afire: Stories and Teachings of the Early Hasidic Masters

A how-to for Jewish spirituality that works." A spiritual seeker is a person whose soul is awake. In this book I make no assumptions about how much you know about Judaism, what holidays you keep, or whether you believe in God. I want us to start from your soul's experience and carry on from there."--from the Introduction"Virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book," wrote Publishers Weekly, which listed Jewish with Feeling among its Best Religion Books of the Year. "Without question the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman's philosophy of Judaism, it is also the best beginner's guide to Jewish spirituality available today," wrote the Forward, "the perfect book for both the spiritual seeker and the curious skeptic." Taking off from basic questions like "Why be Jewish?" and whether the word God still speaks to us today, Reb Zalman lays out a vision for a whole-person Judaism. This is not only Sinai then but Sinai now, a revelation of the Torah inside and all around us. Complete with many practical suggestions to enrich your own Jewish life, Jewish with Feeling is "a mystical masterpiece filled with spiritual practices and an exciting vision of the future" (Spirituality & Health). Spiritual experience, as Reb Zalman shows, repays every effort we make to acquire it.

A how-to for Jewish spirituality that works. "A spiritual seeker is a person whose soul is awake. In this book I make no assumptions about how much you know about Judaism, what holidays you keep, or whether you believe in God. I want us to start from your soul's experience and carry on from there." "Virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book," wrote Publishers Weekly, who listed Jewish with Feeling among its Best Religion Books of the Year. "Without question the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman's philosophy of Judaism, it is also the best beginner's guide to Jewish spirituality available today," wrote the Forward, "the perfect book for both the spiritual seeker and the curious skeptic." Taking off from basic questions like "Why be Jewish?" and whether the word God still speaks to us today, Reb Zalman lays out a vision for a whole-Earth, whole-person Judaism. This is not only Sinai then but Sinai now, a revelation of the Torah inside and all around us. Complete with numerous suggestions to enrich your own Jewish life, Jewish with Feeling is "a mystical masterpiece filled with spiritual practices and an exciting vision of the future" (Spirituality & Health). Spiritual experience, as Reb Zalman shows, repays every effort we make to acquire it. A Jewish Lights classic reprint.

The tikkun klali, or 'general remedy, ' are ten psalms specifically chosen by Rebbe Nahman of Bratzlav to expiate guilt for various kinds of sins. Many Bratzlaver Hasidim recite these psalms daily, while others do so once a week. Recitation of the tikkun klali also forms the most important aspect of the ritual around visiting the grave of Rebbe Nahman in Uman, Ukraine. About this ritual, Rebbe Nahman said: When my days are over and I leave this world, I will intercede for anyone who comes to my grave, says these ten psalms and gives a coin to charity. No matter how great their sins, I will do everything in my power, spanning the length and breadth of creation, to cleanse and protect them. . . . I will pull them out of Gehennom by their peyos It makes no difference who it may be, or how seriously they may have sinned. All they have to do is to take upon themselves not to return to their folly." In this beautiful new edition, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, one of the world's great teachers of Hasidism, has made a new prayable translation of the Hebrew psalms in everyday English. For those who are fluent in Hebrew, the original psalms are provided in the bac

Once, when Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi was still a young Hillel director, he took his students to meet the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994). To his embarrassment, one of his students asked the Rebbe, "What is a rebbe good for?" But the Rebbe was not offended and offered this amazing response: "I can't speak about myself; but I can tell you about my own rebbe. For me, my rebbe was the geologist of the soul. You see, there are so many treasurers in the earth. There is gold, there is silver, and there are diamonds. But if you don't know where to dig, you'll only find dirt and rocks and mud. The rebbe can tell you where to dig, and what to dig for, but the digging you must do yourself." In this amazing series of talks, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the founder of the Jewish Renewal movement and one of the world's leading authorities on Hasidism, discusses Jewish spiritual leadership from the perspective of the Hasidic Rebbe, applying traditional Hasidic models and teachings to contemporary situations. He covers issues of identity for spiritual leaders, the teacher-student relationship, spiritual guidance and intercessory prayer. Anyone who is deeply involved in Jewish spiritual leadership, or a student of Hasidic models of leadership, will find a wealth of valuable information in these informal talks on the subject.

Experience the living taste of prayer in your heart, the deep and gentle glow of prayer in your soul." Many who live their lives as Jews, even many who pray every day, live on a wrapped and refrigerated version of prayer. We go to synagogue dutifully enough. We rise when we should rise, sit when we should sit. We read and sing along with the cantor and answer 'Amen' in all the right places. We may even rattle through the prayers with ease. We sacrifice vitality for shelf-life, and the neshomeh, the Jewish soul, can taste the difference."--from the IntroductionThis fresh approach to prayer is for all who wish to appreciate the power of prayer's poetry and song, jump into its ceremonies and rituals, and join the age-old conversation that Jews have had with God. Reb Zalman, one of the most important Jewish spiritual teachers in contemporary American Judaism, offers you new ways to pray, new channels for communicating with God and new opportunities to open your heart to God's response. With rare warmth and authenticity, Reb Zalman shows you: How prayer can engage not just spirit, but mind, heart and bodyMeditations that open the door to kavanah, the focus or intention with which we prayHow to understand the underlying "deep structure" of our prayer servicesHow to find and feel at home in a synagogueHow to sing and lead niggunim, the simple, wordless tunes that Jews sing to get closer to Godand more

This powerful memoir chronicles the life of one of America’s most celebrated rabbis—Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, or “Reb Zalman” as he is fondly known to friends and followers. The book traces his life from a youth in the shadow of the Nazis through the tumultuous 1960s in America to his position as a renowned religious leader today. Often controversial for his attraction to cultural mavericks and religious rebels, Reb Zalman’s colorful lifetime includes a striking cast of characters across faith traditions, including Timothy Leary, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Thomas Merton, the Dalai Lama, and more. The book traces Reb Zalman’s work creating the vibrant Jewish Renewal movement that emphasizes spiritual experience and continues to touch Jews around the world today. Reb Zalman often illustrates his talks with anecdotes from his life, and My Life in Jewish Renewal brings together the life story of this beloved leader for the first time. Reb Zalman often illustrates his talks with stories from his life, and My Life in Jewish Renewal brings together the complete life story of this beloved leader for the first time.

"When I was studying in the Lubavitcher yeshiva, one evening, we had a farbrengen, a celebration with the older Hasidim who were teaching us. And at one point, one of them started to give us a hard time about not going deeply enough into our davvenen, into our prayer. So I took a tumbler full of schnapps, said, 'L'Hayyim ' and drank it all down. Then I turned to them and said, 'How could you blame us for not going deep into contemplative prayer when you have never shared with us what goes on inside of you when you pray' "Immediately, some of them took umbrage at this, saying, 'How dare you ask such a question' and then chewed me out. But Rabbi Avraham Pariz spoke up and said: 'You know, he's right. He needs to hear about what goes on inside.' Then Reb Avraham took a big tumbler-full of schnapps and drank it down and said, 'L'Hayyim ' Then he went inside himself and delivered an inner commentary on the traditional morning prayer and took us into his own inner world of sacred enchantment. But when he came to the threshold of the silent Amidah, he said, 'From here on is a private matter between God and me.' "When people ask me to repeat what Reb Avraham said, I have to confess that I cannot repeat his words. I so internalized them at that time that they have now become integral to my own prayer. The best I can do is share with you some of what I have learned in my own life about deep prayer, for which, what I learned that evening is the foundation. What you are about to read is my own telling of some of the things that are happening to me when I am involved in prayer before the living God."--- Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.

Dear friend -If you do not yet read Hebrew, and need an alternative resource for your daily davvenen (prayer), or if you are not used to reading the Hebrew with comprehension and the ability to dilate it from its literal meaning, I offer you this concise translation of the Jewish siddur or prayer-book, which I frequently use for my own davvenen. I have translated the liturgy of the siddur here according to the way in which I experience it in my own feeling-consciousness. Thus, my translations do not so much offer the p'shat or the literal meaning of the words as they do a devotional interpretation that can make them into prayers of the heart. . . . This siddur is meant to help you stay in touch with God on a daily basis, to gain divine assistance, to lighten your burdens, not to add to them. May you come to experience your own prayer as a blessed meeting with your own God.- Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

The interpretations in A Heart Afire are as rich and meaningful as the teachings and tales themselves in this intimate guided tour of Hasidism and Hasidic storytelling led by Reb Zalman, an old-world Hasidic elder who is also profoundly connected to modern culture. As a bridge between both worlds, Reb Zalman, and his co-author and student Netanel Miles-Yepez, introduce the reader to rare and unique translations of Hasidism with their own personal reflections on their meaning. This book gives the readers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Hasidic wisdom and narrative and in the teachings of a modern Hasidic master.