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Find inspiration for a satisfying spiritual life of practice through the combination of contemporary mindfulness meditation and classical Hasidic spirituality.
The soul yearns to feel connected to something greater and to know happiness despite personal suffering and seemingly endless need. Surprisingly, the perspectives of the late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Hasidic spiritual teachers offer a radically different Jewish theology that speaks directly to today's spiritual seekers whose faith has been shattered by both modernity and the Holocaust. These masters taught of interdependence, interconnectedness, selflessness, service and joy, anticipating the insights of contemporary science and twenty-first-century spirituality.
Bringing together the teachings of beloved Hasidic master Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev (1740–1809) and the practice of mindfulness meditation, Rabbi Jonathan P. Slater reveals a new entrance into Jewish spiritual life. Covering the Five Books of Moses, these two volumes present accessible translations of selections from Kedushat Levi, R. Levi Yitzhak's Hasidic Torah commentary, which emphasizes our spiritual capacity to transform consciousness and so our life experience. The selections are paired with Rabbi Slater's commentaries to illuminate their message.
"A refreshingly original and profound presentation of the work of [this] Hasidic master…. Slater translates and explains the text brilliantly."
—Jonathan Omer-Man, founder, Metivta: A Center for Contemplative Judaism
"An extraordinary resource for a journey of discovering the power of Torah to open minds, hearts and souls, and maybe even change lives."
—Rabbi Laura Geller, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills
"The wisdom here is real and deep, the love is nourishing and transparent. A double treasure: two mindful giants joining to reverberate the wisdom of ages past into the crevices of our hungry hearts."
—Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL, vice president, American Jewish University; author, God of Becoming and Relationship: The Dynamic Nature of Process Theology
"Slater is meticulous as translator, patient and unhurried as expositor, and compassionately open-hearted as spiritual guide—just the kind of person you would trust to lead you on the most important, most exhilarating trek of all. [This book] is exactly that: a good friend, haver tov—the highest accolade in the Hasidic path."
—Nehemia Polen, professor of Jewish thought, Hebrew College
"God may have split the Reed Sea once, but Slater splits open the ocean of Reb Levi Yitzhak with every page of this book! He compassionately stewards a call for personal responsibility, integrity and ownership as we surrender to the Call of the Divine."
—Reb Mimi Feigelson, Mashpia Ruchanit (www.zieglertorah.org)
Foreword ix
Preface xi
Introduction xiii
The Book of Genesis
Bereishit 3
Noach 12
Lekh Lekha 24
Vayeira 33
Hayyey Sarah 43
Toledot 52
Vayeitzei 61
Vayishlach 75
Vayeishev 85
Mikkeitz 97
Vayiggash 109
Vayechi 120
The Book of Exodus
Shemot 137
Va'eira 149
Bo 161
Beshallach 177
Yitro 190
Mishpatim 208
Terumah 220
Tetzavveh 235
Ki Tissa 249
Vayakheil 266
Pekudei 270
Notes 277