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A window into the Jewish soul—written especially for Christians.
"I invite you to explore with me some of the rich and varied expressions of the Jewish spiritual imagination. It is a tradition that may at times, for Christians, feel strangely familiar and will, for Christians and Jews, always challenge you to see yourself and your world through a new lens."
—from the Introduction
Jewish spirituality is an approach to life that encourages us to become aware of God's presence and purpose, even in unlikely places. “This world and everything in it is a manifestation of God’s presence,” says Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. “Our challenge and goal is to find it and then act in such a way as to help others find it too.”
In this special book, Kushner guides Christians through the rich wisdom of Jewish spirituality. He tailors his unique style to address Christians’ questions, and, in doing so, opens new windows on their own faith.
Jewish Spirituality is a window into the Jewish soul that people of all faiths can understand and enjoy. From the Talmud and Torah, to “repentence” (teshuva) and “repairing the world” (tikkun olam), Kushner shows all of us how we can use the fundamentals of Jewish spirituality to enrich our own lives.
"Kushner has taught me more about God and my own Christianity than any other teacher I have known."
—Rev. Robert G. Trache, rector, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
“Eminently readable … his ministry transcends all faiths while deeply rooted in his own.”
—Peter Gomes, Pusey Minister, the Memorial Church, Harvard University
“We have another Buber here, a Heschel … Kushner expresses the truly profound with joy, lightness and humor.”
—Father M. Basil Pennington, OCSO, abbot, the Trappist Monastery of the Holy Spirit
“Rabbi Lawrence Kushner has a rare gift: He has unusual insight and the unusual ability to make them clear to others. His contribution to contemporary spirituality in the best of the Jewish tradition nurtures the soul in all of us. I read his work to understand my own roots better.”
—Joan D. Chittister, author, The Story of Ruth: Twelve Moments in Every Woman's Life and other books
Introduction
Part One: Creation
1 Opening Your Eyes 19
2 Paying Attention 23
3 One Hidden Everywhere 27
4 Everything Is Connected 31
Part Two: Torah
5 A Blueprint for Creation 37
6 The Silence of Sinai 41
7 Infinite Understanding 45
8 Orchard of Words 49
Part Three: Commandment
9 Doing & Understanding
10 Repairing the World
11 The Hands of God
12 Drawing Close
Part Four: The Holy One
13 The Self of the Universe
14 The Whirlwind
15 Praying God's Prayers
16 Being Here
17 Returning Home
Afterword
Suggestions for Further Reading