
Hasidic Tales
Annotated & Explained
SkyLight Paths Publishing,US
Published on 13. November 2003
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-68336-106-0 (ISBN)
Description
The Tales of the Hasidic Masters Can Become a Companion for Your Own Spiritual Journey.
"The wisdom of the Hasidim is earthy, realistic, rooted in the simplicity of the heart. It is alive with the awareness of the holiness of Creation and the boundlessness of God's mercy, and is utterly honest about the necessity of living such awareness in loving service to all beings. It is a wisdom that fuses the highest mystical initiations with the most down-home celebration of life and a rugged commitment to social and political justice in all its forms. In other words, it is a wisdom that is never, as my old prep school headmaster would put it, "too divine to be of any earthly use."
-from the Foreword by Andrew Harvey
Martin Buber, author of Tales of Hasidim, was the first to bring the Hasidic tales to life for modern readers in the middle of the twentieth century. His groundbreaking work was the first time that most readers had ever encountered the lives and teachings of these profound and enigmatic spiritual masters from Eastern Europe.
In Hasidic Tales: Annotated & Explained, Rabbi Rami Shapiro breathes new life into these classic stories of people who so marvelously combined the mystical and the ordinary. Each demonstrates the spiritual power of unabashed joy, offers lessons for leading a holy life, and reminds you that the Divine can be found in the everyday. Without an expert guide, the allegorical quality of Hasidic tales can be perplexing. But Shapiro presents them as stories rather than parables, making them accessible and meaningful. Now you can experience the wisdom of Hasidism firsthand even if you have no previous knowledge of Jewish spirituality. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains theological concepts, introduces major characters, offers clarifying references unfamiliar to most readers and reveals how you can use the Hasidic tales to further your own spiritual awakening.
"The wisdom of the Hasidim is earthy, realistic, rooted in the simplicity of the heart. It is alive with the awareness of the holiness of Creation and the boundlessness of God's mercy, and is utterly honest about the necessity of living such awareness in loving service to all beings. It is a wisdom that fuses the highest mystical initiations with the most down-home celebration of life and a rugged commitment to social and political justice in all its forms. In other words, it is a wisdom that is never, as my old prep school headmaster would put it, "too divine to be of any earthly use."
-from the Foreword by Andrew Harvey
Martin Buber, author of Tales of Hasidim, was the first to bring the Hasidic tales to life for modern readers in the middle of the twentieth century. His groundbreaking work was the first time that most readers had ever encountered the lives and teachings of these profound and enigmatic spiritual masters from Eastern Europe.
In Hasidic Tales: Annotated & Explained, Rabbi Rami Shapiro breathes new life into these classic stories of people who so marvelously combined the mystical and the ordinary. Each demonstrates the spiritual power of unabashed joy, offers lessons for leading a holy life, and reminds you that the Divine can be found in the everyday. Without an expert guide, the allegorical quality of Hasidic tales can be perplexing. But Shapiro presents them as stories rather than parables, making them accessible and meaningful. Now you can experience the wisdom of Hasidism firsthand even if you have no previous knowledge of Jewish spirituality. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains theological concepts, introduces major characters, offers clarifying references unfamiliar to most readers and reveals how you can use the Hasidic tales to further your own spiritual awakening.
Reviews / Votes
"Like an seasoned Hasid from the emerging future paradigm, Rami tells the stories from the heart. His insightful comments help the contemporary intellect to realize what the soul intuitively knows."-Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, author of Wrapped in a Holy Flame and First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit
"Rami Shapiro has given us two gifts, an illuminating contemporary rendering of this timeless spiritual classic, along with commentary of everyday, personal stories that reveal the joy-filled wisdom. I loved it!"
-Sylvia Boorstein, author of That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist
"Brings alive the holy sparks of spirituality in modern Judaism, offering practical, clear exercises designed to reawaken and nurture one's soul. This is an essential guide for anyone who wishes to tap the wellsprings of the heart of Jewish practice."
-Rabbi David A. Cooper, author of Silence, Simplicity & Solitude
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Woodstock
United States
Publishing group
Jewish Lights Publishing
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
477 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-68336-106-0 (9781683361060)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Hasidic Tales
Annotated & Explained
E-Book
04/2011
1st Edition
SkyLight Paths
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Rami Shapiro, a renowned teacher of spirituality across faith traditions, is an award-winning storyteller, poet and essayist. He is author of The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice, Recovery-The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice and The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature: Selections Annotated & Explained (all SkyLight Paths), among other books.
Rami Shapiro is available to speak on the following topics:
Writing-The Sacred Art: Beyond the Page to Spiritual Practice
Stop Playing God: 12 Steps as Spiritual Practice
Biblical Wisdom for Post-biblical Times: An Exploration of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job
The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Cultivating Compassion in Daily Life
Hasidic Wisdom: An Exploration of Hasidic Storytelling, Theology and Contemplative Practice
Saints and Sages: Biblical Prophets, Ancient Rabbis and the Building of a Just World
Rami Shapiro is available to speak on the following topics:
Writing-The Sacred Art: Beyond the Page to Spiritual Practice
Stop Playing God: 12 Steps as Spiritual Practice
Biblical Wisdom for Post-biblical Times: An Exploration of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job
The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Cultivating Compassion in Daily Life
Hasidic Wisdom: An Exploration of Hasidic Storytelling, Theology and Contemplative Practice
Saints and Sages: Biblical Prophets, Ancient Rabbis and the Building of a Just World
Content
Foreword by Andrew Harvey vii
Preface xv
Introduction xxi
Hasidism, a Brief Introduction xxvii
Cast of Rabbis xxxiii
Hasidic Tales
Suggested Readings 192
Preface xv
Introduction xxi
Hasidism, a Brief Introduction xxvii
Cast of Rabbis xxxiii
Hasidic Tales
Suggested Readings 192