Full Description
You are invited to enter the new-old pathway of Neo-Hasidism-a movement that uplifts key elements of Hasidism's Jewish revival of two centuries ago to reexamine the meaning of existence, see everything anew, and bring the world as it is and as it can be closer together.
This volume brings this discussion into the twenty-first century, highlighting Neo-Hasidic approaches to key issues of our time. Eighteen contributions by leading Neo-Hasidic thinkers open with the credos of Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Arthur Green. Or Rose wrestles with reinterpreting the rebbes' harsh teachings concerning non-Jews. Ebn Leader assesses the perils of trusting one's whole being to a single personality: can Neo-Hasidism endure as a living tradition without a rebbe? Shaul Magid candidly calibrates Shlomo Carlebach: how "the singing rabbi" transformed him and why Magid eventually walked away. Other contributors engage questions such as: How might women enter this hitherto gendered sphere created by and for men? How can we honor and draw nourishment from other religions' teachings? Can the rebbes' radiant wisdom guide those who struggle with self-diminishment to reclaim wholeness?
Together these intellectually honest and spiritually robust conversations inspire us to grapple anew with Judaism's legacy and future.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
Part I. Ahavat ha-Shem, The Love of God: Theology and Faith
1. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi-The Thirteen Aspirations of Faith
2. Arthur Green-A Neo-Hasidic Credo
3. Nehemia Polen-Touches of Intimacy: Leviticus, Sacred Space, Torah's Center
4. Don Seeman-The Anxiety of Ethics and the Presence of God
5. Or N. Rose-Hasidism and the Religious Other: A Textual Exploration and Theological Response
6. David Seidenberg-Building the Body of the Shekhinah: Re-enchantment and Redemption of the Natural World in Hasidic Thought
Part II. Ahavat Torah, The Love of Torah: Practice and Devotion
7. Ariel Evan Mayse-Neo-Hasidism and Halakhah: The Duties of Intimacy and the Law of the Heart
8. Nancy Flam-Training the Heart and Mind Toward Expansive Awareness: A Neo-Hasidic Journey
9. James Jacobson-Maisels-Neo-Hasidic Meditation: Mindfulness as a Neo-Hasidic Practice
10. Jonathan Slater-Neo-Hasidism for Today's Jewish Seeker: A Personal Reflection
11. Estelle Frankel-Sacred Narrative Therapy: Hasidism, Storytelling, and Healing
Part III. Ahavat Yisra'el, The Love of Israel: Leaders and Communities
12. Ebn Leader-Does A New Hasidism Need Rebbes?
13. Shaul Magid-Shlomo Carlebach: A Trans-National Jew in Search of Himself
14. Arthur Green-A Rebbe for Our Age?: Bratslav and Neo-Bratslav in Israel Today
15. Naama Zifroni, Bambi Sheleg, Arthur Green, and Ariel Horowitz-Spiritual Awakenings: An Interview with Haviva Pedaya
16. Elhanan Nir-The Turn to Hasidism in the Religious Zionist Israeli Yeshiva
17. Jordan Schuster-A Closing Conversation with the Editors
Contributor Biographies
Notes
