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Full Description
Explore the Lamed Vav mythos in the Kabbalah, early Hasidism, and Jewish folklore
• Highlights the tradition of the Lamed Vav—36 hidden righteous individuals in every generation who sustain the world with acts of kindness
• Relates the Lamed Vav mythos to topics of positive psychology such as meditation, peak-experiences, synchronicity, and higher consciousness
• Provides activities based on the Kabbalah and early Hasidism to enhance your receptivity to Lamed Vav individuals in your life and become a Lamed Vav for others
If you have ever witnessed an act of extraordinary kindness, the sort that seems to come from beyond everyday human experience, perhaps you had an encounter with one of the Lamed Vav. According to Jewish mysticism, these 36 hidden and righteous individuals keep humanity alive through acts of sublime kindness.
Psychologist and professor Edward Hoffman explores this fascinating mythos from its Talmudic origins through the Kabbalah, early Hasidism, and recent appearance in the contemporary world. He examines the esoteric meaning of the number 36 (literally lamed=30, vav=6) in Kabbalistic lore as well as the Elijah archetype and its importance in the work of Carl Jung and his protégé Erich Neumann.
Hoffman develops the notion of Lamed Vav consciousness—a powerful, inborn force for kindness that exists within each of us. He provides guided visualizations to call forth our Lamed Vav consciousness by drawing on themes from sacred texts like the Zohar and Jewish folklore, such as Miriam's Well, Solomon's Ring, and the Tree of Life. He also shares self-reflection exercises to help us recognize hidden Lamed Vav figures in our daily life and become a Lamed Vav to others by boosting our compassion, empathy, simplicity, playfulness, reverence for nature, and joy.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Awakening the Lamed Vav Spark
PART 1
Foundations
1 The Talmudic Era
2 Legends of the Midrash
3 The Hebrew Alphabet as Sacred Code
4 The Sage Abaye: Juggling the Worlds
5 The Rise of the Kabbalah
6 The Radiant Zohar (Book of Splendor)
7 Isaac Luria: Navigator of the Soul
8 The Triumph of Hasidism: The Baal Shem Tov
9 Dov Ber: The Great Maggid (Spiritual Preacher)
10 The Mystic as Storyteller:
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
11 Dov Noy: Rescuing Judaic Folklore
12 The Last of the Just:
Popularizing the Lamed Vav
PART 2
What Is Lamed Vav Consciousness?
13 Why 36?
Encountering the Lamed and the Vav
14 Meeting Elijah
15 Elijah and Jungian Psychology
16 Erich Neumann and the Elijah Spark of
Higher Consciousness
17 The Lamed Vav as an Archetypal Presence
PART 3
Entering the Inner Realm
18 The Ineffable Light of the Ein Sof (Infinite)
19 All Nature Is Incognito
20 Healing with Miriam's Well
21 The Angelic Book of Raziel
22 The Torch of Deborah
23 The Curtain Beyond Time
24 Sacred Jewels of Guidance
25 The Tree in the House of the World
26 The Angel of Losses
27 Gazing to the Maze Far Below
PART 4
Encountering the Lamed Vav Sparks
28 Awakening your Hands
29 Cultivating your Playfulness
30 Conducting a Spiritual Inventory with the Tree of Life
31On Wings of Song
32 Activating the Sefira of Chesed
33 Getting Wise: The Ring of Solomon
34 Dream Incubation
35 Sailing with Jonah
36 Teachers of the Way
37 Directed Travel for Spiritual Growth
PART 5
Becoming a Lamed Vav
38 The Staff of Aaron
39 Raising Divine Sparks in Your Home
40 Perceiving Synchronicities
41 The Angel of Friendship
42 To Be a Lamed Vav in the Moment
43 Composing Your Kvittel (Spiritual Inventory)
44 Numinous Walking as a Lamed Vav
45 Creating a Lamed Vav Team
Epilogue: A Lamed Vav World
Glossary
Notes
References
Index
