Mystical Bodies, Mystical Meals is the first book-length study of mystical eating practices and experiences in the kabbalah. Focusing on the Jewish mystical literature of late-thirteenth-century Spain, author Joel Hecker analyzes the ways in which the Zohar and other contemporaneous literature represent mystical attainment in their homilies about eating. What emerges is not only consideration of eating practices but, more broadly, the effects such practices and experiences have on the bodies of its practitioners. Using anthropology, sociology, ritual studies, and gender theory, Hecker accounts for the internal topography of the body as imaginatively conceived by kabbalists. For these mystics, the physical body interacts with the material world to effect transformations within themselves and within the Divinity. The kabbalists experience the ideal body as one of fullness, one whose boundaries allow for the intake of divine light and power, and for the outward overflow of fruitfulness and generosity; at the same time, the body retains sufficient integrity to confer a sense of completeness, as the perfect symbol for the Divinity itself. Nourishment imagery is used throughout the kabbalah as a metaphor signifying the flow of divine blessing from the upper worlds to the lower, from masculine to feminine, and from Israel to the Godhead. The body's spiritual continuity allows for unions between the kabbalistic devotee and his food, table, chair, and wine and is exemplified in the practices and experiences surrounding the consumption of food; this continuity is also applicable to other aspects of embodiment, such as the kabbalist's union with his fellow man. Mystical Bodies, Mystical Meals underscores the homosocial quality of the kabbalistic fraternity, in which gendered hierarchies of master and disciple are linked to the imagery and dynamics of nourishment and sexuality. Bringing this entire spectrum into focus, Hecker ultimately considers how the oral cavity and stomach, even the emotions associated with festive meals, are mobilized to produce the soul of the mystical saint in medieval kabbalah.
In the stories and anecdotes that make up this book, the reader will discover the invincible power that resides in every human being to survive vicissitudes and reach a renaissance of peace. Ann and Joel Klein write their history from their personal perspectives and follow the time-honored story-telling tradition of their people that celebrates joy and sorrow with the eternal hope that life is beautiful. This powerful meaning of their own and their extended family's lives on two continents under four divergent political systems breaks through their words. The stories tell a couple's private and professional life in one particular setting. Their significance lies in the inescapable recognition that every man and woman in any setting will find relevance to his or her life in them.
Kefa (Peter) is one of those characters we both love to hate yet grudgingly admire. We are horrified at his weakness in denying Messiah when confronted by a mere servant girl … yet amazed at his boldness to jump out of the boat in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee. In short, Kefa is just like us – filled with moments of seemingly endless faith; then days later crumbling in doubt and fear.Kefa's two pastoral letters reflect the wisdom gained over a lifetime of service as well as the passion of the transforming work of the Spirit in his life. As such, they are filled with important lessons for those of us who dare to believe and follow in his footsteps.Written by Messianic Rabbi Joel Liberman and coming from a series of messages teaching a mature and committed congregation, Letters from The Rock is at once both practical and deep. Its pages resonate with compassion and challenge. More than a book of theory and theology, however, it is intended as a guide for how to live in a world of temptation and trial, suffering and setbacks. It is encouraging and inspirational, designed to move the reader from knowledge into action.We might say it embodies with the same spirit which changed the world nearly 2,000 years ago …
An engaging and sobering look at memorializing in Judaism and why memory—ours and God's—is so central to people. Through a series of lively introductions and commentaries, over thirty contributors—men and women, scholars, rabbis, theologians and poets, representing all Jewish denominations—examine the history and ideas behind Yizkor, the Jewish memorial service, and this fascinating chapter in Jewish piety. Featuring the traditional prayers—provided in the original Hebrew and a new and annotated translation—this fourth volume in the Prayers of Awe series explores the profound theological questions at the core of this service and our own humanity: What happens to us after we die? Is there really an afterlife? Does our fate after death depend on the goodness with which we have pursued our earthly life? And more. Prayers of Awe: A multi-volume series designed to explore the High Holy Day liturgy and enrich the praying experience for everyone—whether experienced worshipers or guests who encounter Jewish prayer for the very first time. Contributors: Yoram Bitton Dr. Annette M. Boeckler Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander, CM, DHL Rabbi Edward Feinstein Rabbi Solomon B. Freehof, PhD (z"l) Dr. Eric L. Friedland Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, DHL Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, PhD Dr. Joel M. Hoffman Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD Rabbi Walter Homolka, PhD, DHL Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar Rabbi Daniel Landes Catherine Madsen Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, PhD Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD Rabbi Charles H. Middleburgh, PhD Rabbi Jay Henry Moses Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, PhD Rabbi Jakob J. Petuchowski, PhD (z”l) Rabbi Jack Riemer Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso Rabbi David Stern Rabbi David A. Teutsch, PhD Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig, DD Dr. Ron Wolfson Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel Dr. Wendy Zierler
A how-to for Jewish spirituality that works. "A spiritual seeker is a person whose soul is awake. In this book I make no assumptions about how much you know about Judaism, what holidays you keep, or whether you believe in God. I want us to start from your soul's experience and carry on from there." --from the Introduction "Virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book," wrote Publishers Weekly, which listed Jewish with Feeling among its Best Religion Books of the Year. "Without question the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman's philosophy of Judaism, it is also the best beginner's guide to Jewish spirituality available today," wrote the Forward, "the perfect book for both the spiritual seeker and the curious skeptic." Taking off from basic questions like "Why be Jewish?" and whether the word God still speaks to us today, Reb Zalman lays out a vision for a whole-person Judaism. This is not only Sinai then but Sinai now, a revelation of the Torah inside and all around us. Complete with many practical suggestions to enrich your own Jewish life, Jewish with Feeling is "a mystical masterpiece filled with spiritual practices and an exciting vision of the future" (Spirituality & Health). Spiritual experience, as Reb Zalman shows, repays every effort we make to acquire it.
What did Mordeci mean by this stunning declaration to Esther? Esther 4:14Are you prepared for the imminent invasion of Israel by the Holy Spirit and your place in it?"I pray the Lord will use the urgent heart cry of this book to shake the western church. This is a message whose time has come."DAVID DAVISCarmel Assembly (Kehilat HaCarmel), Mount Carmel, Israel"We have entered a season in global history unlike any other... I believe the dream [Joel] describes in this brief work is for the days in which we live, and should challenge you to know where you stand on these issues before you are called upon to make a decision."PAUL WILBURPaul Wilbur Ministries"In Deliverance From Another Place, Joel League blows a clear trumpet to the Church to understand Israel's rightful place in the Covenant of God and to stand with her for the sake of that Covenant."STEVEN FRYSenior Pastor of The Gate, Franklin, Tennessee"A message of support and solidarity for Israel and the Jewish people is needed in these troubled days. Joel League cares deeply and wholeheartedly for this Land and people."ROBERT STEARNSEagles' Wings MinistryJOEL LEAGUE is the founding pastor of Living Waters Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky since 1981 to the present. His passion in ministry is communication of the rightly divided written Word of God for the growth of the believer and the glory of the Author. Pastor League earned a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, located in Wilmore, Kentucky. Joel and his wife Carol have two children and seven grandchildren.Cover design: Nicole Banet
Explores the example of the biblical David, the overlooked, undervalued eighth son who became a renowned king, to expose how God helps even his most humble followers cultivate leadership, wisdom, and sacred gifts for future greatness.
This book was written to develop the link between the history of the Judges and the letters of Christ to the seven churches in Asia in Revelation 2-3 as well as to suggest practical teaching applicable to every local assembly today. "Portman has skillfully handled this subject. He takes the reader into deep truths, but yet provides practical and challenging applications of scriptural doctrine that should determine our behaviour. Serious believers will fi nd this helpful, enlightening, and encouraging in these perilous times."- Mark VanDerHart "What a refreshing contrast to the "feel-good" books surrounding us. In "No King in Israel" Portman links the times of the Judges in Israel with the letters of Christ to the seven churches (Revelation 2, 3). Within these pages is real help, strong encouragement, and even a stiff challenge for the serious believer. Shepherds will be glad to fi nd clear, sound instruction and guidance in leading God's people in obedience to His explicit directions. But there are also strands of gold woven throughout this volume which lovingly draw the heart toward a more unhindered and undivided devotion to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. It is this Lord Jesus Christ who wrote the seven letters to the seven churches. His words of commendation and condemnation speak to the spiritual direction of the church as a whole and to the local assembly. The touchstones may be appropriated as written to us today. Included is an easy-to-understand synopsis of each of the judges providing encouraging admonitions, and instructive warnings. Many cause-and-eff ect parallels between those often-tested, sometimes failing Old Testament judges and the church's elders are applicable even today. You will want to highlight, to meditate, even to dog-ear these pages, as you ponder insights which skillfully aim each concept at the heart. May the Lord bless each reader who embarks on this worthwhile spiritual journey "- Jim Brown
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Mystical Bodies, Mystical Meals is the first book-length study of mystical eating practices and experiences in the kabbalah. Focusing on the Jewish mystical literature of late-thirteenth-century Spain, author Joel Hecker analyzes the ways in which the Zohar and other contemporaneous literature represent mystical attainment in their homilies about eating. What emerges is not only consideration of eating practices but, more broadly, the effects such practices and experiences have on the bodies of its practitioners. Using anthropology, sociology, ritual studies, and gender theory, Hecker accounts for the internal topography of the body as imaginatively conceived by kabbalists. For these mystics, the physical body interacts with the material world to effect transformations within themselves and within the Divinity. The kabbalists experience the ideal body as one of fullness, one whose boundaries allow for the intake of divine light and power, and for the outward overflow of fruitfulness and generosity; at the same time, the body retains sufficient integrity to confer a sense of completeness, as the perfect symbol for the Divinity itself. Nourishment imagery is used throughout the kabbalah as a metaphor signifying the flow of divine blessing from the upper worlds to the lower, from masculine to feminine, and from Israel to the Godhead. The body's spiritual continuity allows for unions between the kabbalistic devotee and his food, table, chair, and wine and is exemplified in the practices and experiences surrounding the consumption of food; this continuity is also applicable to other aspects of embodiment, such as the kabbalist's union with his fellow man. Mystical Bodies, Mystical Meals underscores the homosocial quality of the kabbalistic fraternity, in which gendered hierarchies of master and disciple are linked to the imagery and dynamics of nourishment and sexuality. Bringing this entire spectrum into focus, Hecker ultimately considers how the oral cavity and stomach, even the emotions associated with festive meals, are mobilized to produce the soul of the mystical saint in medieval kabbalah.
Combining the medical experience of a cardiologist with the Judaic knowledge of a rabbi, Coping with Adversity draws on the practical wisdom of ancient Jewish teachings and scripture to help people of all faiths. The advice, inspiration, and comfort from the vast stores of Judaic heritage uplift the spirit and give encouragement to those facing illness, mental anguish, and uncertainty.
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