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| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Besht Immanuel Etkes, 2012-02-14 Now available in English, a provocative new biography of the founder of Hasidism |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov Yitzhak Buxbaum, 2006-09-05 This is a life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism. The Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht, as he is commonly called, led a revival in Judaism that put love and joy at the center of religious life and championed the piety of the common folk against the rabbinic establishment. He has been recognized as one of the greatest teachers in Jewish history, and much of what is alive and vibrant in Judaism today, in all denominations, derives from his inspiration. Abraham Joshua Heschel, who was descended from several illustrious Hasidic dynasties, wrote: The Baal Shem Tov brought heaven to earth. He and his disciples, the Hasidim, banished melancholy from the soul and uncovered the ineffable delight of being a Jew.> |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Baal Shem Tov Holy Days Tzvi Meir Cohn, 2012-02-14 A collection of Baal Shem Tov stories relating to the Jewish holy days. Combining his practical knowledge of herbs and healing with his mastery of Kabbalah, the Baal Shem Tvo used mystical powers engendered by the Kabbalah, to heal the ill, ward off demons, and predict future events. The Baal Shem Tov, as described in the stories, also used his remarkable spiritual powers including the ability to see events from afar, predict the future, and look into someone's previous incarnations to help those seeking relief from ailments of the body and soul. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Path of the Baal Shem Tov David Sears, 1996-10-01 The original teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of chasidism, on more than fifty subjects. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Founder of Hasidism Moshe Rosman, Murray Jay Rosman, 2023-09 This book goes farther than any previous work in uncovering the historical Israel ben Eliezer--known as the Ba'al Shem Tov, or the Besht--the eighteenth-century Polish-Jewish mystic who profoundly influenced the shape of modern Judaism. As the progenitor of Hasidism, the Ba'al Shem Tov is one of the key figures in Jewish history; to understand him is to understand an essential element of modern Jewish life and religion. Because evidence about his life is scanty and equivocal, the Besht has long eluded historians and biographers. Much of what is believed about him is based on stories compiled more than a generation after his death, many of which serve to mythologize rather than describe their subject. Rosman's study casts a bright new light on the traditional stories about the Besht, confirming and augmenting some, challenging others. By concentrating on accounts attributable directly to the Besht or to contemporary eyewitnesses, Rosman provides a portrait drawn from life rather than myth. In addition, documents in Polish and Hebrew discovered by Rosman during the research for this book enable him to give the first detailed description of the cultural, social, economic, and political context of the Ba'al Shem Tov's life. This book goes farther than any previous work in uncovering the historical Israel ben Eliezer--known as the Ba'al Shem Tov, or the Besht--the eighteenth-century Polish-Jewish mystic who profoundly influenced the shape of modern Judaism. As the progenitor of |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Kabbalah For Dummies Arthur Kurzweil, 2006-11-06 See how ancient Jewish mystical traditions and rituals can transform your life Kabbalah For Dummies presents a balanced perspective of Kabbalah as an “umbrella” for a complex assemblage of mystical Jewish teachings and codification techniques. Kabbalah For Dummies also shows how Kabbalah simultaneously presents an approach to the study of text, the performance of ritual and the experience of worship, as well as how the reader can apply its teaching to everyday life. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Shambhala Guide to Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Perle Besserman, 1997 An essential introduction to the philosophy and practice of the mystical traditions of Judaism--Cover. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Baal Shem Tov Faith Love Joy: Mystical Stories of the Legendary Kabbalah Master Tzvi Meir Cohn, 2009-11-01 The most famous master of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism is the Baal Shem Tov (1698 to 1760). More stories are told about the Baal Shem Tov than about any other person in Jewish history. These stories have been passed down, primarily through an oral tradition, for over 250 years. More recently, books - and even more recently the internet - have been added as a means to continue the time-honored tradition of transmitting Baal Shem Tov stories from parent to child and from Chassid to Chassid. The Baal Shem Tov stories are indeed glimpses of the life and culture of downtrodden, 18th century, Eastern European Jewry. However to see the stories as only that is to miss their central role. In Chassidic life, Baal Shem Tov stories have formed the foundation of one of the most fundamental and important of Chassidic spiritual practices: telling stories about the Tzaddikim - the Jewish saints, as it were; literally, the righteous ones - the great Spiritual Masters. These Tzaddikim led and guided the various Chassidic dynasties through the dark Exile of European Jewry, from the time of the Baal Shem Tov. All Chassidim, irrespective of their particular allegiance - whether to Chabad, Bretslov, Belz, Satmar, Gerrer, Vishnitz, to name a few - share one common belief: that the basic facts of the Baal Shem Tov stories are just that - facts. There is an old Chassidic saying: If you believe all of the Baal Shem Tov stories, you're a fool; if you don't believe any of them, you are a bigger fool. Today, the stories and teachings of the Baal Shem Tov are as relevant as they were in the past. They inspire and guide us. They nudge us towards intensifying our service to G-d. They teach us through example how to live our lives with a joyful attitude. They enable us to experience the flow of love that emanates from G-d. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Kabbalah Perle Besserman, 2018-08-21 Unraveling the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as the Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar, this book traces history and offers an accessible introduction to understanding Kabbalah and its practices. Jewish mysticism has flourished—sometimes brilliantly, sometimes darkly—over five thousand years. This pioneering, popular text on Jewish mysticism was the first written for a general audience, and in it, Perle Besserman offers a lively and accessible introduction to the methods, schools, and practitioners of this intriguing world. She traces the history of Kabbalah through the lives of its illustrious scholars and saints and unravels the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar. Running through these pages are the words of the outstanding Kabbalists and mystics—including Simeon bar Yohai, Isaac Luria, Abraham Abulafia, and the Baal Shem Tov—giving instructions on practices ranging from contemplation of the Bible’s secret teachings to ritual, ecstatic prayer, and intensive meditation. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Meditation and Kabbalah Aryeh Kaplan, 1986-01-15 A lucid in-depth presentation of the meditative techniques and practices used by the ancient Kabbalists. The Kabbalah is divided into three branches—the theoretical, the meditative, and the magical. While many books, both in Hebrew and English, have explored the theoretical Kabbalah, very little has been published regarding the meditative methods of the various schools of Kabbalah. Aryeh Kaplan’s landmark work, reveals the methodology of the ancient Kabbalists and stresses the meditative techniques that were essential to their discipline, including: the use of pictures or letter designs as objects of meditation the repetition of specific words or phrases, such as the divine names, to produce profound meditative state In addition, Meditation and Kabbalah presents relevant portions of such meditative texts as: The Grellier Hekhalot, Textbook of the Merkava School The works of Abraham Abulafia Joseph Gikatalia's Gales of Light The Glltes of Holiness Gale of The Holy Spirit, Textbook of the Lurianic School |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Gabriel's Palace , 1993 Over 150 tales from the Talmud, the Zohar, Jewish folktales, and Hasidic lore. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Kabbalah Perle Epstein, 2001-02-13 Unraveling the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as the Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar, this book traces history and offers an accessible introduction to understanding Kabbalah and its practices. Jewish mysticism has flourished—sometimes brilliantly, sometimes darkly—over five thousand years. This pioneering, popular text on Jewish mysticism was the first written for a general audience, and in it, Perle Besserman offers a lively and accessible introduction to the methods, schools, and practitioners of this intriguing world. She traces the history of Kabbalah through the lives of its illustrious scholars and saints and unravels the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar. Running through these pages are the words of the outstanding Kabbalists and mystics—including Simeon bar Yohai, Isaac Luria, Abraham Abulafia, and the Baal Shem Tov—giving instructions on practices ranging from contemplation of the Bible’s secret teachings to ritual, ecstatic prayer, and intensive meditation. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Hasidism Incarnate Shaul Magid, 2014-12-10 Hasidism Incarnate contends that much of modern Judaism in the West developed in reaction to Christianity and in defense of Judaism as a unique tradition. Ironically enough, this occurred even as modern Judaism increasingly dovetailed with Christianity with regard to its ethos, aesthetics, and attitude toward ritual and faith. Shaul Magid argues that the Hasidic movement in Eastern Europe constitutes an alternative modernity, one that opens a new window on Jewish theological history. Unlike Judaism in German lands, Hasidism did not develop under a Christian gaze and had no need to be apologetic of its positions. Unburdened by an apologetic agenda (at least toward Christianity), it offered a particular reading of medieval Jewish Kabbalah filtered through a focus on the charismatic leader that resulted in a religious worldview that has much in common with Christianity. It is not that Hasidic masters knew about Christianity; rather, the basic tenets of Christianity remained present, albeit often in veiled form, in much kabbalistic teaching that Hasidism took up in its portrayal of the charismatic figure of the zaddik, whom it often described in supernatural terms. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: עמוד התפלה Baʻal Shem Ṭov, 2011 The Pillar of Prayer: Guidance in Contemplative Prayer, Sacred Study, and the Spiritual Life from the Baal Shem Tov and his Circle is the largest organized collection of spiritual guidance on Jewish meditative-prayer and the contemplative lifestyle from the earliest and most creative period of Hasidic Mysticism. In addition to furnishing the reader with more than double the material ever assembled on this subject in previous Hebrew-language collections, this accessible, bilingual volume provides original translations and commentaries that make its unique treasures intelligible to scholar and seeker alike. Book jacket. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov Yitzhak Buxbaum, 2005-01-01 Features the life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism. The Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht, as he is commonly called, led a revival in Judaism that put love and joy at the center of religious life and championed the |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Baal Shem Tov: Numbers Tzvi Meir Cohn, 2012-04 The most famous master of Kaballah and Jewish mysticism is Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer. Rabbi Yisrael lived from 1698 to 1760, and is known as the Baal Shem Tov. More stories are told about the Baal Shem Tov than about any other person in Jewish history. These stories have been passed down, primarily through an oral tradition, for over 250 years. More recently, books - and even more recently the internet - have been added as a means to continue the time-honored tradition of transmitting Baal Shem Tov stories from parent to child and from chassid to chassid. The Baal Shem Tov stories are indeed glimpses of the life and culture of downtrodden, 18th century, Eastern European Jewry. However, to see the stories as only that is to miss their central role. In chassidic life, Baal Shem Tov stories have formed the foundation of one of the most fundamental and important of chassidic spiritual practices: telling stories about the Tzaddikim - the Jewish saints, as it were; literally, the righteous ones-the great Spiritual Masters. These Tzaddikim led and guided the various chassidic dynasties through the dark exile of European Jewry, from the time of the Baal Shem Tov. All chassidim, irrespective of their particular allegiance - whether to Chabad, Bretslov, Aleksander, Belz, Satmar, Gerrer, Vishnitz, to name a few - share one common belief: that the basic facts of the Baal Shem Tov stories are just that - facts. There is an old chassidic saying: If you believe all of the Baal Shem Tov stories you're a fool; if you don't believe any of them you are a bigger fool. Today, the stories and teachings of the Baal Shem Tov are as relevant as they were in the past. They inspire and guide us. They nudge us towards intensifying our service to G-d. The stories teach through example how to live our life with a joyful attitude. They enable us to experience the flow of love that emanates from G-d. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Kabbalah Perle Besserman, 1978-01-01 This pioneering, popular introduction to Jewish mysticism was the first survey written for a general audience, and it's now available in Shambhala Classics. Epstein presents the methods, schools, and legendary practitioners of Kabbalah, unraveling the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as the Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar, The words of the great Kabbalists appear throughout the book, giving instructions on practices such as contemplation of the Bible's secret teachings, ecstatic prayer, and intensive meditation. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Gaon of Vilna Immanuel Etkes, 2002-05-30 A legendary figure in his own lifetime, Rabbi Eliahu ben Shlomo Zalman (1720-1797) was known as the Gaon of Vilna. He was the acknowledged master of Talmudic studies in the vibrant intellectual center of Vilna, revered throughout Eastern Europe for his learning and his ability to traverse with ease seemingly opposed domains of thought and activity. After his death, the myth that had been woven around him became even more powerful and was expressed in various public images. The formation of these images was influenced as much by the needs and wishes of those who clung to and depended on them as by the actual figure of the Gaon. In this penetrating study, Immanuel Etkes sheds light on aspects of the Vilna Gaon's real character and traces several public images of him as they have developed and spread from the early nineteenth century until the present. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Hasidic Art and the Kabbalah Batsheva Goldman-Ida, 2017-10-10 Hasidic Art and the Kabbalah presents eight case studies of manuscripts, ritual objects, and folk art developed by Hasidic masters in the mid-eighteenth to late nineteenth centuries, whose form and decoration relate to sources in the Zohar, German Pietism, and Safed Kabbalah. Examined at the delicate and difficult to define interface between seemingly simple, folk art and complex ideological and conceptual outlooks which contain deep, abstract symbols, the study touches on aspects of object history, intellectual history, the decorative arts, and the history of religion. Based on original texts, the focus of this volume is on the subjective experience of the user at the moment of ritual, applying tenets of process philosophy and literary theory – Wolfgang Iser, Gaston Bachelard, and Walter Benjamin – to the analysis of objects. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Shambhala Guide to Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Perle Besserman, 1998-01-20 Jewish mystics from biblical times to the present have explored the hidden secrets of the Torah in quest of a single goal: to lose the self in the Infinite No-thingness (Ein Sof) and be at one with God. In language accessible to the layperson, this Shambhala Guide provides a detailed introduction to the complex world of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. With an extensive background in meditation practice, Perle Besserman emphasizes Kabbalah's spiritual disciplines, grounded in righteous living, devotional practices, and meditation. She discusses the Kabbalistic universe, including the four worlds and ten sefirot; Jewish meditation techniques and instructions for beginning meditation; mystics and teachers from Rabbi Akiva and the Baal Shem Tov to Aryeh Kaplan; the often uneasy relationship between Kabbalah and mainstream Judaism; and applying the ancient wisdom of Jewish mysticism to life in the world of today. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Kabbalistic Tradition Alan Unterman, 2008-11-06 ‘The Torah is both hidden and revealed ... there is a secret meaning to the holy Torah that is not written down explicitly or explained in it’ This selection offers a comprehensive survey of the 'Kabbalah', the body of writings in the Jewish mystical tradition. It features texts from a variety of literary forms, from the earliest biblical sources through to the early twentieth century, with a section on 'practical kabbalistic knowledge and procedure' to appeal to the modern market. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Kabbalah Collin Canright, Rav Michael Laitman Ph.D., 2007-06-05 What the Kabbalah can do for you. According to the authors of this comprehensive guide, the Kabbalah that Madonna popularized is far from authentic. In fact, the Kabbalah is much bigger—and better. Here, readers will discover how it can deliver money, love, health, and many other things. - An international authority on authentic Kabbalah was a consultant for this book. - Blends religion/spirituality with New Age mysticism. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Baal Shem Tov Baʻal Shem Ṭov, 2012 A collection of teachings of the Baal Shem Tov from Sefer Baal Shem Tov on each parsha of Genesis and Exodus. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Kabbalah Reader Edward Hoffman, 2010-04-13 This comprehensive and accessible entrée into the world of Kabbalah covers 1,600 years of Jewish mystical thought and features a variety of thinkers—from the renowned to the obscure—unavailable in any other volume. It’s a fresh take on an ancient tradition compiled by Edward Hoffman, a psychologist and respected scholar of Judaism, who reveals how this supposedly esoteric material is relevant to a host of contemporary concerns, such as ethics, emotional health, intuition and creativity, meditation, social relations and leadership, and higher states of consciousness. Contributors include: Moses Chaim Luzzatto, Moses Cordovero, Abraham Abulafia, Maimonides, Nachmanides, The Maharal, Nachman of Breslov, The Baal Shem Tov, The Gaon of Vilna, The Netziv, The Ben Ish Chai, Yehudah Ashlag, Kalonymus Shapira, Baba Sali, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, Adin Steinsaltz, Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, Jonathan Sacks, and many others, along with excerpts from the Sefer Yetzirah, Sefer HaBahir, and Sefer HaZohar. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Chassidim Solomon Schechter, 1887 |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Studies in Maimonides Isadore Twersky, 1990 A collection of critical studies on Maimonidean thought for students of medieval Jewish thinking. It contains contributions from: Gerald J. Blidstein, Ben-Gurion University; Jacob Levinger, Tel-Aviv University; Aviezer Ravitzky, Moshe Idel and Shlomo Pines, all from the Hebrew University, Israel. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Inner Rhythms DovBer Pinson, 2000 What is Jewish Music? What makes a song sound Jewish? What is the place of music in Jewish history and philosophy? The author writes, What is known to us as Jewish music is actually a compilation of styles and rhythms gathered over centuries and obtained in various manners and from countless sources. However, musicologists the world over agree that the purity of the Jewish song has always been retained. The quality which makes it uniquely Jewish, regardless of the influence on it, has remained untouched and clearly identifiable. What is this quality? What is it that makes a song sound Jewish? It is a note of longing, of a child yearning to unite with his parent, a nation pining for its homeland and lost temple, a soul in this world remembering the holiness above and longing to reunite. Each song resonates with the entirety of the Jewish experience, the devastations and victories, the separations and reunifications and above all the constant bound with the eternal. The study of Jewish music is vast and requires volumes to contain it. There are many who have analyzed its unique qualities and have written extensively on it. Their examination of music is essentially a lesson in history, another means of glimpsing a rich and diverse past. There is yet another way to examine a song, and that is, to view it as an eternal message, as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago, at the time of its composition. Each song tells its own story in the heart of the one who sings it. It evokes a unique response in each listener. A tune can touch a soul, in a way no words ever could. The study of music as response is what I aim to portray in this work. Music can be used in a myriad of ways in our everyday lives. Especially today with all of the gadgets that can convey music, we are bombarded by sound. Just by taking a long walk, a person changes zones of melodies, beats, and compositions of various types. Our bodies seem to vibrate to uninvited songs and noises that permeate the air around us. But invited |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Awakening to Kabbalah Michael Laitman, 2006-01-01 An awe-filled introduction to an ancient wisdom tradition. Provides you with a deeper understanding of the fundamental teachings of Kaballah, and how you can use this wisdom the clarify your relationship with others and the world around you. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Gates of Light Joseph Gikkatilla, 2010-07-12 English translation of this primary text on the Kabbalah, written in thirteenth century-Spain, which offers insights and explanations central to Judaic mysticism of that era. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Poetry of Kabbalah Peter Cole, Aminadav Dykman, 2012-04-10 Introduces renderings of, and commentary on, Kabbalistic verse that emerged directly from Jewish mysticism and that reveals the foundations of both language and existence itself. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Symbols of the Kabbalah Sanford L. Drob, 1999-11-01 Symbols of the Kabbalah: Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives provides a philosophical and psychological interpretation of the major symbols of the theosophical Kabbalah. It shows that the Kabbalah, particularly as it is expressed in the school of Isaac Luria, provides a coherent and comprehensive account of the cosmos, and humanity's role within it, that is intellectually, morally, and spiritually significant for contemporary life. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: The Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Israel Gutwirth, 2021-03-23 This authoritative study of the Kabbalah celebrates the history and wisdom of Jewish mysticism while dispelling popular misconceptions. In recent decades, the Kabbalah has aroused widespread interest well beyond the realm of Jewish scholarship. Unfortunately, this popularization has also led to numerous distortions of Jewish mystical doctrine, with some alleged experts drawing on material other than original Jewish sources. In The Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism, acclaimed Torah scholar Israel Gutwirth provides an essential corrective to this trend. Here is a retrospective look at the major figures of Jewish mysticism and the parts they played in shaping the Jewish religion. Divided into three parts, this volume examines the significance of the Zohar and the great Jewish mystics, Hasidic leaders who were distinguished exponents of the Kabbalah, and notable figures of the golden age of Jewish culture in Spain. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: A New Kabbalah for Women Perle Besserman, 2015-04-28 The red bracelet: it graces the wrists of numerous celebrities - from Madonna to Britney Spears - who have converted to the spiritual practice of Kabbalah. But what is Kabbalah and how can women apply it to their own lives? In A New Kabbalah for Women, bestselling author and teacher of Jewish mysticism and meditation, Perle Besserman, shares a feminine approach to spirituality. Since the time of Moses, Jewish mysticism has been barred to women, and Shekhinah, the feminine side of God, has been forced underground. Now, many women are adapting traditional mystical practices in radical new ways. Besserman is at the forefront of this revolution. In this book she traces the history of female-centered worship and tells the story of searching for her own path to truth. Combining practices from the Kabbalah with meditation, Besserman walks readers through step-by-step rituals to find their own personal connection with the divine. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Dictionary of Jewish Lore & Legend Alan Unterman, 1991-07-17 A clear and well-illustrated guide to the main characters and legends of Judaism This book captures the richness and vitality of traditional Jewish culture: a web of legend, folklore and superstition that is crucial to understanding Judaism. Topics include Jewish law, literature and poetry; the festivals of the Jewish year; the languages and sub-groups within the Jewish community; and the many countries that Jews have lived in. The book also reveals another side of Judaism, a world populated by angels and demons, sages and Kabbalists, and creatures unknown to zoologists. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Kabbalah for Beginners Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks, 2020-07-28 Gain a better understanding of the Kabbalah path to spiritual transformation and a deeper connection with the Jewish faith Coming from the Hebrew root that means to receive, Kabbalah is known as the inner or esoteric dimension of Judaism. Kabbalah for Beginners is your introduction to a great spiritual tradition that will help you deepen your experience of the Divine through Kabbalistic portals into the Eternal Present. Divided into four categories: theosophical, ecstatic, Hasidic, and contemporary, this book explores everything including ancient concepts, core teachings, practices and traditions, and even misconceptions of Kabbalah. Written in a contemporary tone and point of view, this beginner's guide brings this ancient discipline into the here and now. In Kabbalah for Beginners you'll find: God is existence—The Kabbalist method is that God is not a being, not even the most supreme being, but is rather Being itself. What is Kabbalah—Get inspired by interspersed quotes from the Torah and frequent sidebars that highlight the Kabbalah's relevance to readers' experiences. Spirituality simplified—Learn through a clear straightforward language to bring intuitiveness to deep philosophical concepts. Discover a contemporary guide to this ancient wisdom and move toward spiritual transformation. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Birth in Kabbalah and Psychoanalysis Ruth Kara-Ivanov Kaniel, 2022-07-05 Birth in Kabbalah and Psychoanalysis examines the centrality of birth in Jewish literature, gender theory, and psychoanalysis, thus challenging the centrality of death in Western culture and existential philosophy. In this groundbreaking study, Ruth Kara-Ivanov Kaniel discuss similarities between Biblical, Midrashic, Kabbalistic, and Hasidic perceptions of birth, as well as its place in contemporary cultural and psychoanalytic discourse. In addition, this study shows how birth functions as a vital metaphor that has been foundational to art, philosophy, religion, and literature. Medieval Kabbalistic literature compared human birth to divine emanation, and presented human sexuality and procreation as a reflection of the sefirotic structure of the Godhead – an attempt, Kaniel claims, to marginalize the fear of death by linking the humane and divine acts of birth. This book sheds new light on the image of God as the Great Mother and the crucial role of the Shekhinah as a cosmic womb. Birth in Kabbalah and Psychoanalysis won the Gorgias Prize and garnered significant appreciation from psychoanalytic therapists in clinical practice dealing with birth trauma, postpartum depression, and in early infancy distress. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Miracles: An Exercise in Comparative Philosophy of Religion Karen R. Zwier, David L. Weddle, Timothy D. Knepper, 2022-11-03 This volume provides a comparative philosophical investigation into a particular concept from a variety of angles—in this case, the concept of “miracle.” The text covers deeply philosophical questions around the miracle, with a multiplicity of answers. Each chapter brings its own focus to this multifaceted effort. The volume rejects the primarily western focus that typically dominates philosophy of religion and is filled with particular examples of miracle narratives, community responses, and polemical scenarios across widely varying religious contexts and historical periods. Some of these examples defy religious categorization, and some papers challenge the applicability of the concept “miracle,” which is of western and monotheistic origin. By examining miracles thru a wide comparative context, this text presents a range of descriptive content and analysis, with attention to the audience, to the subjective experiences being communicated, and to the flavor of the narratives that come to surround miracles. This book appeals to students and researchers working in philosophy of religion and science, as well those in comparative religion. It represents, in written form, some of the perspectives and dialogue achieved in The Comparison Project’s 2017–2019 lecture series on miracles. The Comparison Project is an enterprise in comparing a variety of religious voices, allowing them to stand in dialogue. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader Daniel M. Horwitz, 2016-04-01 An annotated anthology of Jewish mystical works, concepts, and experiences, A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader explores issues relating to what has compelled Jews to seek a more intimate relationship with God. It does this by providing readings from the most important mystical texts, accompanied by Daniel M. Horwitz's insightful introductions and commentary. It is carefully designed to make the basic concepts and teachings of Jewish mysticism accessible to a wide audience and to ground these ideas within the broader Jewish tradition. Horwitz's introduction describes five major types of Jewish mysticism and includes a brief chronology of its development, with a timeline. He begins with biblical prophecy and proceeds through the early mystical movements up through current beliefs. Chapters on key subjects characterize mystical expression through the ages, such as Creation and deveikut (cleaving to God); the role of Torah; the erotic; inclinations toward good and evil; magic; prayer and ritual; and more. Later chapters deal with Hasidism, the great mystical revival, and twentieth-century mystics, including Abraham Isaac Kook, Kalonymous Kalman Shapira, and Abraham Joshua Heschel. A final chapter addresses today's controversies concerning mysticism's place within Judaism and its potential for enriching the religion. Daniel M. Horwitz is chapel rabbi at Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston, Texas. He is a teacher at the Akiba Academy of Beth Yeshurun and the Houston Melton Adult Mini-School. |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Judaism , |
| baal shem tov kabbalah: Kabbalah: Key to Your Inner Power Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Patricia R. Spadaro, Murray L. Steinman, 2020-10-19 “A masterpiece. The rich tradition of the Kabbalah comes to life in a language that is accessible even to those unfamiliar with this ancient and classic tradition.” —Caroline Myss, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of Anatomy of the Spirit Mystics are adventurers of the spirit who dare to push beyond the boundaries of orthodox tradition to pursue a common goal—the direct experience of God. Kabbalah: Key to Your Inner Power explores the once-secret Jewish mystical tradition known as Kabbalah. With intriguing new perspectives, it shows how we can use Kabbalah’s extraordinary revelations about the creation of the universe, our relationship to God and our purpose in life to unlock our own spiritual power. It brings to life the path of the Jewish mystics—their joys and ecstasies, their sacred visions, and their practical techniques for experiencing the sacred in everyday life. Includes 36 illustrations, 19 charts and diagrams, pronunciation guide. |
Baal - Wikipedia
Baal (/ ˈbeɪ.əl, ˈbɑː.əl /), [6][a] or Baʻal, [b] was a title and honorific meaning 'owner' or ' lord ' in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use among …
Who Is Baal in the Bible? Story and Meaning - Christianity.com
Oct 23, 2023 · Who Is Baal? Baal was the supreme god of Canaan and Phoenicia, whose worship infiltrated Jewish religious life during the Judges and became popular in Israel during Ahab's …
Baal | Definition, Myths, Worship, & Facts | Britannica
Apr 22, 2025 · Baal, god worshipped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites, who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most …
Who was Baal? - GotQuestions.org
Sep 11, 2023 · Baal was the name of the supreme god worshiped in ancient Canaan and Phoenicia. The practice of Baal worship infiltrated Jewish religious life during the time of the …
Baal - World History Encyclopedia
Nov 5, 2021 · Baal (also given as Ba'al) is a Canaanite-Phoenician god of fertility and weather, specifically rainstorms. The name was also used as a title, however, meaning "Lord" and was …
Baal - New World Encyclopedia
In the Bible, Baal (also rendered Baʿal) was an important Canaanite god, often portrayed as the primary enemy of the Hebrew God Yahweh. The Semitic word "baal" (meaning '"Lord") was …
Meaning and Origin Story of Baal, the ancient deity in the Levant ...
Feb 18, 2024 · Baal, a prominent deity in the ancient Levantine pantheon, embodies a complex and multifaceted character within the religious practices of the region, particularly among the …
Who Was Baal? - Topical Studies | Bible Study Tools
Aug 25, 2023 · The Baal mentioned in the Bible was a universal fertility god and a storm god associated with bringing rain and dew in the Canaan area. The Phoenicians called him the …
Baal - World Mythos
Dec 19, 2024 · Baal is a prominent deity in Canaanite mythology, revered as a god of storms, fertility, and agriculture. His name translates to “lord” or “master,” and he is often depicted as a …
Baal | Encyclopedia.com
Jun 8, 2018 · Identified as the warrior Hadd (or Hadad) in the Late Bronze Age texts from Ugarit, Baal is a popular deity in Syro-Palestinian or "Canaanite" religious traditions as a god of …
Baal - Wikipedia
Baal (/ ˈbeɪ.əl, ˈbɑː.əl /), [6][a] or Baʻal, [b] was a title and honorific meaning 'owner' or ' lord ' in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use among …
Who Is Baal in the Bible? Story and Meaning - Christianity.com
Oct 23, 2023 · Who Is Baal? Baal was the supreme god of Canaan and Phoenicia, whose worship infiltrated Jewish religious life during the Judges and became popular in Israel during Ahab's …
Baal | Definition, Myths, Worship, & Facts | Britannica
Apr 22, 2025 · Baal, god worshipped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites, who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most …
Who was Baal? - GotQuestions.org
Sep 11, 2023 · Baal was the name of the supreme god worshiped in ancient Canaan and Phoenicia. The practice of Baal worship infiltrated Jewish religious life during the time of the …
Baal - World History Encyclopedia
Nov 5, 2021 · Baal (also given as Ba'al) is a Canaanite-Phoenician god of fertility and weather, specifically rainstorms. The name was also used as a title, however, meaning "Lord" and was …
Baal - New World Encyclopedia
In the Bible, Baal (also rendered Baʿal) was an important Canaanite god, often portrayed as the primary enemy of the Hebrew God Yahweh. The Semitic word "baal" (meaning '"Lord") was …
Meaning and Origin Story of Baal, the ancient deity in the Levant ...
Feb 18, 2024 · Baal, a prominent deity in the ancient Levantine pantheon, embodies a complex and multifaceted character within the religious practices of the region, particularly among the …
Who Was Baal? - Topical Studies | Bible Study Tools
Aug 25, 2023 · The Baal mentioned in the Bible was a universal fertility god and a storm god associated with bringing rain and dew in the Canaan area. The Phoenicians called him the …
Baal - World Mythos
Dec 19, 2024 · Baal is a prominent deity in Canaanite mythology, revered as a god of storms, fertility, and agriculture. His name translates to “lord” or “master,” and he is often depicted as a …
Baal | Encyclopedia.com
Jun 8, 2018 · Identified as the warrior Hadd (or Hadad) in the Late Bronze Age texts from Ugarit, Baal is a popular deity in Syro-Palestinian or "Canaanite" religious traditions as a god of …
