Spiritual Judaism: Restoring Heart And Soul To Jewish Life

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

According to Ariel (What Do Jews Believe?), many Jews are alienated from their faith and find it difficult to incorporate their Jewish heritage into everyday life. While Jewish spirituality follows an inward path, Ariel contends, the externals of the Jewish traditions like scripture and ritual can be made a part of daily life. For example, Ariel argues that we can connect our own personal spirituality to the Torah. The voice of God resides in the sacred texts of Judaism, and we can become an ear that hears what the universe is saying to us. Ariel also describes the stages of human development as steps on the way to growing into the image of God. The author argues that the best way for alienated Jews to reclaim the fire of their traditions is for Jewish congregations to study and to mature together in their spiritual journey. (Sept.)

Library Journal

Writing to help Jews who want to know more about the spiritual aspects of their religion but are not ready to involve themselves in a traditional, congregational setting, Ariel (president, Cleveland Coll. of Jewish Studies) approaches Judaism by examining Hasidic and Kabbalistic literature and by focusing on problems of God, prayer, and our place in the universe. The chapters on prayer and the development of the different branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist) are especially strong. This book will be most helpful to Jews seeking a more mystical, meditative approach to the religious process. Those seeking a more rational treatment will prefer Rabbi Harold Schulweis's For Those Who Cannot Believe (HarperPerennial, 1994). Though the book lacks an index, the resources section gives excellent overview of materials covering Torah study and spiritual Judaism in general. Recommended for public and academic libraries.--Olga Bornstein-Wise, Compaq Computers Tandem Division Lib., Austin, TX