First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit: Reb Zalman's Guide to Recapturing the Intimacy and Ecstasy in your Relationship with God - Softcover

Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi; Donald Gropman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1580231829 ISBN 13: 9781580231824

Publisher: Jewish Lights, 2003

Synopsis

A personal guide to the life-giving treasures of the Jewish spiritual tradition.

The classic born-again experience is a sudden, discontinuous event. For a person growing with God in daily practice, there is likely to be less drama. The experience will be more gentle, natural, and easier on your immediate family.... If you stay with this work, you have every reason to trust the adage, “When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears.”
―from First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit

This extraordinary spiritual handbook is a compassionate call to reconnect with your spiritual roots and nourish your relationship with God. Breaking free from ways of Jewish worship that no longer inspire, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi―one of the most important Jewish spiritual teachers since Abraham Joshua Heschel―guides you through practical exercises for enriching the most important aspects of everyday life―physical health, work, marriage, family, prayer―and empowers you with contemporary ways to satisfy your modern spiritual hunger.

Whether refreshing your soul with a midday mini-Sabbath or improving your relationships by refining your awareness, Reb Zalman will introduce you to new models of practicing Judaism. In doing so, he will challenge you to embrace your faith as both spiritually and emotionally enriching, and will awaken you to innovative, inspiring ways for leading a meaningful Jewish life.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

In First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the inspiration of the Jewish Renewal movement, journeys deep into the rich but hidden tradition of meditation, contemplation, and the spiritual search in Judaism for fresh and contemporary rituals to inspire spiritual growth.

Drawing from personal experience as a rabbi, teacher, father, lover, and friend, Reb Zalman will introduce you to new concepts and methods for restoring emotional, spiritual, and bodily vigor, such as:

Accessing organic time to soothe your hurried mind
Practicing visualization techniques to improve your relationship with others and with God
Using focusing techniques to reestablish your spiritual connection with sacred texts
Rediscovering the power of prayer through word and song

About the Author:

Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi (z"l), the inspiration of the Jewish Renewal movement, is widely recognized as one of the most important Jewish spiritual teachers of our time. Professor at Temple University, he authored many books including Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer, winner of the National Jewish Book Award; First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit: Reb Zalman's Guide to Recapturing the Intimacy & Ecstasy in Your Relationship with God (both Jewish Lights); From Age-ing to Sage-ing and Wrapped in a Holy Flame.

Donald Gropman has published several books and numerous articles and short stories.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jewish Lights
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1580231829
• ISBN 13: 9781580231824
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 136