7th Heaven: Celebrating Shabbat with Rebbe Nachman of Breslov [Paperback]

Moshe Mykoff (Author), Breslov Research Institute (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

7th Heaven delves into the art of consciously observing Shabbat--exploring many of the day's traditional religious practices within the context of life's spiritual dynamics. With the help and wisdom of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov--one of the most important of the early Hasidic masters--this guidebook offers insight into the deeper meaning and purpose of a broad range of Shabbat observances and seeks to show how each custon or law fits within the whole.

In accessible, easy-to-understand language, 7th Heaven is a spiritual guide for all levels of Shabbat observance: If Shabbat is new to you, or you’ve experienced it only in its popular form, but would like to deepen your understanding and connection. If Shabbat is something you grew up with, but you were never taught the inner meaning of all the customs and laws you were told to obey. If Shabbat has never been a part of your spiritual practice, but you would like to learn more about the Jewish pathway to wholeness and higher consciousness.

Based on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) and those of his closest disciple, Reb Noson, the deep insights into Torah and spirituality revealed by these great Hasidic luminaries are as relevant in today’s world as they were some two centuries ago, when they were first taught.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A wonderful skylight into the mystery, beauty, and holiness of traditional Sabbath observance, refracted through the teachings of one of the great rebbes of all time.” —Lawrence Kushner, author, Filling Words with Light: Hasidic and Mystical Reflections on Jewish Prayer “Seeing Shabbat through the eyes, insights, and wisdom of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov adds a unique beauty and spirit to this most spiritual of all days.” —Francine Klagsbrun, author, The Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Moshe Mykoff is a writer and translator living in Jerusalem. He has published more than a dozen works, including his best-selling adaptations of Rebbe Nachman’s maxims on spiritual growth, The Empty Chair: Finding Hope and Joy and The Gentle Weapon: Prayers for Everyday and Not-So-Everyday Moments (both Jewish Lights), and his translation of seven volumes of Rebbe Nachman’s magnum opus, Likutey Moharan (Breslov Research Institute).

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580231756
• ISBN-13: 978-1580231756
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,069,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explore the inner spirit of the Jewish Sabbath, April 7, 2003

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 7th Heaven: Celebrating Shabbat with Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (Paperback)

Abraham Joshual Heschel once called Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) "a palace in time." This new book by Moshe Mykoff gives you the inner architectural tools for constructing that palace within your own life experience.

In his introduction, Mykoff says that his book is intended for three kinds of people: 1) Jews who are new to sabbath observance and want to know the "why" of the rituals; 2) Jews who have never encounted the Sabbath and want to know more about it; and 3) Jews who grew up within the ritual observance and now want to understand the deeper meanings of Shabbat. To this list I would add a fourth category: Jews who, like myself, are familar with much of this material, but who sometimes need to be reminded of it in well-written, contemporary prose. (Non-Jews will also find it an interesting window into the inner meaning of the Sabbath, although the book does assume that you know the basics.)

"Seventh Heaven" is arranged in short lessons that follow the complete cycle of the 26-hour Sabbath day, from pre-Shabbat preparations on Friday afternoon to the post-Shabbat celebration known as "Melavah Malkah." For each step, there are quotes from traditional sources, followed by Mykoff's essay (based on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman) about the inner meaning of the step in question. The result is a clear roadmap for deepening your personal experience of Shabbat.

Although the book can be read from cover-to-cover as a Shabbat manual, each lesson is also complete in itself. Each one is a couple pages long -- perfect for a short dvar Torah at the Sabbath table. Mykoff's writing style is both profound and contemporary -- a refreshing change from other books written in that overly-pedantic Orthodox style that I call "Yeshivish." Mykoff writes for the educated English speaking public, and he does it well. In short, this book is a pleasure to read -- again and again.