A Book of Life: Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice [Hardcover]

Michael Strassfeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2002

Michael Strassfeld, coauthor of the historic Jewish Catalogs, provides a fresh, innovative guide to recapturing Jewish spirituality. For all the cycles of life--from waking in the morning to retiring at night, from the weekdays to the Sabbath and holidays, from the beginning of the year to its close, from birth to death--Rabbi Strassfeld presents traditional Jewish teachings as a guide to behavior and values. Where the tradition is replete with rituals (for example, the Sabbath), he describes them and shows us how they can enrich our spiritual life. Where rituals are sparse or nonexistent (for example, returning home at the end of the workday), he suggests new ones gleaned from his own study and experience.

Rabbi Strassfeld also brings the principles of "insight meditation" to Jewish life, using this practice to recover and reconstruct Judaism's spiritual dimension. He describes a Judaism that encourages within us a spiritual awareness as we participate in both traditional Jewish practices and the mundane activities of daily life. By engaging with Jewish tradition in ways that recapture its original kavanah, or intention, we will, Rabbi Strassfeld maintains, achieve the two fundamental goals of Judaism, which are to make us better human beings and place us in the presence of God.

Topics include:
* Speech
* Eating and Food
* Study
* Prayer
* Lovingkindness
* Holy Days
* Relationships
* Aging
* Israel

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author of this outstanding book is the rabbi of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, the New York synagogue where Mordecai Kaplan started the Reconstructionist movement in 1922. He is also one of the authors of The Jewish Catalog, the bestselling handbook for Jewish practices, first published nearly 20 years ago. This follow-up is a far more sophisticated and comprehensive guide that adds meditation to traditional Jewish rituals. As he explores his thesis that "Judaism is meant to be a spiritual discipline," Strassfeld displays his considerable erudition by providing explanations based on Talmudic and Midrashic texts as well as Hasidic and mystical stories. Appropriately, the book opens with Jewish behavior prescribed for the beginning of the day and continues with prayers for the rest of the day, along with proposed meditations. After a thorough discussion of Shabbat rituals (to which Strassfeld suggests adding an environmental orientation), he analyzes Torah study, prayer and deeds of loving-kindness the three pillars on which the world rests, according to Judaism. This is followed by a detailed survey of Jewish holidays in which Strassfeld acknowledges differences among the Jewish denominations, as he spells out the customs and processes associated with each festival. He offers an ingenious and global examination of the life cycle, placing it in the context of the five books of Moses. Strassfeld writes clearly, making complicated matters comprehensible. This valuable book needs to be read and reread by all Jews, and by non-Jews who want to understand their Jewish neighbors.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Rabbi Strassfeld examines life as a spiritual path from morning to night, from one full year to a lifetime, believing that being a good Jew is to live a life of goodness and holiness. In this guide to behavior and values, Strassfeld explores such topics as sabbath laws and practices, speech (it can heal or damage), work ethics, and keeping kosher. In a section entitled "The Three Paths," the author discusses the study of Torah, the kinds of prayer (this includes a brief guide to Jewish liturgy), and deeds and loving-kindness. The author also describes the Jewish festivals, examines the ways to live a life of holiness, and discusses what he calls a "new religious Zionism." His sources include the Bible, Midrash, Talmud, and other Jewish writing, and the book is filled with prayers and blessings for every occasion. An invaluable study of Jewish law and rituals. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Schocken; 1st edition (August 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805241248
• ISBN-13: 978-0805241242
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #926,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book a lot of us have been waiting for!, October 17, 2002

By 

Storywoman (Newton, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Book of Life: Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice (Hardcover)

This is, quite simply, a wonderful, wonderful book. You might think that a book subtitled "Judaism as a Spiritual Practice" might focus dogmatically on the narrow realm of "how can everything be relevant for me", but the author--steeped in knowledge of traditional sources and practices AND himself a spiritual seeker and teacher--has produced a book which is eminently readable, is full of both information and inspiration, and successfully weaves together ancient and contemporary insights. His gentle teaching approach is very accessible and "real".

Whether you are long-time committed Jew who is looking for "something more"--a way of finding more meaning in the Jewish life you are living--or someone who is looking for a way into a deeper Jewish life that is both authentic and personal, this book is for you. (It is also a great book for people simply looking to learn about the wide range of Jewish practice--throughout the day, the year, and the lifetime--including both traditional and contemporary perspectives.) I know of no other book quite like it. I am so glad I bought it!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Serious Seeker's Guide, October 8, 2002

By 

Leia Saltzman (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Book of Life: Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice (Hardcover)

I am awed by the depth of this book.This is a book for the serious seeker.It presents the traditional thinking from the Torah, Midrashim and Talmud,but it has the added spiritual dimension which has become so important in our contemporary Jewish life.
The author takes us through the day from dawn to dusk,through the three paths of Judaism,Torah study,prayer and the path of loving kindness.giving us the traditional laws and customs for each of these and also the method by which to enhance these practices.He does the same for the holidays and also the Jewish life cycle.
Just as Strassfeld's editorship of the Jewish Catalogues,met the needs of the Jewish people of the seventiles."A Book of Life

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Less than it promises, November 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Book of Life: Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice (Hardcover)

Though "A Book of Life" promises a new approach to invest the spiritual into routine Judaism, it ends up being just another "Intro to Judaism" book. The opening chapters on daily prayer routines are good, but later chapters on life cycles and holidays have been done better by others (including Strassfeld himself in an earlier book on the holidays).