The Handbook of Jewish Meditation Practices: A Guide for Enriching the Sabbath and Other Days of Your Life [Paperback]

David A. Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2000

To nourish your spiritual self you need “rest” from your hectic life. This book shows you how to do it.

While broad interest in Jewish meditation is a relatively new phenomenon, meditative practices have been deeply rooted in Judaism for thousands of years. Here, Rabbi David A. Cooper shows newcomers and experienced meditators alike how Jewish meditation can be an integral part of daily life, and can refresh us in our day-to-day encounters with ourselves, other people, and in ritual, prayer, Torah study, and our celebration of the Sabbath and other holy days.

Editorial Reviews

Review

David Cooper skillfully helps us explore the spiritual depths of Judaism in this beautiful, informative handbook. -- Nan Fink Gefen, author, Discovering Jewish Meditation

Describes a spiritual life that is real, transformative, and accessible. Even more important, this book opens a door to such a spiritual life. -- Sharon Salzberg, author, Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness

Meticulous and thoughtful…carefully opens the door to the quieter realms of the Jewish soul. -- Rodger Kamenetz, author, The Jew in the Lotus

Weaves the strands of an ancient path into a spiritual tapestry that resonates with the heart of all religions... -- Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind

From the Inside Flap

We’ve learned to take vacations to revitalize our bodies, but how often do we take time to refresh our souls?

In this practical guide, award-winning author Rabbi David A. Cooper reaches deep into the roots of Judaism for ways to quiet the mind and refresh the soul.

He focuses attention on ancient and modern Jewish practices and traditions, meditation exercises and contemplative study of Jewish sacred texts.

Through explanation and example, Cooper makes meditation practices accessible. He shows how busy people can deepen their own spiritual lives, and reap the rewards of greater spiritual health in their daily lives.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing; 2 Revised edition (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580231020
• ISBN-13: 978-1580231022
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Usable and Inspiring, September 29, 2007

By 

Emma Lefkowitz "E. W. Lefkowitz" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Handbook of Jewish Meditation Practices: A Guide for Enriching the Sabbath and Other Days of Your Life (Paperback)

The structure of this book is its strength. After a really wonderful and inspiring beginning chapter, the author follows with *many* mini-chapters of specific meditations. They're really easy to understand and to use. He writes the meditations in a step-by-step format that makes them feel really accessible. I did the meditation on a sacred/spiritual text recently and it was very rich. I particularly appreciate this book as a practicing Jew who is constantly looking for ways to bring meaning to my practice.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book !, August 31, 2011

By 

Regina Messer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Handbook of Jewish Meditation Practices: A Guide for Enriching the Sabbath and Other Days of Your Life (Paperback)

I do recommend this book for everyone who is interested in deepening his/her experience either on shabbat or other jewish practices.It's great how R. David Cooper offers heartful words for theory and also for poweful practices.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Handbook of Jewish Meditation Practices, April 13, 2011

By 

miriam - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Handbook of Jewish Meditation Practices: A Guide for Enriching the Sabbath and Other Days of Your Life (Paperback)

I just love this book! It is a great aid for me since I was not raised in a home that practiced Judaism. It will open your heart to various techniques of meditation and guidance practiced by the ancients. Each chapter will give you insight and help you to enjoy your daily life. It will renew your Jewishness. Your soul will be so happy when you actually start putting these meditations and insights into practice. You will be growing more confident in your spiritual journey. I do now indeed have confirmation that my ancestors were Jewish. But deep down my soul told me all along that I had a Jewish heart. I have learned so much by reading various books and listening to tapes that Rabbi David A. Cooper has done. This book is right up there with the best of them! I give it 5 stars!