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Jewish Spiritual Direction: An Innovative Guide from Traditional and Contemporary Sources

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This book is a deep exploration of the newly emerging practice of Jewish spiritual direction. In rich, evocative prose, the various writers place spiritual guidance and the Jewish yearning for a direct experience of the divine in a clear historical context, exploring its roots in Torah, rabbinic sources and hasidic writings while acknowledging its profound relation to contemplative Christianity. The editors have included essays by a wide range of brilliant thinkers in the field who explore the relation between personal piety and social justice, using the prayerbook as a template for the spiritual journey, and bringing poetry, art and dance into spiritual direction...among many other fascinating topics. The editors are unfailingly courageous in their approach. They seem to anticipate the concerns that inevitably arise...Is this really Jewish? How can I distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of my own ego? How does contemplative Judaism mesh with the more familiar setting of communal prayer? At each juncture, the questions are raised and considered without giving in to the temptation to provide easy answers. This book is a treasure that somehow manages to address difficult questions without being arcane.

Editors, Addison and Breitman's "Jewish Spiritual Direction" bring together an extraordinary group of writers and thinkers who present ideas, perspectives and learnings within the growing field of Jewish Spiritual Direction. This book explores from a Jewish perspective universal themes about seeking the Holy and seeking meaning for everyday lives. The writers delve into and give expression to the particular ways that the tradition prays, questions, teaches about God. Essays exploring Jewish texts inform and expand the understanding of a Jewish perspective of spiritual direction and ground it within the tradition. The glossary of terms increases the accessibility of the material for all.
This book speaks to Jewish directors and directors of other faith traditions as well as providing an informative and knowledgeable base of information to those seeking more about the practice of Jewish spiritual direction. I highly recommend this book.

Jewish Spiritual Direction: An Innovative Guide From Traditional And Contemporary Sources, knowledgeably compiled and expertly co-edited by Rabbi Howard Avruhm Addison and psychotherapist Barbara Eve Breitman is an in-depth study of Jewish theology and Judaic spiritual philosophy. Deftly presenting the symbolic, scriptural, and ritual complexities of Jewish practice and custom, Jewish Spiritual Direction offers commentaries and contributions by sixteen learned men and women on such issues as the vocabulary of Jewish spiritual direction; spiritual direction as a contemplative practice; contemplation and social action; cultivation of a hearing heart; spiritual types; community for spiritual direction; and so much more. A core addition to any personal, synagogue, or academic library's Judaic Studies reference collection, Jewish Spiritual Direction is very strongly recommended as a complete and "user-friendly" guide that draws upon both ancient and contemporary Judaic sources.