Customer Reviews

Jewish Tales of Reincarnation

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Rabbi Gershom presents a broad and detailed survey of stories and assertions about reinicarnation from many of the most highly respected religious authorities, generally Hasidic, in Jewish history. Gershom presents the accounts in a clear, gentle, respectful, and generous writing style. He expects no wide-eyed gullibility from the reader, and clearly he is not preaching about reincarnation, either to the choir or the skeptics. This is a serious work, and a real contribution from a special rabbi who is emerging as a scholar and a leader in religious renewal, firmly set in Judaism but with real and deep contact with the best in other religious streams. I think many readers will be grateful to Rabbi Gershom for this work.

Wow! Rabbi Gershom has really outdone himself with this new book!

I had read some of these stories before in other anthologies. But to be honest, the references to rebirth were so obscure that I missed them completely. Rabbi Gershom's versions change all that. He makes the stories crystal-clear by retelling them in beautifully-written inspiring, easy-to-read prose.

The stories are arranged in chapters according to themes, such as "Heaven and Earth," "Redeeming Sparks," "Animal and Human," "The Hasidic Masters," etc. For each chapter, there's an overview explaining the Jewish ideas relating to reincarnation and that chapter's theme. This made it very easy to understand the stories in each section, even if you don't know much about Judaism. I enjoyed reading his personal insights in the endnotes, too. Ten stars!

Jewish Tales of Reincarnation is a fascinating book, extremely well-written, and one of the most exciting books I have read. In this book you will find answers to questions you had never even thought of! If you think you've been here before, you're right - you have. This is a wonderful collection of reincarnation stories and I highly recommend it.

Excellent reference for those studying or interested in Jewish spirituality, Jewish mysticism, Jewish literature.

***

There's nothing as heartwarming and satisfying as a hot bowl of matzohball soup. A bit of herring afterward doesn't hurt, either. "Jewish Tales of Reincarnation" by Rabbi Yonassan Gershom hits the same spot but the satisfaction lasts much longer.

"Tales" is a compliation of Jewish folklore and teachings that deal with the difficult issues of death, rebirth, and the various meanings of why we come back and why we even came at all. Coming from deep in Jewish cultural and religious beliefs that have been long eschewed by all but a minority in the modern Jewish world, the concepts in these tales are penned by Y. Gershom with language that is clearly understandable to the modern reader, and with the author's gift for including numerous cultural facts and mores in a way that does not take away from the narrative flow, as well as in a way that never makes the reader feel that they have been patronized or spoon-fed.

The stories themselves are bracing in their simultaneous simplicity and profound meaning. Basic values of what makes one truly human, what brings the presence of G-d more richly into this world, are present in every tale. The sheer wonder and excitement of feeling like a child transfixed by a grandparent's storytelling overtakes you, and you're off!... Who knows where you'll land after the journey through these tales that transform the imagination and challenge one's heart. You'll definitely be asking for seconds.

As I was doing some research on Judaism, I came across this book. I was very intrigued by the title. I was born in a Jewish family but always felt more drawn to Indian religion and philosophy which believes in reincarnation. I thought the book was a good read and I enjoyed the stories. However what I found disturbing was the slights against(Christianity) in some of the stories. I wasn't comfortable with this. I don't like when religions invalidate other religions. Each religion has their relationship with God and it should be respected. For me the difference are only in their approach to the Infinite. I can understand though that Jews have been persecuted, oppressed and forced to convert in the name of Christianity so there isn't good feeling about that religion some times.

The Hasidic sect seems very interesting and mystical to me. I never knew that about Judaism. I loved reading about the master Rabbis and their wisdom. I never imagined that their could be Jewish Masters. I only read about Christian and Indian holy men and saints. I gained a greater respect of my birth religion after reading this book. The irony for me however is that while the book talks about Jewish souls born in gentile bodies who yearn for Judaism, my experience is the exact opposite. I never felt connected to Judaism and always felt a closeness to Jesus without any prompting. When young I couldn't understand why Jews thought of Jesus as nothing. I am not Christian and don't want to be but I can not deny I feel a strong connection to Jesus. I have my own past life memory as a Christian monk. At a Reiki initiation many years ago, the master confirmed this when she told me she saw a lighted cross on my back and there were monks around me. Anyway what I am saying is that I don't believe that souls that are inherently one religion or the other. They may be influenced by past life memories as being one of those religions. I also have strong past life memories of lives lived in India.

All and all this is a very Good book, especially if you are Jewish because most Jews do not think reincarnation is part of their religion. For non-Jews it gives great insight into observant Jewish religion and shows that yes Jews are noble , pious and close to God. You will also learn that Christians have not cornered the market on God or salvation, sorry to tell you.

AND NOT TORAH IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER!!! Read the Tanakh and what it has to say about Israel turning away from G-d and the forthcoming judgement as a result! Don't just read the Parashot that does not cover the entire Scriptures; read it all!!!! This is PAGAN theology! Stay away from it!

This book should never have been written, as it contributes NOTHING to the literature on reincarnation.It is a confused mixture of tidbits from superstitious lore, mystic speculations, senseless stories, from which one can see the autor's general confusion on this whole topic. A waste of time, in every way.