Customer Reviews

Magickal Judaism: Connecting Pagan & Jewish Practice

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

 

 

I'm giving this book four stars although 4.5 stars would more accurately reflect my assessment. I consider it a good piece of writing for the general reader on a subject that sorely needs to be written about. In 270 pages Ms. Hunter covers topics ranging from Jewish history and mythology to perspectives on the divine to mysticism to the yearly cycle to ritual both Neo-pagan and Jewish. She also provides background information on magical and Jewish terms and concepts as well as a bibliography and recommended websites for futher research.

The area of magical Judaism has, until recently, been a very overlooked subject and the idea of combining Neo/Pagan practices and/or beliefs with Jewish ones has been nigh unto unheard of, the two paths generally being thought of as anathema to each other. What has been written about the magical aspects of Judaism has either come from the perspective of the Orthodox where the topic has been so obscured by mainstream Jewish beliefs as to be difficult to find or from ceremonial magic which has adapted Jewish concepts for it's own purpose. Neither perspective is terribly helpful for the growing number of Jews trying to integrate the practices/beliefs found in the more nature based or polytheistic segments of Neo-Paganism with a path that is Jewish to some degree. The elements to do this are there to be found though and this book does a decent job of drawing them out and showing how they have been adopted, adapted or otherwise utilized. Ms. Hunter delivers a work that is informative as well as being inspirational to and supportive of those following this path.

I found this book easy to read. One of the things I really liked about Ms. Hunter's writing style is how she performed more of the roll of facilitator for the various topics than lecturer on them. We hear from the practitioners themselves rather than information being related second hand. Her words provide informative and smooth background and transitions from comment to comment and between topics. She makes the topics accessible to the general reader by not getting overly technical and yet the reader who has a more than basic knowledge of Judaism and/or Paganism will not find it so simplistic as to be boring. For me this was one of those books in which new things are found on subsequent readings and it has and undoubtedly will continue to be a reference work and idea source for my own practice. Over all I enjoyed her writing style very much and look forward to reading her other works.

I can only hope that her other works will show the diversity, where appropriate, that she has managed to include in this book. Much of her background material on Jewish magical elements, both the knowledge and practice of them, is drawn from Orthodox sources but for better or worse, that is where they have been preserved over the centuries. It has only been relatively recently that they have crept into liberal mainstream Jewish practice and thought. Traditional Jewish elements are being combined with liberal Jewish paths and non-Jewish paths in a myriad of ways and Ms. Hunter has managed to address the diversity of these paths through her choices of the 13 interviewees, none of whom duplicate each other in belief or practice.

My one disappointment with this book is that it doesn't go further in depth. In many areas I found it enough to whet my appetite but not enough to sink my teeth into. Magickal Judaism is a seminal work in the field though and anyone who has an interest in non-mainstream Judaism or adding depth to a mainstream liberal Jewish practice should read it. I hope that this book proves to be only the first on the interplay of Jewish and Neo-Pagan thought and practice and the incorporation of magic into mainstream Jewish practice; it's a great place to begin.

The book is a mixture of narrative and interviews with a variety of flavors of Jewitches. There are thirteen featured contributors to this book. I find that number funny as hell, since that's the traditional number of people in a Wiccan coven. Oh, and let me say up front -- I don't think there's a Wiccan in the bunch, except maybe Jen. Each of the feature contributors, including myself, were interviewed by Jennifer either by phone or email about a variety of topics. Our answers are used as illustrations throughout the book, as Jennifer brings up various issues about the world of Jewitchery. Jennifer does a great job of explaining both the Pagan and Jewish elements, without being pedantic. In reality, most readers will have a stronger foundation in one than the other and need explanations of different terms and ideas.

I'm really impressed by how well Jen was able to show the variety and diversity in our small community. The age range and paths of the people interviewed is far and wide. I think one thing that will surprise people is how old we all are. I'm one of the youngest at 32 (at the time I was interviewed). Many of the people interviewed are in their 40s and up. I am also glad that Jen was able to include Elisheva. While Elisheva would never call herself a Jewitch, she is a hugely important part of the Magickal Judaism community. Also as a native Israeli, she brings a unique and often surprising perspective to things.

I highly recommend this book to everyone in the Magickal Judaism community both as a personal read and as a great way to explain your beliefs and community to your family. I'm really proud of being a part of this book. I'm going to add it to my "Jewitchery 101" reading list -- because I think anyone who calls themself a Jewitch, owes it to themself to read this book.

What a fantastic book! Many relevant questions presented and answered from various view points in a style reminiscent of Talmudic style commentary. This book assured me that I was not alone on this rather bewildering and contradictory stage of my journey. Though the insights shared in the text, I have a better understanding of my history and the Craft, making it easier for me to find my own way integrating the the 2 practices into a meaningful way of life for me. I bought copies of this book for each of my siblings to help on their journeys, also. Many thanks to Jennifer Hunter for her gift, showing that is really is possible to work under 2 stars!

Oy, it's about time. Finally, a book that acknowledges the meshuganah pagans and their contribtutions to Wicca and neopaganism. Few people realize how much of Wiccan ritual tradition has pagan Jewish roots, and this book points out what we've all been missing for so long. The author's approach to her subjects is sensitive, the writing style is easy to read, and this book is a wonderful way for pagans to learn about an underrepresented group of colleagues. The majority of pagans may not identify as Norse, Stregas, Egyptian, or Voodoo, but they have had the opportunity to learn about these traditions from authors connected to their roots. Up until now, it hasn't been possible to learn about the Jewish connection to neopaganism, but now that has changed.

Hunter interviewed an interesting sample of contributors, but it is not as extensive or varied as the sample for her previous book on pagan sexuality. Phyllis Curott is conspicuously missing, for example, and I would have appreciated her viewpoint here. But the author otherwise gives us a good sense of Jewish American Paganism. In general, they do not the share the Zionism of mainstream American Jews (and Starhawk most definitely does not), but they do place an emphasis on historical research, already emphasized among Norse pagans. Like other pagans, they are happy to leave their monotheistic beliefs behind them, but they want very much to retain the stuff which merges easily with modern pagan belief. All we need now is a collection of pagan tales from the time before Mohammed to round out our knowledge of witches from the Middle East.

I love this book I have been looking for a book that explains in detail how to combine these two practices and this book does an excellent job. I was a little confused at first reading the Jewish holidays vs the Wiccan ones but after re-reading it became much more clear. I was also extreamely interested in the first section where it talked about history, I was not aware that there were so many similarities. I was pleased with the comments of the contributors also. I have used this book and re- read portions already many times and I hope that many more books of this type are written by others. There needs to be more books written on this subject!

An old/New kind of Jew is arising on the Jewish scene, the Jewish Pagan. A Jewish Pagan is someone who combines their Judaism and Paganism is some way or another. Some identify as Pagans of Jewish backgrounds while others bring Pagan practices into their Judaism. Some bring Jewish material into their worship of Pagan Gods/Goddesses.

Jewish Paganism is not entirely new however, the Canaanites were the fore runner of the Israelites. Their Gods included El, Asherah, Baal and Anath. El is the father Gods and is referred to in the Jewish Torah. Ashera was his consort. Jews worshipped Ashera up until the falling of the second temple. The Ancient Israelites were not pure monotheists even though there tribal God was YHVH. YHVH existed along side other deities. It is mentioned in the prophets that the Israelites worshipped Ashtoret the Queen of Heaven and honored Dummuzzi a Babylonian Shepherd God.

Being Paagan and Jewish are not as contradictory as one may think. Many Jews today will adopt Celtic deities and most are predominantly Wiccan. Some of the Wiccns in Israel may be entirely Pagan in many ways but will not touch the Caanaanite Gods. Here is America the story is a bit different.

Some of the most famous Wiccan Jews would include Starhawke,Marion Weinstein and Merlin Stone. These Jews have had a major impact in the shaping of Moden Day Wicca. In fact Jews make up a pretty high percentage of Neo-Pagans. Becoming aa Neo-Pagan is not the same as becoming a Christian or a Muslim both groups which at certain historical junctions have had conflicts with the Jews. Neo Paganism is not antagonistic towards Judaism and both are sort of outsider religions.

The Pagan paths and the Jewish path share many similiarities. Both are concerned primarily with the her and now and creating a sacred space. Both spiritual pursuits lend themselves well to either a solitary or group practice. Both also have a sense of the feminine in the divine although in Modern Orthodox Judaism the trend might be to suppress the femenine side.

Western Occult and magickal traditions use kabbalistic material and inspiration quite freely and Kabbaallah is the bassis for most system of Magick, Wicca included. THere are religious Jews that practice Western Magick.

The author, Jennifer Hunter, has prepared a nifty little book to get the budding magickal Jew started. She covers scholarly material from Raphael Patai and Areyeh Kaplan, two prominent Jewish scholars. Material is also directly quoted from Marion Weinstein and Starhawke. Two Wiccan Jews that have influenced countless Wiccan. Jennifer also interviews some prominent Jewish Pagans active in the community. A nice little bonus are some goodies that aa Jewitch can include in their grimoires. This book is a great starting point to great journey. Happy Trails.

I beleive, after reading this book, that its intent was very well met. Explaining the connections of Pagans and Jews, and explaining how one can live a Pagan life while still being Jewish.
It also touches on how historically many beliefs that now paganism makes available to a seeker were very much a part of Jewish beleifs.
I too "struggle with God" at times, and no, the meaning of this sentence is never a "boast". I believe I'm in good company as many great thinkers and religious persons have had struggles with God. And the struggle has never been comfortable or pretty nor someting to boast about.
I trully enjoyed the book, and gave it 4 stars only because I wish Ms. Hunter would have had the space to expound on many ideas further. Perhaps it would have made for a too ponderous book, so maybe in a next book? <fingers crossed>

I was very much interested in ordering this book UNTIL I saw that Starhawk was quoted. Starhawk is ravenously anti-Israel, and while you may be able to be Jewish and a Witch as I am, (I do not refer to myself as Wiccan or Pagan) I am nevertheless unfailingly loyal to Israel. Starhawk is nothing but an angry trouble-maker and I would strongly suggest that the "Jewitch" community stay as far away from her as possible because there is nothing redeeming that you can learn from this confused woman. She has completely turned her back on her own people albeit for no substantial reason, but most likely, because of her own psychologically inspired confusion (she was raised an Orthodox Jew) and if she wishes to practice Wicca, no problem there as far as I am concerned, but do not go so far as to portray your own people as the enemy without rhyme, reason, or basis. By the way, she's banned from entering Israel after the last stunt she pulled here. I am very leery of these books that pander to the "neophyte" magickal community. They are usually filled with many inaccuracies, and are not researched thoroughly. Eliciting the thoughts and/or opinion of the likes of Starhawk is my first case in point that these types of books do not really serve anyone who truly wishes to live a "Jewish magickal" life, and have all their facts straight too, by the way, yet at the same time, does not wish to turn their back on, nor shun, their own people and the religion of their birth, namely, Judaism. And, by the way, the Jews were the original magicians, so to speak, after all, who gave the world Kabbalah? There is nothing more mystical or magickally powerful than this very intricate, and often times, difficult to comprehend magickal text. The study of Kabbalah is on-going, and therefore, only if you are a dedicated Kabbalist, could you possibly after many years truly understand, or at the very least, make a serious attempt at understanding the concepts of real Jewish magick.

I am quite disappointed in this book, which I purchased because after some years of not being observant, I had thought to start observing the holidays, trying to combine that with practices of witchcraft like working with plant genii. Immediately upon browsing through the book at home I noticed a distinct prejudice on the part of the author for Orthodoxy as the only legitimate interpretation of Judaism. Such remarks as "Even those of us who aren't Orthodox can practice the Jewish rituals with intent and awareness." (p. 156) abound. It is bad enough to encounter this sort of sectarianism from certain backwards people in mainstream Judaism, but its expression in something that is trying to combine Judaism and Paganism is at best the result of laziness and ignorance. It is very clear that the author has relied upon Orthodox sources for all her information about Jewish law and practice - this when Orthodoxy is what, 5% of Jews in the US? Way to be pluralistic.

The author posted on LiveJournal that she did not know any Jews other than Orthodox who followed halachah. She must not know very many Jews then, and if that is the case, I have to wonder on what basis she decided she had the knowledge to write this book. Running a forum doesn't qualify one to write authoritatively on a topic.

Much of the information in the book is a watered-down version of what you will find in Raphael Patai's fabulous book, The Hebrew Goddess. You can get much more "meat" for incorporation into your practice (and a whole new appreciation for Judaism as non-monolithic and even perhaps non-monotheistic) from his work than you ever will from this one. And Patai has not got any Orthodox axe to grind. There are also several academic works on Jewish ceremonial magic out there, like Ritual Practices to Gain Power, Icons of Power, and Scholastic Magic. Then there is the enormous amount of recent research by Moshe Idel on straight Kabbalah and on what he calls ecstatic Kabbalah, such as was practiced by Abulafia and by some of the Hasidim at the beginning of the movement, which offers a lot of material for people wanting to use shamanistic techniques. There's even the hoary old Jewish Magic and Superstition by Trachtenberg, which has been reprinted, if you're looking for straight witchcraft. So it's not like there are no sources out there for Jewish Pagans or magicians.

A number of the quotes from interviews with practicioners of a mix of Judaism and Neopaganism sounded whiney to me. I would have preferred more about how one's practice was satisfying rather than snarky remarks about how "rabbis can't tell me what to do" and boastful claims like "I've always wrestled with God."

I wanted to like this book. I'm sure the author is a nice person. But she doesn't know what she is talking about, and she is spreading sectarianism. Do we really need more of that?