Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi [Paperback]

Ellen Singer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2000

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi is one of the most innovative and inspiring rabbis in the Jewish world today. Often considered the _grandfather of the Havurah movement_ and the most influential advocate of the rapidly growing movement of Jewish Renewal, Reb Zalman (as he is known by his countless students and admirers) has earned a reputation as a courageous, profoundly spiritual contemporary master. Jewish Renewal, as Reb Zalman explains it, is based on Kabbalah, Hasidism, and other forms of Jewish mysticism. _Jewish Renewal does not want to abandon sacred and cherished traditions,_ teaches Reb Zalman. Rather, the _paradigm shift_ advocates of Jewish Renewal call for asks that we recognize - as we have in the past - that there are newly emerging ways of looking at reality. Just as humankind had to adjust to the knowledge that the earth is not the center of the universe, so too do we today have to recognize that our understanding of our world has undergone significant change. Reb Zalman teaches that we must let go of the old paradigms rather than cling to these obsolete ways of thinking. In this book, Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi offers what he calls _the journey of my own recontextualization of Judaism as helped by Jewish mysticism._ Reb Zalman points out that Judaism has undergone several _paradigm shifts_ throughout its long history, such as the period after the destruction of the First and Second Temples, when, as Reb Zalman explains, _all of our practice and belief had to be reframed._ Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, in addition to being a record of the major teachings of Reb Zalman over the past thirty years, is a call for Jewish renewal once again. A passionate teacher of kabbalistic tradition, Reb Zalman offers a unique blend of Jewish mystical ideas as they encounter the forces and sensibilities of today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jason Aronson (March 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765761238
• ISBN-13: 978-0765761231
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,610,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for Jewish spiritual seekers, January 28, 2000

By 

Lucien the Librarian (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (Hardcover)

Just so that people don't get the idea from the other review that the book is about Jesus: This is one of THE essential works in the movement known as Jewish renewal, by one of the most profound and original Jewish thinkers of our time. Follow "Reb Zalman" on his lifelong spiritual journey as he explores interfaith relations (beyond the "I love you, you love me" banalities that often pass for dialogue), previous instances of the reconstruction of Judaism, exciting old and new prayer and meditation techniques, and visions of Judaism's and humanity's future.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At least he asks some of the right questions, March 6, 2006

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (Paperback)

Zalman Schacter- Shalomi has to be given the great credit of understanding that the tremendous changes which have occurred in the world , changes in science and technology perhaps above all, but changes in all dimensions of culture and history require that the Jewish people confront and understand these realities. I do not believe that the 'paradigm shift' as he understands it sufficiently comprehends all the changes, all the developments. But at least he understands that for the Torah to be a living Torah, and for the Jewish people to be true servants of God they cannot hide within the enclosed space of a past, or pretend they have no relation to others.
For this alone he is a courageous thinker of the kind the Jewish people need more of.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Look Into The Judaism of the Future, June 8, 2007

By 

Gershon S. Caudill "Rabbi Caudill" (El Cerrito, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (Paperback)

There are not many books that change a person's life. This book changed my life. It got me thinking about new ways of seeing myself, my religious beliefs, my community, and how I related to my concept of G*d. It also introduced me to the writings of my teacher and friend, Rabbi Gershon Winker, (shlita). After I read this book, I traveled to the 1994 (5?) Jewish Renewal Kallah in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to meet with the Rebbe, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. There I also met Rabbi David Wolf-Blanke, z"l and Rabbi Avram Davis, Sarah Shendleman, Nan Gefon-Fink, and many others whose writings I had read and whose philosophy of living as a Jew in a modern world, I appreciated and shared. Needless to say, I completely recommend this book for all who are seeking a serious book about 21st century Judaism.