Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

The Paradigm Shift is a fascinating book. Extremely well presented arguement that would appear to confirm the information in the incredible novel "THE Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" by Richard G. Patton. Patton's book goes into detail about Jesus' training BEFORE he appeared on the political scene of first century Palestine. Shalomi's book goes behind the evident historical perspective to explain WHY we live in the present turbulent times and how they relate to the taumatic events of Jesus' times. Highly recommended.