The Path of Blessing: Experiencing the Energy and Abundance of the Divine [Paperback]

Marcia Prager (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2003

A simple Hebrew blessing is a powerful thing--a short, deeply meditative exercise exploring the nature of God and the dynamic relationship between God, human consciousness, and the unfolding universe. Written in clear, illuminating prose, this book will guide you through the opening words of a Hebrew blessing--six words which embody the depth of Jewish spirituality--revealing how the letters and words combine to promote joy and appreciation, wonder and thankfulness, amazement and praise. Each word becomes an invitation for us to discover the Presence of God flowing through even the smallest actions of our lives. Examine the deeper meaning behind:

Barukh, Ata, Adonay, Eloheynu, Melekh, Ha’Olam

In the ancient language of the Jewish mystical tradition and the modern language of hasidim, creation theology and psychology, The Path of Blessing brings the words of the Hebrew invocation dramatically alive.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone who chooses this path will find their spiritual practice greatly enriched and deepened."
--Values & Visions --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

I've always been fascinated by the individual sounds of languages and how the shape of each letter reveals its intrinsic meaning. So when I met Rabbi Marcia Prager and heard of the work she had done meditating on each letter of the alephbet and exploring its relationship to the adjoining letters in a word, I was hooked. Rabbi Marcia is a charismatic speaker who brings light and clarity into the room when she teaches. To reproduce this dynamic quality in a book was a real challenge but together I think we did it. As Reb Zalman Schachter, the father of the Jewish Renewal movement says in his praise of The Path of Blessing, "In times past, rabbis were traditionally called upon to give their imprimatur to new works of sacred teaching. While this is no longer the custom, I would like to set such an imprimatur on Rabbi Marcia's work. This is to emphasize that you are not merely reading a book but studying Torah."
--Toinette Lippe, Editorial Director, Bell Tower --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580231489
• ISBN-13: 978-1580231480
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing look at the tradition of Jewish blessings., May 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Path of Blessing: Experiencing the Energy and Abundance of the Divine (Hardcover)

This warm and articulate book describes how the ancient Jewish spiritual practice of blessing offers us a way of becoming aware of God's Presence in our daily lives. Rabbi Prager discusses each of the six Hebrew words which begin every blessing, revealing layers of meaning embedded in the Hebrew words, and stripping away layers of impediments which American culture and English translations have placed in our way. The blessing becomes a moment of mindfulness, a meditation, which brings our attention to the Source of Life in the most mundane actions- eating, drinking, on waking up and going to sleep, on seeing a rainbow, or smelling the fragrance of a flower or shrub. The book is a doorway into a world of wonder, a world in which we stop, awakened to God's Presence in the world and in ourselves. We say blessings of gratitude, not that The Source of All needs our blessings, but because those moments enrich our lives with glimpses of sacred awareness. This is a book which can be read by spiritual seekers of all faiths and all levels of experience. I have read the book three times and have seen something new in each reading. In addition, the end notes are a wonderful resource for further study.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Blessing in itself!, January 17, 2001

By 

Esther Nebenzahl - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Path of Blessing: Experiencing the Energy and Abundance of the Divine (Paperback)

Rabbi Marcia Prager is an active Reconstructionist and Jewish Renewal Teacher, a storyteller in the tradition of great Hassidc Rebbes. Listening to the voice of the Shekhinah, applying the teachings of Baal Shem Tov -- "Enter into every letter with all your strength, God dwells in every letter and as you enter it, you become one with God" -- Rabbi Marcia Prager explores the opening words of a Jewish blessing -- Barukh Ata Adonay Eloheynu Melech Ha'olam (Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe) -- and takes us into another dimension, one of mystical and spiritual fulfillment. This is real "kavvanah!" A wonderful guide for the enrichment of our daily life, not through the obsessed materialism of our era, but through the use of spiritual practice of blessing. It is so simple and at the same time so deep and profound.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book can awaken the soul to give and receive blessings!, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Path of Blessing: Experiencing the Energy and Abundance of the Divine (Hardcover)

The Path of Blessing is an extraoridinary journey into the depths of the importance of blessings. Rabbi Marcia Prager delves into the historical and esoteric roots of each letter of each word. This process forces the reader to awaken new layers of awareness about how you think---and about how you can give more meaning to blessings. This book can awaken the soul to give and receive blessings more fully---so that each moment of life is enriched....I read the book straight through...while others I know have read it in bits and pieces----whatever works for you...make sure you take it all in !!!