Storytelling and Spirituality in Judaism [Paperback]

Yitzhak Buxbaum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2005

'The purpose of this book is to elevate stories and storytelling in people's esteem, so they will understand their holiness and appreciate them at their full worth. There are those who enjoy stories and storytelling but in the back of their minds think, 'After all, they're only stories.' But in the same way that the Western Wall of the Temple is not just a wall, a mere pile of stones, neither are the stories of the Torah or of the tzaddikim 'just stories.' Holy stories are the light of the world. When we understand that, when both tellers and listeners know they are engaged in sacred activity, we will hold stories and storytelling more dear. The teller will tell with the tongue of faith, the listeners will hear with ears of faith, and the circle of holiness will be closed.' -from the Introduction

Editorial Reviews

Review

Storytelling is an integral feature of hasidic culture. "Mayses" about rebbes, their lives, teaching, and philosophies are a rich source of Jewish values and Buxbaum has taken the disparate strands and woven a colorful textile. He has made accessible material generally not available in English, and explicates it for those not acquainted with much of the esoteric lore. This scholarly book is not just stories. What mainly interested me was the importance storytelling played in the lives of hasidic masters and how we can use these stories in this day and age. (Sylvia Friedman )

In recent years there has been a revival of Jewish storytelling in North America and this book is the first and only work on the subject. The author increases our appreciation of how hasidic tales can awaken the religious spirit and how even the average person can become a valuable storyteller. (Canadian Jewish News )

About the Author

Yitzhak Buxbaum is a maggid, an inspired and inspiring teacher and storyteller, who teaches at synagogues, Jewish community centers, and colleges. He graduated from Cornell University and has an advanced degree from the University of Michigan. The author of Jewish Spiritual Practices and The Life and Teachings of Hillel, he resides in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc.; Jason Aronson Inc., 1994 very good condition edition (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568211732
• ISBN-13: 978-1568211732
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #688,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Movements

More About the Author

My first love was Zoology and my original goal was to become a university professor. I received a B.S. in Biology from Cornell University in 1964 and then entered the PhD. program at the University of Michigan. Because of the turmoil surrounding the Vietnam War, all my goals and plans changed. I dropped out of school after receiving my M.S. in Zoology and passing my PhD. exams. From that time my direction changed, and I was seeking meaning in life. I began to read, first the world's great literature (something I'd not previously done) and then came to focus on Philosophy. I was in the PhD. program in Philosophy at Boston University for a year and a half. Finally I came to see that the place to discover meaning was in Religion, not Philosophy. I became Jewishly conscious and then turned to Religion.
After contact with Judaism through Martin Buber's writings and then Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, I entered a Lubavitcher yeshiva. I studied there for half a year; I entered as an atheist and came out a religious Jew ' although I don't identify with any denomination. Later, I lived in Israel (Jerusalem) for two and a half years -- working, living, learning Hebrew. For almost thirty years I was close to Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, my Rebbe. I have been studying Torah intensively for all that time and have become knowledgeable, particularly in Jewish Mysticism, Hasidism, and especially hasidic stories. Stories were an important part of my own entrance to Judaism, are my special spiritual nourishment until today, and as a result I became a "spiritual storyteller." Shlomo gave me s'micha (ordination) as a maggid (inspirational speaker and storyteller) and later, so too did Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Devoted to helping Jews see the beauty of Judaism, I have made efforts as a maggid, teaching and telling stories in synagogues, Y's, Hillel's etc. I have taught in settings of every denomination -- Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Havurah, Renewal. I also teach courses in Jewish Mysticism at The 92nd St Y. in New York City.
Three years ago, wanting to spread the transmission I received as a maggid from Rabbis Shlomo Carlebach and Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, I began a program to train people to come maggidim. The two-year program, for both men and women, is a great success, and very gratifying to me. Over the last two terms, I have ordained six people to spread God's light. If you're interested in such work, please contact me!
Aside from working as a maggid -- teaching and storytelling -- my main effort has been in writing. I have written ten books. My newest book, The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov, which I'm so excited about, is the only comprehensive book in English about this greatest Jewish mystic!
I sometimes describe myself as a "spiritual Jew." I try to be open, inclusive, and non-judgmental. My goal is be a Jew myself and to inspire other people to become committed, spiritual Jews -- "spiritual," meaning that they know the essence of religion. I have friends across the Jewish religious spectrum. I have broad Jewish sympathies and also broad ecumenical sympathies. As a Jewish teacher, I try to provide a bridge not only between different kinds of Jews but also between Jews and people of other faiths. I could use your blessings to continue my work.