A how-to for Jewish spirituality that works.
“A spiritual seeker is a person whose soul is awake. In this book I make no assumptions about how much you know about Judaism, what holidays you keep, or whether you believe in God. I want us to start from your soul’s experience and carry on from there.”
—from the Introduction
“Virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book,” wrote Publishers Weekly, which listed Jewish with Feeling among its Best Religion Books of the Year. “Without question the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman’s philosophy of Judaism, it is also the best beginner’s guide to Jewish spirituality available today,” wrote the Forward, “the perfect book for both the spiritual seeker and the curious skeptic.”
Taking off from basic questions like “Why be Jewish?” and whether the word God still speaks to us today, Reb Zalman lays out a vision for a whole-person Judaism. This is not only Sinai then but Sinai now, a revelation of the Torah inside and all around us. Complete with many practical suggestions to enrich your own Jewish life, Jewish with Feeling is “a mystical masterpiece filled with spiritual practices and an exciting vision of the future” (Spirituality & Health). Spiritual experience, as Reb Zalman shows, repays every effort we make to acquire it.
“Zalman’s teachings have inspired a generation of Jews, encouraging an open-hearted, open-minded Judaism. I count myself as one of his students, and commend this book to seekers of meaning and joy.”
—Anita Diamant, author, The Red Tent
“Reb Zalman is the perfect teacher, not telling us what to believe or do, but opening doors for us to find our way.”
—Rabbi Harold Kushner, author, When Bad Things Happen to Good People
“Blend[s] mysticism, scholarship and sechel into a unique and down-to-earth book for those who want to make Judaism their personal spiritual path. A book for anyone who wants to practice Judaism as a living religion.”
—Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, author, Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather’s Blessings
“The most important statement yet by one of the few contemporary figures who truly has a vision of how the world should work.”
—Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author, Jewish Literacy and The Book of Jewish Values
“Whether by birth, by marriage or by choice, whether practicing or not, virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book.”
—Publishers Weekly
“[An] enlightening mystical masterpiece. An inspiring and expansive vision of Judaism that is informed by mysticism, Hasidism, everyday spirituality, creative use of ritual and an intriguing understanding of meaningful Jewish practice.”
—SpiritualityHealth.com
“Without question, the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman’s philosophy of Judaism ... [and] the best ‘beginner’s guide to Jewish spirituality’ available today.”
—The Forward
Joel Segel, editor of many books on spirituality, is coauthor (with Reb Zalman) of Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer.
