Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life

Book excerpt: Leading scholars and teachers share their favorite texts of the Jewish mystical tradition--many available in English for the first time--and explore why these materials are meaningful and relevant to us today. In this unique volume, some of Judaism's most insightful contemporary thinkers bring the words of sages past to bear on the present. They explore how we can become closer to God through our relationships with others, our observance at home and our actions in the world, asking: What do mitzvot have to do with mysticism? Is spirituality selfish? Can mysticism enhance community? Organized thematically, each section focuses on how mysticism engages and complements the dimensions of religious life, including studying Torah, performing mitzvot and observing halakhah. Contributors: Yehonatan Chipman * Mimi Feigelson * Lawrence Fine * Eitan Fishbane * Michael Fishbane * Nancy Flam * Everett Gendler * Joel Hecker * Shai Held * Melila Hellner-Eshed * Barry W. Holtz * Jeremy Kalmanofsky * Judith A. Kates * Lawrence Kushner * Ebn Leader * Shaul Magid * Ron Margolin * Daniel Matt * Haviva Pedaya * Nehemia Polen * Neal and Carol Rose * Or N. Rose * Zalman Schachter-Shalomi * Jonathan P. Slater * Gordon Tucker * Sheila Peltz Weinberg * Chava Weissler