There is an unique relationship that exists between the Jewish mystical teachings of Kabbalah and the highest spiritual philosophy of the Hindus, the Vedanta. Outwardly they appear to be vastly different, but study them, analyze them, come to understand what they are really saying, and the similarities become obvious. And such a study is not just an academic exercise, for it will be found that these ancient teachings not only augment each other in providing answers to the questions of life, but they also contain some very practical advice that can bring a greater measure of harmony in the conducting of our daily affairs. Kabbalah and Vedanta can be called unique as: The dedicated proponents of each one hold that theirs is the earliest spiritual teaching in the world. Neither teaching owes its origin to any single person. Neither can be called a separate religion in the sense of having its own set of man-made creeds and dogmas. The profundity of their wisdom can be considered as equal. In this book, Two Ways of Light, Dr. Judd devotes the first two chapters in examining the six principles common to all kabbalistic schools of thought, and the three essential points of Vedanta. The third chapter shows the intrinsic harmony that exists between Kabbalah and Vedanta by comparing the six principles with the three points. And the fourth chapter illustrates the practical value of both teachings through commentaries on kabbalistic verses that compare to the individual verses of a Vedantic scripture, the Isha Upanishad. Finally, in the fifth chapter will be found not only the reasons for the basic harmony that exists between these two ancient spiritual philosophies and the major world religions, but also the relevance they have for us tody. This book will be of interest for: 1). Those who wish to have a greater understanding of Kabbalah and/or Vedanta, and 2). Those who are looking for greater spiritual meaning in their lives.

There is an unique relationship that exists between the Jewish mystical teachings of Kabbalah and the highest spiritual philosophy of the Hindus, the Vedanta. Outwardly they appear to be vastly different, but study them, analyze them, come to understand what they are really saying, and the similarities become obvious. And such a study is not just an academic exercise, for it will be found that these ancient teachings not only augment each other in providing answers to the questions of life, but they also contain some very practical advice that can bring a greater measure of harmony in the conducting of our daily affairs. Kabbalah and Vedanta can be called "unique" as: The dedicated proponents of each one hold that theirs is the earliest spiritual teaching in the world. Neither teaching owes its origin to any single person. Neither can be called a separate religion in the sense of having its own set of man-made creeds and dogmas. The profundity of their wisdom can be considered as equal. In this book, Two Ways of Light, Dr. Judd devotes the first two chapters in examining the six principles common to all kabbalistic schools of thought, and the three essential points of Vedanta. The third chapter shows the intrinsic harmony that exists between Kabbalah and Vedanta by comparing the six principles with the three points. And the fourth chapter illustrates the practical value of both teachings through commentaries on kabbalistic verses that compare to the individual verses of a Vedantic scripture, the Isha Upanishad. Finally, in the fifth chapter will be found not only the reasons for the basic harmony that exists between these two ancient spiritual philosophies and the major world religions, but also the relevance they have for us tody. This book will be of interest for: 1). Those who wish to have a greater understanding of Kabbalah and/or Vedanta, and 2). Those who are looking for greater spiritual meaning in their lives.

A rabbi’s lifelong journey to discover the source and inspiration of Hasidism. As a student of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s at Jewish Theological Seminary sixty years ago, Burt Jacobson was moved to devote his life to the study of Israel Baal Shem Tov—the founder of Hasidism. Heschel considered the Baal Shem the greatest Jewish teacher and communal leader of the last 1,000 years. Living in the Presence: A Personal Quest for the Baal Shem Tov is a wide-ranging portrait, revealing numerous facets of the Baal Shem Tov’s biography and revolutionary thought previously unknown. Through his knowledge of the world’s wisdom traditions, and personal journey, Rabbi Jacobson is able to place the Baal Shem in the company of the great world spiritual teachers. He reveals the Baal Shem’s vision as an ecstatic mystical encounter that opened to the transcendent unity of existence. It was this that inspired his love and compassion for all creation, especially for the people he met. His disciples testified that their experience of these truths transformed how they understood their own identities as manifestations of the Divine, altered how they lived as spiritual leaders of their communities, and laid the foundations for Hasidism as a movement. Throughout his book Jacobson presents and evaluates insights of historians and scholars, but it is also filled with personal stories about Jacobson’s own struggle with his Jewish identity and his encounter with the Baal Shem as his spiritual teacher. Both a tour de force and a labor of love, this book will quickly become the most essential work on the subject ever published in English.

At the beginning of this new millennium there is an increasing tension between the doctrines of both orthodox Christianity and Judaism, and the changing beliefs of modern society. This is particularly noticeable in such areas as the role of women, the human relationship with God, and life after death, as new ideas clash with religious dogmas that, based upon a literal acceptance of the Creation Story in Genesis, suggest the inferiority of women, the inherent sinfulness of humanity, an active Devil, and an everlasting Hell. When this ancient Hebrew Paradisial tale is considered as a myth, however, rather than historical fact, and interpreted from the perspective of what the Jewish mystics (kabbalists) say was the original intent, then all the weak and demeaning ideas are removed. When Adam, Eve, the serpent, tree, etc., are read as archetypal figures an entirely different meaning is revealed that removes the confusion which is contributing to the existing tensions in society. This understanding presents a new, constructive look at Scripture for a wide audience of both Christian and Jewish women and men as well as those who are outside those two faiths with the exception of the most orthodox Jews, and those fundamentalist Christians who insist on a literal reading of the Bible. The Female, the Tree, and Creation, 1) explains the original meaning of the Adam and Eve tale as interpreted by Jewish kabbalists, 2) traces the themes of the Creation Story (e.g. the role of women, human relationship with God, sin, evil, etc.), through Judaism and early Christianity, and their evolvement in public consciousness, orthodox religion, and other spiritual teachings, up to the present time, 3) shows the practical value of Kabbalah in helping to resolve the controversies of today, irrespective of one's cultural or religious background, and 4) interprets historical trends to logically suggest the likely direction of man's consciousness and institutionalized religion in the 21st century. 5) This manuscript is enhanced by separate Introductions from Rabbi Gelberman (New York), and Dr. Carol Parrish-Harra, President, Sancta Sophia Seminary (Oklahoma). 6) The length of the manuscript is approximately 66,000 words, and consists of six chapters and an Appendix. A condensed outline follows. Chapter One: The Significance of Myth: Uses illustrative stories to explain the value of myth, and how the Creation Story fits a mythical pattern. Chapter Two: Symbols in the Adam and Eve Story An in-depth explanation and historical background of the various symbols (Tree, Serpent, etc.) that appear in this story. Chapter Three: The Source: The source of the Creation Story symbols, particularly the female and the serpent. I.. Moses and Egypt II. Mythic Formation. How and why the Creation Story was constructed along the lines of kabbalstic mysticism to covertly deliver a message of the sacredness of the female, the divinity of humanity, and the nature of sin and evil. Chapter Four: Jewish Mysticism and the Creation Story: I. Jewish Mysticism. Explains Jewish mysticism, traces the early evolvement of Kabbalah, and explains the kabbalists concept of the Sefirot. II. The Sefirot and Creation: An in-depth explanation of Kabbalah as it relates to the Creation Story to show the original, intended meaning of this tale. Chapter Five: Sin, Guilt and Evil. I. Jewish Thought. II. Christian Thought. The why' and how' the sense of sin, guilt and evil that pervades the theological presentation of the Creation Story became a part of Jewish and Christian thought. The viewpoint of Jewish and Christian mysticism. Chapter Six: Past, Present and Future. I. Cyclical Changes . Comparison of the radical disruption of traditional religious ways that to

At the beginning of this new millennium there is an increasing tension between the doctrines of both orthodox Christianity and Judaism, and the changing beliefs of modern society. This is particularly noticeable in such areas as the role of women, the human relationship with God, and life after death, as new ideas clash with religious dogmas that, based upon a literal acceptance of the Creation Story in Genesis, suggest the inferiority of women, the inherent sinfulness of humanity, an active Devil, and an everlasting Hell. When this ancient Hebrew Paradisial tale is considered as a myth, however, rather than historical fact, and interpreted from the perspective of what the Jewish mystics (kabbalists) say was the original intent, then all the weak and demeaning ideas are removed. When Adam, Eve, the serpent, tree, etc., are read as archetypal figures an entirely different meaning is revealed that removes the confusion which is contributing to the existing tensions in society. This understanding presents a new, constructive look at Scripture for a wide audience of both Christian and Jewish women and men as well as those who are outside those two faiths with the exception of the most orthodox Jews, and those fundamentalist Christians who insist on a literal reading of the Bible. The Female, the Tree, and Creation, 1) explains the original meaning of the Adam and Eve tale as interpreted by Jewish kabbalists, 2) traces the themes of the Creation Story (e.g. the role of women, human relationship with God, sin, evil, etc.), through Judaism and early Christianity, and their evolvement in public consciousness, orthodox religion, and other spiritual teachings, up to the present time, 3) shows the practical value of Kabbalah in helping to resolve the controversies of today, irrespective of ones cultural or religious background, and 4) interprets historical trends to logically suggest the likely direction of mans consciousness and institutionalized religion in the 21st century. 5) This manuscript is enhanced by separate Introductions from Rabbi Gelberman (New York), and Dr. Carol Parrish-Harra, President, Sancta Sophia Seminary (Oklahoma). 6) The length of the manuscript is approximately 66,000 words, and consists of six chapters and an Appendix. A condensed outline follows. Chapter One: The Significance of Myth: Uses illustrative stories to explain the value of myth, and how the Creation Story fits a mythical pattern. Chapter Two: Symbols in the Adam and Eve Story An in-depth explanation and historical background of the various symbols (Tree, Serpent, etc.) that appear in this story. Chapter Three: The Source: The source of the Creation Story symbols, particularly the female and the serpent. I.. Moses and Egypt II. Mythic Formation. How and why the Creation Story was constructed along the lines of kabbalstic mysticism to covertly deliver a message of the sacredness of the female, the divinity of humanity, and the nature of sin and evil. Chapter Four: Jewish Mysticism and the Creation Story: I. Jewish Mysticism. Explains Jewish mysticism, traces the early evolvement of Kabbalah, and explains the kabbalists concept of the Sefirot. II. The Sefirot and Creation: An in-depth explanation of Kabbalah as it relates to the Creation Story to show the original, intended meaning of this tale. Chapter Five: Sin, Guilt and Evil. I. Jewish Thought. II. Christian Thought. The why and how the sense of sin, guilt and evil that pervades the theological presentation of the Creation Story became a part of Jewish and Christian thought. The viewpoint of Jewish and Christian mysticism. Chapter Six: Past, Present and Future. I. Cyclical Changes . Comparison of the radical disruption of traditional religious ways that to

This book aims to provide an understanding of "religious exoticism", and of the ways in which certain foreign religious practices and beliefs are disseminated and appropriated through contemporary practices of bricolage.