Torah Studies: Discourses

Rating:
Summary: basically worthwhile but a bit lifeless
Review: This book is a collection of d'var Torahs (written sermons, essentially), one for each of the year's Torah portions - with a heavy slant towards very traditional Midrashic interpretations but an equally heavy mystical (as opposed to historical) bent. The book seems learned but seems a little dry and lifeless, as if it was written by a committee of rabbis rather than by one - and given that English was not the Rebbe's first language I suspect this was in fact the case.

Rating:
Summary: Torah is revealed wisdom
Review: Torah is revealed wisdom and as such it must be revealed or received. We can pass along knowledge but true wisdom must be received. There is a word in the Jewish tradition for the receiving of this revealed wisdom from Torah -- it is Kabbalah.

This one book by Rabbi Menachem Schneerson is full of Kabbalah and gems of Torah. Rabbi Schneerson was a master teacher. Teachings such as "faith begins where understanding ends" and "religious life is not a matter of suddenly arriving, but of constantly journeying" are explained from the Jewish wisdom tradition (Kabbalah).

The weekly Torah portion doesn't change. We change and can receive from Rabbi Schneerson's inspired teachings. This collection was assembled from teachings toward the end of the Rebbe's life and is filled with wisdom from experience.

If I have to name one book of mysticism that inspired me most - it would be this book.