A Book of Life : Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice

Rating:
Summary: Serious Seeker's Guide
Review: I am awed by the depth of this book.This is a book for the serious seeker.It presents the traditional thinking from the Torah, Midrashim and Talmud,but it has the added spiritual dimension which has become so important in our contemporary Jewish life.
The author takes us through the day from dawn to dusk,through the three paths of Judaism,Torah study,prayer and the path of loving kindness.giving us the traditional laws and customs for each of these and also the method by which to enhance these practices.He does the same for the holidays and also the Jewish life cycle.
Just as Strassfeld's editorship of the Jewish Catalogues,met the needs of the Jewish people of the seventiles."A Book of Life

Rating:
Summary: a must read!
Review: This is an extraordinarily wise & valuable book, filled with learning, inspiration & holiness.

The book's scope is amazing in 2 ways. First Strassfeld addresses a large spectrum of key topics: daily & major life events, festivals, & the priorities of Torah, prayer, and loving-kindness. Second, he grounds these topics in the deepest roots of the tradition, while discussing them as evolving processes. It is a rare book that can make excerpts from key traditional sources so available & alive. At the same time, we learn how to make ancient & contemporary rituals & practices truly more alive at a personal level.

For exampple, the chapter on "the end of the day" has a lovely explanation of traditional observances & then offers several creative suggestions for reconnecting with and even uplifting one's soul at night. Another section tackles difficult challenges such as illness & divorce & fortifies us with traditional practices coupled with contemporary possibilities for their use.

This book is life-wise. It is greatly enhanced by the personal statements & life experiences the author chose to include--he is most present in the book.

All of us who years ago read and grew with the Strassfeld Jewish Catalog series of books now can continue our journeys with renewed motivation from this author's latest book. It is truly a gift!

Rating:
Summary: Less than it promises
Review: This is, quite simply, a wonderful, wonderful book. You might think that a book subtitled "Judaism as a Spiritual Practice" might focus dogmatically on the narrow realm of "how can everything be relevant for me", but the author--steeped in knowledge of traditional sources and practices AND himself a spiritual seeker and teacher--has produced a book which is eminently readable, is full of both information and inspiration, and successfully weaves together ancient and contemporary insights. His gentle teaching approach is very accessible and "real".

Whether you are long-time committed Jew who is looking for "something more"--a way of finding more meaning in the Jewish life you are living--or someone who is looking for a way into a deeper Jewish life that is both authentic and personal, this book is for you. (It is also a great book for people simply looking to learn about the wide range of Jewish practice--throughout the day, the year, and the lifetime--including both traditional and contemporary perspectives.) I know of no other book quite like it. I am so glad I bought it!

Rating:
Summary: The book a lot of us have been waiting for!
Review: This is, quite simply, a wonderful, wonderful book. You might think that a book subtitled "Judaism as a Spiritual Practice" might focus dogmatically on the narrow realm of "how can everything be relevant for me", but the author--steeped in knowledge of traditional sources and practices AND himself a spiritual seeker and teacher--has produced a book which is eminently readable, is full of both information and inspiration, and successfully weaves together ancient and contemporary insights. His gentle teaching approach is very accessible and "real".

Whether you are long-time committed Jew who is looking for "something more"--a way of finding more meaning in the Jewish life you are living--or someone who is looking for a way into a deeper Jewish life that is both authentic and personal, this book is for you. (It is also a great book for people simply looking to learn about the wide range of Jewish practice--throughout the day, the year, and the lifetime--including both traditional and contemporary perspectives.) I know of no other book quite like it. I am so glad I bought it!

Rating:
Summary: Less than it promises
Review: Though "A Book of Life" promises a new approach to invest the spiritual into routine Judaism, it ends up being just another "Intro to Judaism" book. The opening chapters on daily prayer routines are good, but later chapters on life cycles and holidays have been done better by others (including Strassfeld himself in an earlier book on the holidays).