The Way Into

by Kushner, Lawrence

• ISBN13: 9781580232005
• ISBN10: 1580232000
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub

Summary

For everyone who wants to understand the concepts of Jewish mysticism, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism, and allows readers to interact directly with the sacred mystical texts of the Jewish tradition. Allows readers to experience and understand mysticism's inexpressible reverence before the awe and mystery of creation, and celebrate this rich tradition's quest to transform ordinary reality into holiness. Lawrence Kushner is widely regarded as one of the most creative spiritual writers in America. A frequent commentator on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and the author of several awad-winning books, Kushner is one of the most sought-after speakers on the topic of spiritual renewal today. With over 300,000 copies of his books for adults and children in print in seven languages, Kushner's writing resonates with people of all faiths and backgrounds. Spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El in Sudbury, Massachusetts, for over twenty-five years, Kushner is now Emanu-El scholar at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, and adjunct professor at Hebrew Union College -- Jewish Institute of Religion.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction	1	(8)
Part One
Presence	9	(8)
God's presence is the fullness of all the world
The power of the Creator within each created thing
There is no place without God's presence
The light of the Divine Presence is everywhere
Nothing	17	(18)
My help will come from Nothing
Every moment God sustains all creation!
God is God and there is nothing else
Upper unity, lower unity
Something from Nothing
Attaining the level of Nothingness
Name	35	(16)
One Without End
The Name of Being, the Ineffable Name
The entire Torah is composed of Names of God
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth
Part Two
Truth	51	(20)
Each day the Torah calls us in love
The whole world is made of letters
God created the world with the Torah
The sound of almost breathing
How to say (your own) Torah
Organism	71	(16)
The inverted tree
Sefirot
The worlds of separation and unity
Any Sof withdrew itself
I have created, I have formed, I have even made
Those who walk within rivers of fire
Consciousness	87	(20)
Hidden light
The business with Ezekiel's chariot
The four who entered the orchard
The other side
I will surely hide My face
The secret wisdom of Kabbalah
Part Three
Person	107	(12)
Self
No two human beings are alike
Returning to your source
Descent for the sake of ascent
Self-annihilation
A human being who contains all creation
Deed	119	(18)
Restoring the universe
Unio Mystica
For the sake of unifying God
Awakening below causes awakening on high
Our service fulfills a cosmic need
To sense the sacred
Yearning	137	(20)
It's all from the One of Blessing
I have set the Lord before me continually
Every single utterance is an entire universe
Rapture
The time of the Messiah
Shabbat: A taste of the world to come
You shall be holy
Epilogue	157	(8)
Notes	165	(4)
Glossary	169	(4)
Suggestions for Further Reading	173	(4)
Index	177	(16)
About Jewish Lights Publishing	193