Publisher's Synopsis
Connecting to Judaism explores the Kabbalah of Jewish practice. The first three chapters provide an accessible introductory overview of the basic concepts of the theology and philosophy of Kabbalah. The chapters to follow address the kabbalistic understanding of the Sabbath, each major holiday, weddings, funerals, Jewish prayers and ritual objects and their ceremonies such as mikva, mezuzah, tefillin and shofar. The final chapter is on Kabbalah's answer to the age old philosophical question of the meaning of life. The title "Connecting to Judaism" has special meaning. To kabbalists, it connotes connecting with and receiving holiness. We can "know God" by experiencing the flow of Divine emanation, the Shefa. By understanding the Kabbalah of Jewish observance, prayer and celebration, we make Shabbat and Holidays holy. Connecting to the flows emanating from G-d enables us to discover spirituality as partners in ongoing creation of a better world. The Shefa can bring spirituality to us and give meaning to our lives.
