torah and jewish spirituality 
torah and jewish spirituality
A rabbi once told
a fellow rabbi, "People aren't coming to synagogue as much these days because they're
just not spiritual!" The other rabbi answered, "You've got it all wrong! They're
not coming because they ARE spiritual! They come to synagogue looking for something uplifting and meaningful. When they don't find it, they don't come back!"
If you grew up in a community where the synagogue (or any other Jewish institution) was the last place in the world to find spirituality, putting Judaism and
anything spiritual in the same sentence might not make any sense. Today, many Jews have
been handed a Judaism that is stale, boring, irrelevant to their lives
and greatly uninspiring (sorry for the harsh words, but it's sadly
true). Not suprisingly, many Jews run far away
from anything Jewish in
search of another something that can bring them the meaning and spirituality
that they're thirsting for.
The irony of it all is that Judaism is
BURSTING with spiritual meaning and
inspiration. It's an ancient tradition that seeks to nourish our
minds, hearts, bodies and souls and bring us closer in touch with ourselves, with the people around us, with the world and with the
Creator of all life. It challenges us to live lives of the
highest moral standard, to connect with the divine
presence in all things and imbue our physical existence and all of our relationships with spiritual
awareness.
The following is a collection of online resources that can serve as a source of inspiration and learning for people from all walks of life within the greater Jewish world, regardless of affiliation or background. Use these resources to guide you on a journey of discovery of the great heights and depths of the Jewish spiritual tradition. The topics are divided into the following groups:
Jewish Spirituality : Torah and Science : Weekly Torah Portion : Suggested Reading
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810), a great-grandson of the Baal Shem tov, was a kabbalist and a mystic of the highest order, and yet at the same time was artlessly practical and down-to-earth. He told tales of princes and princesses, beggars and kings, demons and saints and he taught of the need to live with faith, honesty and simplicity. Many of his teachings also focus on the importance of being happy and finding the good in all people.
Chabad is a worldwide network of Jewish outreach and education under the leadership of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Reb Menachem Mendel Schneerson tz'l. This web site offers teachings on Torah rooted in the Chabad hasidic tradition.
A site dedicated to teaching about Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah.
The Jewish Healing Foundation is a resource and support center dedicated to recreate, develop and practice an authentic Jewish healing system based on Torah and Kabbalah.
An organization dedicated to the teaching of Judaism in a joyous, relevant, and spiritually connected way. With attention given to human living on the personal, communal and global levels, it seeks of an integrated, holistic approach to living a Torah-connected life. A quote from the web site says it all: "A world in which all people recognize and honor the divine in themselves and in others will be one of peace, harmony and true community."
THE RABBI SHLOMO CARLEBACH FOUNDATION
A site dedicated to the life and teachings of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, who traveled the world inspiring Jews with his spirit, unconditional love, hasidic teachings, stories and sweet songs.
An incredible resource for Jewish learning on a wide diversity of Jewish topics.
The Meaningful Life Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to personal, societal and global transformation through presenting the universal wisdom of the Torah as a
blueprint for life. The Center is built on the belief that life is precious and that every
individual has a unique and indispensable contribution to make, which affects everyone and everything, now
and forever.
B'OR HA'TORAH is an English-language journal for wondering Jews, scientists, artists, teachers, and students. It examines personal and intellectual concerns through the microscope and telescope of the scientist; the algorithm of the mathematician; the discourse of the philosopher; the imagery of the artist, poet, and photographer; and the tested faith and learning of the Torah observant Jew.
The
Torah Science Foundation was founded with the unique mission of creating a new
paradigm for the meeting of Divine teachings and secular knowledge.
AKIVA'S WEEKLY WORDS OF TORAH AND TIKKUN OLAM
JEWISH MEDITATION by Aryeh Kaplan
A hands-on guide to the practice of meditation that is specifically and beautifully Jewish.
TOWARD A MEANINGFUL LIFE by Simon Jacobson
"A spiritual road map for living" based on the teachings from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
HOLY BROTHER by Yitta Halberstam Mandelbaum
Soul inspiring stories about Reb Shlomo Carlebach
THE SCIENCE OF GOD by
Gerold Schroeder
Thought science had nothing to do with G-d? This book lays out the hidden and inherent connections between religion and science, focusing on topics such as: age of the universe, evolution and free will.
THE HIDDEN FACE OF GOD by
Gerold Schroeder
An in-depth look into the presence of divine wisdom in all aspects of creation, from the macro to the micro.
COMPASSION FOR HUMANITY IN THE
JEWISH TRADITION by David Sears
Teachings and quotes from various Jewish sources that reveal the Jewish value of serving and caring for all of humankind.
VISIONS OF A COMPASSIONATE
WORLD by Menachem Ekstein
A practical guide for spiritual development that addresses the whole person: mind, body and soul.
GOD IS A VERB by David Cooper
Drawing from the mystical teachings of Judaism, this book shows us how to transform the profound wisdom of our tradition into meaningful personal experiences of the divine.
7TH HEAVEN: SHABBAT WITH REBBE
NACHMAN OF BRESLOV by Moshe Mykoff
A step-by-step guide to experiencing the spiritual depths of Shabbos, based on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman.
BRESLOV
CHABAD
INNER.ORG
JEWISH HEALING
AZAMRA INSTITUTE
AISH HATORAH
MEANINGFUL LIFE CENTER
