Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of Hasidic Masters








Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi is one of the seminal figures in the Jewish Renewal movement; he is highly respected, has many students and followers, and has had a deep impact on contemporary Judaism.

Unfortunately, he can’t write well, and his books have never had the influence that he has  had as a teacher and leader.  This is certainly the case with Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of Hasidic Masters.  The book lacks a central focus and  Rabbi Zalman’s style is conversational and unfocused.  This often makes for flat reading.

Yet the content is wonderful.  Rabbi Zalman takes the reader through the history of the Hasidic movement, with an emphasis on his own religious background in Chabad.  He does take a detour in Bratslaver Hasidism toward the end.

So, if one reads this book for content, and not style and flow, there are rich teachings here for the patient at heart.

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