Lawrence Kushner

Using a scholarly, psychological and historical approach the author examines seven Jewish thinkers on the basic human experience, allowing the reader to study the great ones among the Rabbinic and midieval thinkers.

Finding Self, Spirituality, and Ultimate Meaning

God was in this Place & I, i Did Not Know

A Love Story

Kabbalah

A Mystical Alef-Bait (The Kushner Series)

The Book of Letters

When an ancient text containing the answer to one of the eternal questions of the heart falls into the hands of Rabbi Kalman Stern, his life is transformed by his encounter with astronomer Isabel Benveniste, but he is unable to let true love into his life until he discovers the life-altering secret of the Zohar. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.

In a book targeted to Christians, Rabbi Kushner explores Jewish spirituality and mysticism and explains some of the essential differences between Judaism and Christianity.

A Brief Introduction for Christians

Jewish Spirituality

A collection of essays which present the elements of Jewish spiritual thinking.

A Young Person's Guide to Jewish Spiritual Awareness

The Book of Miracles

Provides insights into the Jewish spiritual life including the quest for meaning, faith, identity, community, and holiness.

Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego

I'm God, You're Not

David Mamet

In the ancient Jewish practice of the kavannah (a meditation designed to focus one’s heart on its spiritual goal), Lawrence Kushner and David Mamet offer their own reactions to key verses from each week’s Torah portion, opening the biblical text to new layers of understanding. Here is a fascinating glimpse into two great minds, as each author approaches the text from his unique perspective, each seeking an understanding of the Bible’s personalities and commandments, paradoxes and ambiguities. Kushner offers his words of Torah with a conversational enthusiasm that ranges from family dynamics to the Kabbalah; Mamet challenges the reader, often beginning his comment far afield—with Freud or the American judiciary—before returning to a text now wholly reinterpreted. In the tradition of Israel as a people who wrestle with God, Kushner and Mamet grapple with the biblical text, succumbing neither to apologetics nor parochialism, asking questions without fear of the answers they may find. Over the course of a year of weekly readings, they comment on all aspects of the Bible: its richness of theme and language, its contradictions, its commandments, and its often unfathomable demands. If you are already familiar with the Bible, this book will draw you back to the text for a deeper look. If you have not yet explored the Bible in depth, Kushner and Mamet are guides of unparalleled wisdom and discernment. Five Cities of Refuge is easily accessible yet powerfully illuminating. Each week’s comments can be read in a few minutes, but they will give you something to think about all week long. Lawrence Kushner teaches and writes as the Emanu-El Scholar at The Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco. He has taught at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City and served for twenty-eight years as rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Sudbury, Massachusetts. A frequent lecturer, he is also the author of more than a dozen books on Jewish spirituality and mysticism. He lives in San Francisco. David Mamet is a Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright. He is the author of Glengarry Glen Ross, The Cryptogram, and Boston Marriage, among other plays. He has also published three novels and many screenplays, children's books, and essay collections.

Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

Five Cities of Refuge

A treasury of insight from one of the most creative spiritual thinkers in America. At once deeply human and profoundly spiritual, opens wide the gates of Jewish mysticism and spirituality, helping us peel back the layers of meaning that animate our lives.

A Lawrence Kushner Reader

Eyes Remade for Wonder

An accessible introduction to the concepts of Jewish mysticism and how they relate to our lives. Allows us to experience mysticism's inexpressible reverence before the mystery of creation and celebrate the quest to transform ordinary reality into holiness.

The Way into Jewish Mystical Tradition

Nehemiah Polen

An inspiring spiritual companion that provides fresh insights and meditations into traditional Jewish liturgy for people of all backgrounds. Brings the prayerbook to life and shows how to put more of yourself into the holy words of the Jewish tradition.

Hasidic and Mystical Reflections on Jewish Prayer

Filling Words with Light

Reverence -- Inheritance -- Responsibility -- Connection.

Sacred Stories of the Ordinary

Invisible Lines of Connection

Kerry M. Olitzky

Each entry is enhanced with background information on Chasidism, biographical and geographical information, alternative comments by other teachers, and other interesting asides that relate to the text.

A Spiritual Commentary on the Torah

Sparks Beneath the Surface

The noted spiritual teacher and author of God Was in This Place and Invisible Lines of Connection offers an incisive introduction to the ten gates of Jewish mysticism that explains how it relates to everyday life. Reprint.

Honey from the Rock

An invitation to wade into a deeper spiritual consciousness, this manual is for all spiritual travelers who would like to attempt a mystical journey today, now in a new, redesigned anniversary edition. Includes a new Preface by the author.

The River of Light

In a daring blend of scholarship, imagination, psychology and history, Lawrence Kushner gathers an inspiring range of interpretations of Genesis 28:16 given by sages, what each discovered about God's Self and what we can learn about ourselves as we ascend and descend Jacob's ladder. A 25th anniversary edition with a new preface from the author.

Finding Self, Spirituality and Ultimate Meaning

God Was in This Place & I, i Did Not Know, 25th Anniversary Edition

Gary D. Schmidt

Matthew J. Baek

While contemplating their problems in a synagogue, Jacob and David, one man rich, the other poor, come to realize their role in making miracles happen. Inspired by an ancient legend.

In God's Hands

In the incomparable manner of his award-winning "The Book of Letters: A Mystical Alphabet", Kushner now lifts up and shakes the dust off 30 primary religious words used to describe the spiritual dimension of our lives.

Talking Spiritual Life, Living Spiritual Talk

The Book of Words

In these old prayerbook-like pages you will enter a world of sacred tradition and religious feeling. Weaves Talmudic commentary, Hasidic folktales and Kabbalistic mysteries around the Hebrew alphabet to reveal each letter's special personality and meaning.

Lawrence Kushner

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