Table of Contents

Foreword by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner ix
Introduction xi


Whisper Language 1
Intention: Davening with Kavanah 5
Niggun! A Soul in Song 28
Davening in the Four Worlds: A Deep Structure of Prayer 58
Following the Map: A Traveler's Guide 85
At Home in Shul: The Synagogue Experience 136
Who Am I to Give Blessings? 155
Advanced Practice: Prolonged Prayer 162


Notes 189
Acknowledgments 195
Glossary 199

About the Author

Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, the inspiration of the Jewish Renewal movement, is widely recognised as one of the most important Jewish spiritual teachers of our time. Professor emeritus at Temple University, he is the author of First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit; From Age-ing to Sage-ing and Wrapped in a Holy Flame, among other books. Joel Segel, editor of many books on spirituality, is coauthor (with Reb Zalman) of Jewish with Feeling: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Practice. Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, author, lecturer and spiritual leader, is author of Honey from the Rock, Invisible Lines of Connection and many other acclaimed books.

Reviews

This book is about "Davening," the Yiddish word for prayer.

Even people who insist that prayer is an intellectual process rather than an emotional, spiritual and religious experience, as demonstrated by Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi in this book, will enjoy reading his book. Also, even non-Jews will enjoy and benefit from the rabbi's views. Why?

First, the book is a delight to read. The rabbi tells stories on virtually every page, about himself, Chabad Chasidim and clever and thought provoking parables. Among many other things, the rabbi tells about kavanah, praying with focus, intention and meaning. He shows how to pray from the heart, rather than from the mind. Celebrating the Sabbath or holiday with kavanah, for example, gives the day a richer meaning.

He speaks also about the niggun, the melody, the wordless prayer, tunes Hasidim sing to get closer to God. Some have words and some do not. He tells how he used a niggun to get in the mood for prayer and how once he came so close to God by singing a niggun that he felt no need to continue with the formal prayers.

He tells about the mystical notion of God and how prayer fits into this notion. He gives readers "a traveler's guide" through the prayers, during which he describes many prayers and shows readers their inner meaning. He also tells how people can feel "at home in Shul," what they should do to feel what they are experiencing and how to get the most out of the experience.
*The Jewish Eye*