cover image Spiritual Judaism: Restoring Heart and Soul to Jewish Life

Spiritual Judaism: Restoring Heart and Soul to Jewish Life

David S. Ariel. Hyperion Books, $29.95 (336pp) ISBN 978-0-7868-6306-8

According to Ariel (What Do Jews Believe?), many Jews are alienated from their faith and find it difficult to incorporate their Jewish heritage into everyday life. While Jewish spirituality follows an inward path, Ariel contends, the externals of the Jewish traditions like scripture and ritual can be made a part of daily life. For example, Ariel argues that we can connect our own personal spirituality to the Torah. The voice of God resides in the sacred texts of Judaism, and we can become an ear that hears what the universe is saying to us. Ariel also describes the stages of human development as steps on the way to growing into the image of God. The author argues that the best way for alienated Jews to reclaim the fire of their traditions is for Jewish congregations to study and to mature together in their spiritual journey. (Sept.)