by Rabbi Rami Shapiro (Author)
Spiritual teacher, writer, rabbi, and poet, Rami Shapiro has taught thousands of people in workshops across North America for a quarter century. His books have sold in the hundreds of thousands. But before he did any of those things he was writing poems, psalms, and prayers that were anthologized in the Jewish siddurim of several different denominations. He did most of this work while he was a pulpit rabbi in Florida. Still today, every week at services, Jews in the Reform and Reconstructionist movements read Rami's verse in their prayer books. Now, those spiritual teachings have been gathered into one volume, incorporating all of Rami's poetic work over the course of his long and varied career. The result is startling - as if we've discovered a new spiritual teacher of great importance, all in verse.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 176
Publisher: Paraclete Press
Published: 01 Sep 2015
ISBN 10: 1612616550
ISBN 13: 9781612616551
How does one speak to a timeless God in contemporary time-centered language? How relate to ancient sacred texts containing language and concepts significantly different, and perhaps alien to the modern mindset? This is the starting point for Rami Shapiro s new book.
Shapiro is a gifted 20th/21st century poet whose love of ideas and language pervades his writings. He is also a rabbi who actively wrestles with the complex relationship between God and humans (and even more so that relationship between God and Jews and the Jewish people.) This book divides into three sections: Psalms, Poems, and then a short Parable at the conclusion.
The psalm section rewrites several of the psalter s collection including Psalms 23 and 90. Shapiro expresses much of the essence of the original psalm, yet God is more accessible, less the object of a near-powerless supplicant to an all-powerful deity.
The prayers section is patterned on the traditional order of a Jewish prayer service. Yet Shapiro adds his personal touch, universalizing their message. Rabbi David J. Zucker, PhD, BCC. (Ret.) North West Surrey Synagogue, Weybridge, Surrey, United Kingdom
How does one speak to a timeless God in contemporary time-centered language? How relate to ancient sacred texts containing language and concepts significantly different, and perhaps alien to the modern mindset? This is the starting point for Rami Shapiro's new book.
Shapiro is a gifted 20th/21st century poet whose love of ideas and language pervades his writings. He is also a rabbi who actively wrestles with the complex relationship between God and humans (and even more so that relationship between God and Jews and the Jewish people.) This book divides into three sections: Psalms, Poems, and then a short Parable at the conclusion.
The psalm section rewrites several of the psalter's collection including Psalms 23 and 90. Shapiro expresses much of the essence of the original psalm, yet God is more accessible, less the object of a near-powerless supplicant to an all-powerful deity.
The prayers section is patterned on the traditional order of a Jewish prayer service. Yet Shapiro adds his personal touch, universalizing their message.--Rabbi David J. Zucker, PhD, BCC. (Ret.) North West Surrey Synagogue, Weybridge, Surrey, United Kingdom