Spiritual Meaning and Inspiration in Hasidic Teaching

By :  Eitan Fishbane Professor of Jewish Thought Posted On Oct 26, 2020 / 5780 | Living a Life of Meaning Monday Webinar

Part of the series, Living a Life of Meaning

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In the voluminous and rich literature of hasidic homilies from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries (in Poland, Ukraine, and beyond), we encounter a pervasive and multifaceted effort to read the Torah as a portal into the discovery of renewed spiritual meaning, the wonder and mystery of the inner life of the person, and the discovery of God and the sacred in all the elements of the world—especially in the Torah and the mitzvot.

In this session we explore several powerful examples in which hasidic spiritual masters read the Hebrew Bible figuratively in order to often playfully and brilliantly convey deep spiritual insights about the nature of life, of the world, and of God‘s immanent presence in our lives. 

With Dr. Eitan Fishbane, Associate Professor of Jewish Thought, JTS.

ABOUT THE SERIES

The disruption to our normal life, and for many, close encounters with mortality, provides an opportunity to evaluate what is truly important in our lives. Guided by JTS faculty and fellows we discuss the role of values, ethics, and Torah in the quest for a well-lived life.

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