Pebbles of Wisdom From Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: Collected and with Notes by Arthur Kurzweil

385 Pages·2016·1.77 MB·English

by  Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz

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Pebbles
of
WISDOM
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Other Books from Jossey-Bass by Rabbi Adin
Steinsaltz
The Miracle of the Seventh Day: A Guide to the Spiritual Meaning,
Significance, and Weekly Practice of the Jewish Sabbath (2003)
Opening the Tanya: Discovering the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a
Classic Work of Kabbalah (2003)
Learning from the Tanya: Volume Two in the Definitive Commentary on
the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a Classic Work of Kabbalah (2005)
We Jews: Who Are We and What Should We Do? (2005)
Understanding the Tanya: Volume Three in the Definitive Commentary
on a Classic Work of Kabbalah by the World’s Foremost Authority (2007)
Other Books from Jossey-Bass by Arthur Kurzweil
Best Jewish Writing 2003
From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy
and Family History (2004)
On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz: 25 Years of Pre-Dawn Car Trips,
Mind-Blowing Encounters, and Inspiring Conversations with a Man of
Wisdom (2006)
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Pebbles
of
WISDOM
from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
e E
COLLECTED and with NOTES by
Arthur Kurzweil
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Copyright © 2009 by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz and Arthur Kurzweil.
All rights reserved.
Published by Jossey-Bass
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989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741—www.josseybass.com
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Readers should be aware that Internet Web sites offered as citations and/or sources for
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and when it is read.
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their
best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect
to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any
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may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kurzweil, Arthur.
Pebbles of wisdom from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz / Arthur Kurzweil, Adin Steinsaltz.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-470-48592-7 (cloth)
1. Steinsaltz, Adin—Teachings. 2. Spiritual life—Judaism. 3. Jewish way of life.
I. Steinsaltz, Adin. II. Title.
BM755.S6915K88 2009
296.7—dc22
2009015720

Printed in the United States of America
first edition
HB Printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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To
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
e E
With love and devotion
arthur kurzweil
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UnderstaCndOingN GoTd’Es CNomTmSandments
e E
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xv
PART I
God 1
1 Contemplating God 3
2 The Inconceivable God 9
3 Looking for God 19
4 Knowing God 27
5 Intimacy 37
6 Faith 47
PART II
The Seeker 57
7 The Soul 59
8 Searching for One’s Purpose in Life 67
9 Spiritual Progress 77
10 Repentance 87
11 The Pursuit of Happiness 99
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pebblCeso notfe nwtissdom
PART III
The Children of Israel 105
12 What Does It Mean to Be Jewish? 107
13 The Jewish Family 117
14 The Jewish Family in Jeopardy 125
PART IV
Torah 135
15 The Nature of Torah 137
16 Torah Study 145
17 The Mitzvot: Understanding God’s Commandments 155
18 Kabbalah 165
PART V
The Trials of Life 171
19 Struggles, Battles, and Trials 173
20 Suffering 181
21 Evil 193
PART VI
Guidance 201
22 Learning and Teaching 203
23 Spiritual Direction 217
Notes
Part I 227
Part II 255
Part III 272
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