Photo by Nellie Lerman

"Jews love words, and books are a collection of the word. Hear.

And then listen and remember," writes photographer Hattie Lerman

in A Second Chance: God's Gift of Renewal.

Literary

Light

Books for the High Holidays
and beyond help enrich
the spiritual experience.

Suzanne Chessler
Special to the Jewish News

ew books this High Holiday season offer fresh approaches to religious thinking and observance
with the help of familiar and emerging authors. Many point out the relevance of ancient texts
and practices to modern living. Summaries of recent publications follow:
Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi gives advice for connecting personally with religion in Jewish With
Feeling (Riverhead hardcover, $23.95; trade paperback, $14). The rabbi uses teachings and stories from
many traditions. Referencing what he calls "The Torah of Today" and "The Torah of Tomorrow," he offers
hope for the future.
The quest for happiness is the subject of Awakening to Kabbalah: The Guiding Light of Spiritual
Fulfillment (Jewish Lights; $21.99) by Rav Michael Laitman. The author explains the teachings of this dis-
cipline and suggests ways of applying them to the outlook of individuals. Laitman brings scientific insights
into the spiritual exploration.
Art critic George Robinson presents a guide to the Hebrew Bible with Essential Torah: A Complete
Guide to the Five Books of Moses (Schocken Books; $35). Aimed at both new and experienced biblical
students, the text covers the central role of Torah in prayer and theology, historic commentaries and the
place of. women appearing in the Bible.
The ideas behind the Jewish faith and their relevance today are discussed in An Intelligent Person's
Guide to Judaism (Overlook Press; $21.95) by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author of Kosher Sex and Dating
Secrets of the Ten Commandments. The rabbi explains why he believes that Judaism holds a core of wisdom
that appeals to everyone. He also wants readers to find the optimism he believes is central to the faith.
Rabbi Alan Lew has lots of ideas about the relationship between Jewish writing and Zen meditation and
points them out in Be Still and Get Going (Little, Brown and Company; $14.95). The rabbi explores

Literary Light on page 122

September 21 2006

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