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Title: One God Clapping: The Spiritual Path of a Zen Rabbi by Alan Lew, Sherril Jaffe ISBN: 1-56836-287-0 Publisher: Kodansha International Pub. Date: August, 1999 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.82 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Wonderful spiritual journey of a Jewish seeker, via Buddhism
Comment: Rabbi Alan Lew and his wife Sherril Jaffe share the candid story of his own personal spiritual growth in this highly readable book. From early childhood and youth in New York, to years of seeking and wandering, through his experience as a Buddhist, rebirth as a Jew, training in the rabbinate, and current position as the spiritual leader of a major Conservative congregation in San Francisco, Rabbi Lew's fascinating journey will leave you laughing and crying, at times simultaneously.
I found this book to be the closest thing to the classic "Autobiography of a Yoga" by Yogananda that I have ever read, but of course from a Jewish rather than Hindu perspective.
Never being preachy or dogmatic, Lew and Jaffe gently and delicately carry the reader through the pages of "One God Clapping" with eminent respect. There is a fresh and ingenuous quality to the writing, never contrived or manipulative, which allowed me to personally live each chapter with the authors; I literally sped through the book in a few hours, and at the end I was left wanting more. The good news is that there WILL be more awaiting us at Rabbi Lew's Jewish Meditation Center in San Francisco.
For all of those hungry to learn about Jewish spirituality, "One God Clapping", the story of a unique man's path from childhood to becoming a leader in the field, is a must read.
Rating: 5
Summary: An Uplifting Look at a Spiritual Journey
Comment: I admit that I'm biased since I have twice met Rabbi Lew when I attended religious servics at his synagogue in San Francisco. I liked Rabbi Lew's book and found his spiritual journry to be engrossing. We all have our own spiritual struggles and being able to eavesdrop on someone else's helps us focus upon our own. Rabbi Lew was raised in a secular, politically leftist household and though he retained his political liberalism, he attained spirituality and a strong belief in God, starting with a legnthy immersion into Buddhism that evolved into a return to Judaism. Rabbi Lew is not one to do things half way. He was fully immersed in his Buhdism and sort of rose in the ranks of that community. When he rediscovered Judaism, he became so immersed that, as the oldest student in his seminary class, he became the top student, totally devoting his life to his goal to become a Rabbi. He also shares his family struggles in this book. I must conclude by disagreeing with another reviewer who feels that Rabbi Lew did not illumnate his reasons for leaving Buddhism. In fact, I think he was very clear: he felt that his life was subject to a doctrine that was too dogmatic and too controlling of his individuality. At least, that's what I gleaned from my reading of the book and, the reason seemed to be rather clearly stated.
Rating: 1
Summary: Stunningly self centered!
Comment: I have never written a review before, feeling that until I became an author, I should keep quiet. However this book has moved me to reevaluate. I have never seen such a rambling, self involved, free association, represented as a "spiritual path" in all my years of reading spiritual books of many varities. The author never stops talking about himself, and a myriad of unconnected and unexplained bits of memories to mention anything of substance about ANY spiritual traditions, other than in passing. I question whether anyone so staggeringly self-involved has benefited from any "spiritual path". I wouldn't think of this as even an interesting autobiography, since it seems more a pedantic chronology of events about HIMSELF, than a celebration of the "others" that accompanied one along the journey. Perhaps good cathartic journaling for the author, but a great pretender as any sort of spiritual guide. Very disappointing! I feel I have completely wasted $16.95. For a useful and intelligent autobiographical type discussion of one's journey through religious traditions, and helpful comparisons, similarities and differences, try "The Unexpected Way" by Paul Williams; "The One Light" by Bede Griffiths, or "The Other Half Of My Soul" compiled by Beatrice Bruteau.
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Title: This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation by Alan Lew ISBN: 0316739081 Publisher: Little Brown & Company Pub. Date: September, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: The Jew in the Lotus : Poet's Re-Discovery of Jewish Identity in Buddhist India, A by Rodger Kamenetz ISBN: 0060645741 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 28 April, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist by Sylvia Boorstein ISBN: 0060609583 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 11 February, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of The Hasidic Masters by Zalman Schachter Shalomi, Nataniel M. Miles-Yepez ISBN: 0787965731 Publisher: Jossey-Bass Pub. Date: 21 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Zen Judaism : For You, A Little Enlightenment by DAVID M. BADER ISBN: 060961021X Publisher: Harmony Books Pub. Date: 13 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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