Treasures of the heart : holiday stories that reveal the soul of Judaism / Diane Wolksein.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wolkstein, Diane.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fasts and feasts--Judaism.

Fasts and feasts.

Bible stories, English--Old Testament.

Bible stories, English.

Talmud--Legends.

Talmud.

Genre:

Legends.

Physical Description:

xxi, 360 pages : maps ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Schocken Books, [2003]

Summary:

Treasures of the Heart is a unique rendition of stories in the Hebrew Bible that are part of the foundation of Judaism and western literature. Renowned storyteller and mythologist Diane Wolkstein seamlessly weaves oral legends into the fabric of the ancient texts, creating new stories that remain true to the spirit of their original sources. Drawing on a lifetime of study of world myths and tribal cultures, the author chooses the legends that best illuminate the text and reveal its hidden wisdom. Biblical characters such as Moses, Ruth, and Solomon -- their passions, ethical dilemmas, and changing relationships with God -- are rendered with astonishing immediacy, achieved through careful research and a storyteller's grace. Structured according to the Jewish calendar, Treasures of the Heart retells the stories that are traditionally read on each holiday. In recounting the holiday stories, Wolkstein discovers a new narrative. As the Hebrew people journey from spring to winter, from Passover to Purim, they follow a path from youth to maturity. This holiday cycle also moves from Moses, a male messenger of God, to Esther and Mordecai, a woman and a man who work together to rescue their community. Wolkstein offers a modern perspective by highlighting the role of female characters in the stories and by introducing the concept of the Shechinah, God's feminine presence on earth. The commentaries, often based on Kabbalistic thought, place each story in a historical and religious context. Treasures of the Heart presents a wealth of scholarship in a form that makes compelling reading for all students of spiritual life. In our rapidly changing world, this innovative book invites us to pause and consider the eternal questions of spiritual freedom and service to God, discipline and forgiveness, violence and compassion. Its beautifully crafted stories will provide a resource and inspiration to return to year after year.

Contents:

Passover

Exodus: I Will Become Who I Will Become 5

The Song of Songs: Take Us with You! 19

Josiah: Falling Out of God's Embrace 30

Shavuot

The Covenant: Clouds by Day, Fire by Night 45

Ruth: Where You Go, I Will Go 59

Ezekiel: The Silence That Speaks 68

Tisha B'Av

The Spies: The Land of Milk and Honey 81

Rachel and the Shechinah: Wailing, Bitter Weeping 85

Lamentations: A Wound As Great As the Sea 93

The Destruction of the Second Temple: Hardening of the Heart 96

Job: Who Feeds the Desolate Places? 102

About the Stories 116

Rosh Hashanah

Abraham and Sarah: The Birth of Isaac 125

The Binding of Isaac: God Will Provide 135

Hannah: I Asked for Him from God 140

Yom Kippur

The Holy of Holies: God's Awesome Name 161

Jonah: The Sea Stood Still 169

Sukkot

About Sukkot (including The Etrog: Our True Bounty) 182

Solomon and the Demon King: A Heart with Skill to Listen 186

Kohelet: For Everything There Is a Season 194

Simchat Torah

The Death of Moses: To Sing God's Praises 209

Joshua: We Are Witnesses 219

Genesis: Let There Be Light! 232

Hanukkah

Judith: Her Beauty Captured His Soul 247

The Maccabees: A Time of Unspeakable Horror 258

Joseph: The Meaning of Dreams Is with God 266

Purim

Esther: The Opposite Happened 293.

Notes:

Maps on lining papers.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 347-350) and index.

ISBN:

0805241442

OCLC:

50041186