This issue of my newsletter is devoted to announcing my new book, connecting its theme to the Torah portion, telling you about the book and offering a discount, to you, my loyal readers. Michael (MichaelStrassfeld.com)
mjstrassfeld@gmail.com
I am pleased to announce the publication on Feb. 14th of my new book Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century
You will find that some of the ideas in this book will echo material found in the last three years of my newsletter. The book presents a more developed and comprehensive vision of a Judaism for our time. Its starting point is that the Torah is about freedom—the freedom to take the most precious gift we have been given, our lives, and live them with meaning and purpose.
This week’s Torah portion, Be-Shallah, recounts the Israelites leaving Egypt and coming to the Sea of Reeds. According to the midrash, the sea didn’t split until one Jew, Nahshon, was willing to wade into the waters. Only when the waters reached his nostrils did the sea split. In this version, you need someone brave enough to move ahead for redemption to occur.
I want to suggest a different version of this story.
The Israelites are facing the sea and look back at the approaching Egyptian army. They are paralyzed in terror. Nahshon jumps into the water and continues forward into the sea. No one moves. Nahshon’s head goes below the water. Someone yells: Save Nahshon! Now many people jump into the sea, forming a human chain that allows everyone to cross to the other side.
This is the disruption that leads to freedom that leads to life.
This is a review of the book from Publisher’s Weekly that captures my book’s purpose:
Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century
Michael Strassfeld. Ben Yehuda, $24.95 trade paper (286p)
Rabbi Strassfeld calls for a seismic shift in Jewish practice in this thought-provoking treatise. In the face of such modern challenges as rising individualism and fracturing Jewish movements, he proposes a “radical traditionalism” that “draws on both rabbinic and mystical traditions.” Mining his own spiritual evolution, Strassfeld outlines the 11 principles this form of Judaism is based on, each based in the Jewish value of freedom. Among them are the “freedom of awareness,” which links the concept of kavanah (intention) with 21st-century ideas of mindfulness, and the “freedom of social justice,” which encourages working for the benefit of others, especially the most vulnerable. For each principle, Strassfeld offers ways to make rituals more meaningful. Strassfeld’s vision of Judaism is compassionate and flexible. Those looking to revitalize their Jewish identity should pick this up.
A blurb about the book I can’t remember the last time I felt pulled to underline a book constantly as I was reading it, but “Judaism Disrupted” is exactly that intellectual, spiritual and personal adventure. You will find yourself nodding, wrestling, and hoping to hold on to so many of its ideas and challenges. Rabbi Strassfeld reframes a Torah that demands breakage, reimagination, and ownership. Not only did I learn so much from Strassfeld’s 11 principles; I was changed by them.
SPECIAL OFFER:
In appreciation of your subscribing to my newsletter, you can pre-order the book from the publisher at 15% off the price by using this link https://www.benyehudapress.com/JD23 .
This offer is only good until Feb. 13th.
You can also order the book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc.
