BEYOND ROUTINE: Turning Ritual Into Meaningful Jewish Practice
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BEYOND ROUTINE: Turning Ritual Into Meaningful Jewish Practice
By Rabbi Yehoshua C. Grunstein
Hardcover, 362 pages
Urim Publications, 2018
ISBN: 978-160-280-304-6
Beyond Routine addresses the routine commandments and rituals in Judaism and explains how they can become more meaningful. Judaism is filled with many customs, such as shaking the four species on Sukkot or lighting candles to welcome the Sabbath. Rabbi Grunstein noticed that while many Jews know the "how" of performing these mitzvot, they do not understand how these mitzvot can elevate their own level of holiness. Looking at these rituals in this light, Beyond Routine: Turning Ritual into Meaningful Jewish Practice addresses questions such as: How is each custom significant? What emotions should one have while and after performing the commandment? How can a technical observance actually influence a person? It is the goal and hope that the reader will gain an understanding of the mitzvot themselves, and perform them with greater appreciation and personal meaning.
About the Author:
Formerly the Rabbi of the Beth Israel Synagogue in Halifax, Canada, Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein serves as Director of Training and Placement at the Straus-Amiel and Beren-Amiel Institute of Ohr Torah Stone, which trains, places, and offers ongoing support to a vibrant cadre of spiritual leaders who serve the Jewish world around the globe, to promote a Judaism based on Halacha, loving-kindness, professionalism and unity. Rabbi Grunstein also serves as an administrator of the rabbinical court for conversions, located in Gush Etzion, and is part of the founding faculty of the English speaking Kollel of Efrat. An experienced rabbi, writer, and popular lecturer in Israel and around the world, he is the author of Daven Your Age - An Adult Journey through the Daily Prayer Service (Gefen), and has over 1,000 recorded classes online in both Hebrew and English.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Tefillin: A Story of the Hand and Heart
Laining: Learning and Experiencing the Torah
Part I: Shabbat
Shabbat: Begins on Friday?
Make a Shabbos: Create a Day of Rest
Shabbat: The Fusion of Logic and Surrender
Vayechulu: Repeat it Thrice
Three Shabbatot - Each Week?
Not Petitioning G-d on Shabbat: Relishing in What Is
The Prohibitions of Shabbat: Appreciate what You Have When You Lack
Part II: Holiday Season: From the Month of Elul to Routine LifeHavdalah: The Sixth Sense of a Jew
Slichot: Forgive and Be Forgiven; Let it Slide and G-d Will TooThe Shofar: A Slight TurnRosh Hashanah: An Emotional Roller-CoasterIs the Fast of Gedalya During the Ten days of Repentance by Chance?Yom Kippur: Me and UsYom Kippur: A Day of Pure UnitySukkot: The Global and the ParticularThe Sukkah: The Holiday and Hut of ProportionHoshana Raba: Listen, The Final Mitzvah of the Holiday SeasonShmini-Atzeret/Simchat Torah: Serving G-d Without the Training Wheels
Part III: The Rabbinic Season: From Chanukah to Purim
Chanukah: Not just for the EliteThe Four Minor Fast Days: Mourning for What Was, Mourning for What Is!Purim and Megillah Reading: Jubilation and FearGetting "High" on Purim: A Thriller versus Happiness
Part IV: From Pesach to Shavuot
"In every generation one must see oneself as if they left Egypt": But I Never Visited Egypt!Matzah, Post Seder: Transforming a Haven to a Heavenly FulfilmentSefirat HaOmer: From Barley to WheatContemporary Sefira: When will it be Happy Again?Just One Day, or Two, of Shavuot?
Part V: Living Without a Temple
Tisha B'av: Mourning Living as ifPost Tisha B'av: Mourning that Never EndsRosh Chodesh: Something is Missing