The book reveals the life of a Chasidic Jew who was unclean (a sinner) in the eyes of Torah (both Oral Law and Written Law), and by doing his "Charatah" ("Repentance") became a "New Man", a Ba'al T'shuva returning to his roots in G-d, Torah, and Yisroel. By and through the love, devotion, and with the holy outstretched hands of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, OB"M, Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, Rabbi Moshe C. Horn, and Mr. Matthew J. Ritchie, OB"M; each played a direct role in transforming the Jewish life of the author, fulfilling the ancient Jewish teachings "By saving the life of one Jew and bringing that Jew back to G-d and Torah living, you save the world."

Utilizing the teachings of both the Talmud (Oral Law), the Torah (Written Law), The Bahir and the Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Creation), the author shares his heart and soul with the reader in his climb from darkness into light, sharing his pain and suffering as an unclean Jew over two decades of his life, and how now, he strives to be a Lamplighter to the less fortunate while maintaining his ba'al t'shuva position by paying his vows to G-d for his graceful deliverance from enslavement.

Book Reviews and Testimonials

"The sefer (book) was authored by our Anash family member and committed friend, Yitzchak ben Yehuda. He shares with us his spiritual journey during the past thirty years from darkness into light of Torah living under very stressful and oppressing conditions and circumstances. As a ba'al t'shuva, he writes in piyyutim (songs/poems) Chassidic style. Utilizing many Kabbalistic terms of various manifestations within the Tree of Life and its affect upon his Neshamot (soul) and his outlook now on life. In his writings, he transforms the physical into the spiritual as he devotes himself to reveal the sparks of holiness around us, fanning his Chassidic flame of Tiferet (beauty), Hod (splendor), and Chesed (love) woven in Jacob's cord. In reading various piyyutim by Mr. Yehuda over the past several years, he has clear Daat (knowledge) in the methods of Sefer Yetzirah involving its meditative techniques, that many of his piyyutim are awe inspiring and revealing...

"Over the years, I've expressed our appreciation with that of our Mayor, Hon. Shabtay Tzur of Mr. Yehuda's devotion in his warm manner in which he helps our children. I've previously as well thanked him for his meaningful support and commitment to our children whose lives have been chnaged on his return to the place of his beloved mother's (OB'M) birth. We here at Chai see this as Mr. Yehuda's contribution towards a sacred cause, for it is immediately matched by a similar benevolence from G-d to him and us as his Ashkelon family half way around the world. The Torah principle that human initiative acts like an impulse, which calls forth a corresponding impulse from on High. the two tother constituate the complete Shekel ha-Kodesh [Holy Shekel]."

    Rabbi Mendel Liberman
    Exeutive Director
    Chai Institute

***

"With his unique vision Yehuda uses words to transport us into the heart of Jewish thought, emotions and spirituality. His journey from exodus and self enslavement will leave your mind tingling and your soul intoxicated with joyful insights into Torah living."

    Aaron Schiff
    Lubavitch-Chabad
    Krasnodor, Russia

***

"Yitzchak ben Yehuda has been unpublished for years sharing his poetic talent only with selected few. He is a strong poet in Chassidic expression. Now his autobiography reveals clear emotions and zeal of his soul in such songs as "In The Midnight Hour," "Draw Me, My Beloved," and "In Your Hands," which reveal Kabbalistic terms of ascension beyond this world into the upper worlds of spiritual enlightenment. These are daring, profound and exciting examples of a Chassidic soul "on fire" in one's faith, which goes to the heart of the journey within the thirty-two paths of Torah's eternal wisdom."

    Dr. Judah Eliezrie
    Sinai Educational Institute
    Paris, France
    (Translated from Yiddish/Hebrew terms in letter February 3, 2004)

***

"With the guiding hand of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (OB'M), Yehuda drew over two decades his poems and songs from deep within himself, revealing the window into his heart and soul, stirring emotional waters of our Jewish faith with Torah delight... Yehuda's voice in the desert is distinctive in Chassidic style and message. Shema L'Kolee Bemidbar is truly a spiritual force of enlightenment."

    Yehudi Heller
    Bnos Chabad Seminary
    Vienna, Austria
    (Translated from German and Yiddish, from letter dated February 10, 2004)

***

"A beautiful and eloquent statement of the fundamentala principles of Torah Judaism, Chassidic teachings, and one's personal relationship with G-d, Torah, and Israel. Any nonreligious person who reads Shema L'Kolee Bemidbar with an open mind and an open heart will sense and feel Yehuda's determination, passion and faith in his devotion to serve his Redeemer no matter what his circumstances. For his message is powerful, moving and wise."

    Matthew Fields
    Rabbinical Student
    Jewish Theological Seminary
    New York, NY

***

Shema L'Kolee Bemidbar -- An Inspiring Spiritual/Religious Journey Worth Taking!

Unique, inspiring, challenging, poignant and exuberant, are just of few of the adjectives that enter the reader's mind while wending his or her way through this 45-item collection of related stories, prose and Chassidic songs. Basically autobiographical, author Yitzchak ben Yehuda shares 30 years of religious and spiritual growth with his readers. In his desire to be a "new man," ben Yehuda takes the part of Torah as the ideal vehicle to orchestrate and direct his metamorphosis. It soon becomes apparent that it was to be the light of Torah that was to illuminate and lend succor to his darkened soul.

Wending our way through the book, we are shown the redemptive power of the Torah -- its life-changing, life-improving capabilities. Treating Torah as a form of revelation, the author links its truths to the observance of Passover (exodus to freedom), the giving of the Torah at the foot of Mt. Sinai, and, ultimately, the unbroken chain of Judaic belief as the Jews become G-d's chosen children, bound together as one, from generation to generation.

Ben Yehuda's enthusiasm and zeal as a Ba'al Teshuva (one who has returned) is underscored by his stated commitment to live, act, and carry out the responsibilities of his faith by deriving guidance and wisdom from the Torah. Yitzchak declares his Chassidic roots early on, dedicating the book to the Lubavitcher Rebbe (OBM). Although this is Yitzchak ben Yehuda's first book, it is apparent that the author has much insight to share, along with a message of inspiration to convey to those who are contemplating Torah-study as a spiritual path. It is hoped that this is merely the beginning of a series of welcomed and much-needed religious volumes.

    Submitted by:
    Sid Kleiner, Director
    Beth Tikvah, Naples, Florida

***

"It is the kind of book you pick up to restore and reclaim yourself, the kind to make your own passion, make you cry, inspire you to salve the wounds of our Jewish exile and celebrate like Yehuda, The Journey on the path to the Era of our Final Redemption."

    Galina Furtaeva, Civil Engineer
    Odessa, Ukraine
  

Helen Feral, author of The Answer for All Ages was raised as an evangelical fundamentalist. While searching for answers to questions parents and religious leaders could not provide, she endured abuse, family estrangement, and personal tragedy. Read how Dr. Feral overcomes her upbringing to find a different concept of a 'God' and how her exodus from doctrinal religion resembles the cultural journey of the Hebrews.

Readers will gain insight from author's upbeat comparison of her spiritual maturity with that of a great civilization. Her literary review leads to a profound link between a tribal clan and the Colonial settlers responsible for America's theocratic mindset - still in place today. Similar to her experiences, author asserts that dogmatic legislation is dividing households in the United States by fanning bitter arguments, hatred, and cultural wars. Why? Based on developmental psychology expertise, Dr. Feral documents that individuals do not mature at the same pace; thus, the immaturity of pious individuals, who interpret biblical myths to be true, is exposed.

In this account of personal development, set against the background of history, you'll find heartwarming episodes, spiritual insights, surprising twists, and hope for America to reunite and honestly restore "liberty and justice for all."

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Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, is an object of great interest in a world satiated with material possessions and struggling to find meaning. There are people who present Kabbalah as a doorway into greater detachment and others seek the ability to gain control over their lives and fortunes.

For us, the Kabbalistic tradition serves as the foundation for a rethinking of Judaism in light of the great changes taking place in human thinking and society. Because it is a record of the direct experience of the Divine by individuals and groups, it helps provide both language and concepts on which we can build, not a restored Judaism, but a renewed Judaism. We look to Kabbalah to help us redefine basic concepts, redesign individual and communal practice, while simultaneously remaining within the river of tradition we call Judaism.

Thus, a renewed Judaism anchored in mysticism, will serve as a vehicle for the transformation of the individual practitioner, the community of spiritual seekers, the Jewish people, and, hopefully the larger world. By adding this book to the many already available, we hope that we succeed in connecting the text you will read here with your feeling world. We ask to develop a spiritual imagination as you read, so that you can enter into worlds that are already deeply within us and, at the same time, beyond us. It is for this reason that we have presented the material in a kabbalistic manner, based on the deep structure of the s’firot. By doing so, we hope that the integral horizon will become a way for you to look at the world and for seeing yourself in it.

What we mean by Kabbalah goes even beyond the sense of a God in the center, surrounded by His creatures. For us, there must also be a sense of the truly monistic, that all is God, and that we are participants in the Divine life. We embrace the Jewish term for meditation, hitbon’nut, which stands for a stepping back, a looking at one’s place in the universe and becoming aware of the interrelation of all dimensions, embracing contradictions and paradoxes and the giving of assent that this is really so.

At the same time, the study of Kabbalah without connecting the ethereal realms to the world of action makes both Kabbalah and the student into disembodied ghosts. Finally, we offer you this book in the spirit of this deep teaching. In the k’dushah / sanctification prayer in the musaf / additional service on Shabbat and holy days, we recite the question, ”Ayei m’kom k’vodo / Where is the place of God’s glory?” It is also possible to read this as a response. “Ayei / Where is,” is the place of God’s glory. The urge to search and look for God, that very search is the place of God’s glory.

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I began this work four years ago, with no intention to publish it, only to satisfy my desire to understand the "Greater Plan". This work is a collection of notes from conversations, group discussions, books and the internet. After sharing these notes with friends, they urged me to publish them. The years have passed and my desire to share this knowledge on a broader scale has compelled me ot publish this work. if this work challenges your beliefs or inspires a greater awareness in your heart and brings you closer to "The Light", then my work is done.

"The recent scandals rocking the Catholic Church have caused many to wonder what else is hidden behind their veil of secrecy," says Luis Fernando Gutierrez, author of WHEN THE EXTREME RIGHT IS EXTREMELY WRONG. "My book is a call to investigate the likelihood that much of what has been handed down from one generation to the next has been a deception."

WHEN THE EXTREME RIGHT IS EXTREMELY WRONG is a timely book for those who enjoy a liberal perspective on the religious and political issues of today. Gutierrez assimilates delicate topics from a not-so-conventional point of view: extremist ideologies, particularly those of the right; racism and discrimination; Hollywood and the decadence of America; pros and cons of the feminist movement; abortion; the 'war' against drugs; homosexuals; Euro-American politics, the New World Order and the number 666, to mention a few.

WHEN THE EXTREME RIGHT IS EXTREMELY WRONG asks whether it is possible that Rome's traditions and customs are diametrically opposed to the Bible, and what will Rome's geopolitical position be after she is revived from her present critical state? "Does the rebirth of the extreme right on a global scale pose a serious threat for the masses?" asks Gutierrez.

Luis Fernando Gutierrez is a Biblical analyst, legal assistant and author. He is sure his book will bring a series of vitally important messages for humanity.

Luis Fernando Gutierrez currently resides in Tampa, Florida.

Copyright 2002

Reb Zalman turns to the implications of his reworking of Jewish mysticism. In previous books, he outlined his belief system using the kabbalistic image of the Ten S'firot, reframed the Lurianic concept of the breaking of the vessels, and argued for the continued centrality of a messianic teleology in Judaism. Now, he outlines how this new mystical vision can be applied to Halachah, the expression of vision in the details of living. Integral Halachah "transcends and includes," maintaining continuity with the past and providing flexibility for the present. This book is torah she-b'al peh/oral teaching, allowing for update and revision.

I deal with the rubble of the holocaust, so please don't expect order and precision. Rather, join me in relating to ancient questions needing new answers in this time of paradigm shift. How do we find meaning by continuing to be Jews? How do we connect to joy, to purpose, and why should we want to within a Jewish context, if it has been the cause of so much pain?

The way I can answer these questions is by creating a new, transcending, Judaism which honors the past and goes beyond it. Our practice must reference the larger purpose of the Jewish people in the world, our commitment to God and to what we call tikkun olam, to being agents of redemption. We now also know that we are not alone in this commitment, but part of something greater, a sharing with other people and paths. (Reb Zalman)

"JEWISH ORIGINS" opens: The seemingly eternal conflict of Israel v Palestine feeds from "the chosen people" to "the promised land" of the Old Testament biblical history. Its claim has been asserted across some three thousand years. What is its substance?

The Old Testament was written as an historical, mythological work of the creation of mankind, and within 2,000 years from Adam, Abraham was being recruited by a god to breed an especial nation of priests, working in perpetuity from the land of Canaan = (roughly) Palestine, to convert the peoples of the world to a new religion and improved earthly relationships - ethical monotheism. A noble dream, indeed. The Old Testament largely being composed to this intent.

It was necessary, of course, to study many consecutive chapters of the Books of the Old Testament. The trend of the stories, with all of the mythology and complexities, appeared to be quite different from those presented by the various clergy, congregations, and general belief. Upon reflection, however, it is probably due to the clergy and lay members of congregations choosing a couple or so verses here-and-there, on many occasions, about which to form sermons or talking points. Such browsing is inadequate to contemplate the overall picture from the storylines. It is the limitations from that type of browsing that I have overcome, and by doing so have presented a quite different and proper version of that history.

The change of circumstances have been proven from material within the Old Testament itself. In its doing much more material has been discussed and commented upon. It was "the chosen people" to "the promised land" which first attracted me interest, and it proved to be a subject which should have been studied and discussed in depth long, long ago by responsible others.

Translated from the Hebrew, this book details the life, times, and teachings of Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Pshis'cha (1765-1827). He lived during a time of great political instability and upheaval in Polan: the three partitions of Poland; the 1808 invasion of Napoleon's army' and the weakening of central government control. All these factors, directly and indirectly, adversely affected the lives of Polish Jewry.

Rabbi Simcha Bunim was a remarkably independent-minded, worldly hasidic master. Unlike the majority of the Polish-Jewish population, he spend time in Western Europe, mastered German and Italian, and wore European clothing even when in the courts of other tsadikim. He earned a living as a pharmacist, which was unheard of among the hasidim of that time. Rabbi Simcha Bunim's emphasis on individual responsibility for the perfection of one's character traits and his teaching of personal redemption hugely challenged and threatened populist hasidism. This conflict culminated in the famous confrontation which occurred at the wedding of a grandchild of Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, in Ostila.

The depth and pruity of Rabbi Simcha Bunim's soul becomes apparent in his essays and parables. As his intelligence, wit, and devotion emerge, out relationship with him deepens and we begin to feel that we know him more intimately. The hasidic tales indicate his depth of imagination and his inderstanding of the human dilemma. Through some of his disciples, such as Rabbi Menachem Mendle of Kotsk, Rabbi Yitschak Meir of Ger, Rabbi Hanoc of Alexander, and Rabbi Moreachai Yosef of Izbitsa, his legacy endures to this very day.

This book is a combined fictional novel and factual documentary. The novel depicts two Jewish teenagers who face life-threatening experiences. Their intense infatuation is tempered by the unwavering love of a Jewish father steeped in the traditions of the Great Sanhedrin.

The factual elements primarily explore the relationship between the Jewish Calendar and the entire visitation of Yeshua (Jesus) the Jewish Messiah on this earth. The term "Forty-Two" in the title refers to the 3½-year time-span of Jesus' ministry, while "Ten Toes" refers to prophetic views of the "end-time."

Few would read a book containing only facts and statistics, so the author combined credible fictional narratives with actual events in the New Testament, and supported them with extensive documentation. Long held "Church" traditions are replaced by Jewish first-century alternatives. Of special interest is the manner in which the Jewish Exodus Calendar, historic facts and the many prophecies given in the Tanakh (Old Testament) bring unanimity to the Jewish Festivals. The Jewish Calendar is revealed as prophetically perfect, and therefore superior to the recently extolled Mayan calendar.

The reader is encouraged to read the book either as a novel or for research and analysis. Most readers will find it rewarding to combine the two. This book will inform, inspire, or possibly agitate the reader, whether he or she is a Torah Jew, a Messianic Believer, or an Atheist.

A Truly All-American Renaissance Prophet Even without any actual historical references, Lamah contends that the contents of this narrative is a true story in reality. And after all, what is reality? This poignant book is, in essence, a story that is all about the power and significance of love. It begins at the closing years of the 18th century and has its final installment of inspirational spiritual muse manifested during the early to mid-19th Century. The source of this loving tale is an earthbound disembodied soul of unprecedented spiritual substance, who remained in spirit close to the geographic origins of this prophetic story until the end of the 20th Century. It was then that several conspiring, sometimes tragic circumstances brought together two initiate, spiritually gifted Medicine Men whose lives in this Garden of Eden were necessarily separated by the passage of more than a hundred years. They would dedicate their modest lives to the healing of others’ spirits through that immutable power of love, a love that was and should always remain necessarily unconditional, and always boundless.

A Truly All-American Renaissance Prophet Even without any actual historical references, Lamah contends that the contents of this narrative is a true story in reality. And after all, what is reality? This poignant book is, in essence, a story that is all about the power and significance of love. It begins at the closing years of the 18th century and has its final installment of inspirational spiritual muse manifested during the early to mid-19th Century. The source of this loving tale is an earthbound disembodied soul of unprecedented spiritual substance, who remained in spirit close to the geographic origins of this prophetic story until the end of the 20th Century. It was then that several conspiring, sometimes tragic circumstances brought together two initiate, spiritually gifted Medicine Men whose lives in this Garden of Eden were necessarily separated by the passage of more than a hundred years. They would dedicate their modest lives to the healing of others’ spirits through that immutable power of love, a love that was and should always remain necessarily unconditional, and always boundless.

A Truly All-American Renaissance Prophet Even without any actual historical references, Lamah contends that the contents of this narrative is a true story in reality. And after all, what is reality? This poignant book is, in essence, a story that is all about the power and significance of love. It begins at the closing years of the 18th century and has its final installment of inspirational spiritual muse manifested during the early to mid-19th Century. The source of this loving tale is an earthbound disembodied soul of unprecedented spiritual substance, who remained in spirit close to the geographic origins of this prophetic story until the end of the 20th Century. It was then that several conspiring, sometimes tragic circumstances brought together two initiate, spiritually gifted Medicine Men whose lives in this Garden of Eden were necessarily separated by the passage of more than a hundred years. They would dedicate their modest lives to the healing of others’ spirits through that immutable power of love, a love that was and should always remain necessarily unconditional, and always boundless.

Explore the background of one of world’s classic religious and ethnic communities, the Jewish community, in (Yudayakyou no shoukai – An Introduction to Judaism). An interesting and informative book, it examines beliefs, festivals and life cycle events in a simply explained manner. Yudayakyou no shoukai – An Introduction to Judaism - is for anyone interested in Judaism or the general reader wanting to know more about world faiths. Written in Japanese, it is also suitable for students of the language, with valuable kanji practice, vocabulary building and advanced grammar. Its length encourages accessibility for learners. With accompanying illustrations, Yudayakyou no shoukai – An Introduction to Judaism - offers Japanese native speaker and student alike, a means of increased learning and understanding.

Dr. Sigmund Freud founder of psychoanalysis and an arch-secularist, would be amazed that his discipline could contribute to a deeper understanding of the Torah. Dr. Skolnick through her training in psychoanalysis has succeeded in doing so in this work. She has applied some of Freud’s findings, particularly with regard to dream interpretation and the workings of the unconscious in order to penetrate into the psyches of the patriarchs and matriarchs and into the unique personality of Moses. Through her psychological insights into seminal events, Dr. Skolnick discovers developmental patterns emerging among the Israelites, not unlike the stages of psychological development observed in the maturation process of the individual. By illustrating insights with corroborating experiences from her private practice, she has convincingly demonstrated that the Bible and psychoanalysis are compatible, thereby making the Torah more accessible to readers of all ages and religious persuasions. By linking her observations to the synagogue’s weekly Sabbath cycle of Torah readings, one has here a yearly Bible study forum for family and group discussions. Dr. Skolnick’s succinct summaries of the weekly Torah readings, followed by her insightful psychological commentaries will hopefully lead the reader to search for one’s own path leading to greater maturity.

Israel is probably the most confusing country in the world. Just about every aspect of life here is paradoxical. Israel is supposedly a Jewish country the way Thailand is Buddhist and Pakistan is Islamic. However, secularism prevails and most Israelis identify as Westerners in every way. Despite an ongoing Intifada (war) and the 2006 mini-war with the Lebanon-based Hizbullah guerilla army, the economy, led by the high tech sector, keeps growing by about 5% a year. On the other hand: corrupt politicians, pockets of poverty, plenty of crime, a deep rich-poor divide, strikes, scandals and governmental waste contribute to the impression that Israel is actually a Third World country in disguise. Israel is a nation under constant attack but everyday life is quite peaceful despite the tension. This is a land that is literally in the East but belongs to the Western world. Life here may be stressful, but the talent to overcome obstacles and the drive to succeed is great. Isreal in Reality is an attempt to explain the inherent contradictions of a complex nation-state whose five or more component populations disagree on almost every issue. Based on my thirty-eight years inside the Israeli melting pot, this book offers unconventional insights into the existential problems Israelis wrestle with every day.