A Mystical Haggadah: Passover Meditations, Teachings, And Tales

Book Summary

In a generation that has seen an explosion in popularity of books about mystical and meditative traditions, very little has been published about the rich and fascinating mystical traditions of the Jewish holy days. Passover, the first religious holiday of the Jewish people, particularly rewards a re-viewing from a mystical perspective. A Mystical Haggadah takes readers through the Passover ritual with Kabbalistic meditations and affirmations in a friendly, accessible format. This Haggadah also includes many Hassidic teachings and stories that have never been presented to the English reading audience. The book is especially valuable for its transliterations of all the major prayers and rituals, and is refreshing in its creative and spiritually-based adaptation and translation of the primary Haggadah text. A Mystical Haggadah is for all spiritual seekers who wish to explore this root tradition of Judaism as a ritual of cosmic importance. The book is also for Jewish seekers of all denominations who wish to explore the mystical, meditative, and empowering aspects of Jewish traditions as seen through the rich and meaningful Passover eve Seder ritual. About the Author Rabbi Eliahu Klein has taught Kabbalah, Jewish Meditation, and Hassidism for over 30 years throughout the U.S., Great Britain, and Israel. The Jewish Chaplain for San Francisco County Jails and other prisons of the State of California Department of Rehabilitation, he lives in Berkeley. Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Autobiographical Reflections 1 What Is Contained in This Haggadah? 6 2. The Ritual of Hunting for Khametz 8 The Search for Khametz 8 Burning the Khametz Ritual 11 3. The Ritual of Eruv Tavshilin 13 4. Blessing of the Candles 15 5. The Passover Seder: Fifteen Steps toward Illumination 17 Prelude to the Seder: A Hassidic Tale of Faith, Devotion, and Courage 17 THE SEDAR PLATE Step 1: Kadesh: Blessing of the First Cup 25 Step 2: Urkhatz: First Washing of the Hands 40 Step 3: Karpas: First Dipping of a Vegetable 42 Step 4: Yakhatz: Breaking the Middle Matzah-Hiding the Afikomen 45 Step 5: Magid: Telling the Exodus Story 48 The Four Questions: Mah Nishtanah 53 Step 6: Rakhtzah: Second Washing of the Hands 99 Steps 7-8: Motzi-Matzah: Blessing on the Matzah 101 Step 9: Maror: Eating Bitter Herbs 103 Step 10: Koraikh: The Ancient Matzah Sandwich 105 Step 11: Shulkhan Orekh: The Banquet 106 Step 12: Tzafune: Eating the Afikomen 108 Step 13: Baraich: After Blessing at Conclusion of Banquet 109 Step 14: Hallel: Songs of Praise 125 Step 15: Nirtzah: Concluding Prayers and Songs of Goodwill 146 Bibliography: Annotated List of Sources 173 Glossary 179 About the Author 189

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