Stalking Elijah: Adventures with Today's Jewish Mystical Masters

The spiritual quest of Rodger Kamenetz through meeting with a series of non- conventional Jewish religious teachers is at the heart of this book. Kamenetz seeks the wisdom of teachers like Zalman Shlomi -Schacter, Jonathan Omer- Man, Art Green. He relates the stories of his encounters with these people. Kamenetz also tells in the work the story of Paul Wolff whose religious quest was intensified when he and his wife suffered the terrible loss of their young daughter. Kamenetz and his wife had also lost an infant, and he shows understanding for Woolf. While respecting Kamenetz for his effort to learn and understand I was slightly puzzled by the whole enterprise. Perhaps I see things too simplistically. And perhaps I have the advantage of living in Jerusalem where praying in a minyan is such a regular and ordinary experience. But I somehow do not understand why a Jewish spiritual quest does not have as central component communal prayer in a traditional way. I believe Kamenetz's quest would have been easier and in a way more successful had he simply focused on the idea that by doing mitzvot by doing the will of God one raises oneself up spiritually closer to God. I may be foolish but I do not understand why in religious terms it is necessary for a Jew to borrow from other faiths. Nonetheless Kamenetz's sincerity and his desire to learn are strong virtues which help make this work interesting and authentic.

I read this book for a class on Judaism and was simply delighted. I have a background in Buddhism and Christianity, with some exposure to Judaism. I was particularly impressed with the mystical traditions and reform efforts while retaining roots in the Jewish tradition. Christianity could benefit from similar efforts! The book is written as a story and I found it easy to follow and entertaining to read. While the differences among various Jewish belief systems was not altogether clear, many differences among and between those in the story helped to illustrate the strength of the tradition through its inclusiveness. The seder held in Dharmasala near the end of the story must have been a rather awkward experience for Kamenetz. Still, it may have opened yet another door for peace and understanding, as well as the collaboration between two peoples in exile.

I am very grateful to have read this book-- it offers me additional insights into Judaism and has enhanced my appreciation of its central tenets. The men and women visited by Rodger Kamenetz in Stalking Elijah are making great strides in reinterpeting Judaism in a more spiritual fashion. If you are looking for fresh insights into the Jewish faith, this book is for you. Of particular interest to me and perhaps to you: a stunning interpretation of the Sh'ma Yisrael, itself worth the price of the book, and an unexpected and powerful interpretation of the Passover story.Two other five star books for readers interested in Stalking Elijah: The Jew in the Lotus by the same author and David Aaron's Endless Light.

This is one of the most personal books I've ever experienced. I also read "Jew in a lotus" which is an excellent work. These books touched my soul and inspired my own learning journey.

Stalking Elijah has received the 1997 National Jewish Book Award in Jewish Thought. The citation reads, "Stalking Elijah is an insightful journey through new landscapes of Jewish practice. Profound and often raucously funny, Kamenetz's spiritual adventures take him from a poolside Kabbalah lesson in Beverly Hills to a Passover seder for Tibetan freedom. This book will inspire readers to delve into the rich mystical traditions of Judaism and to search for their own paths to Judaism.