Category Books

Storytelling & Spirituality In »

Authors: Yitzhak Buxbaum
ISBN-13: 9781568211732, ISBN-10: 1568211732
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Aronson, Jason Inc.
Date Published: May 2005
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Yitzhak Buxbaum

Book Synopsis

In explanation and by example, the author conveys the integral role of storytelling in the transmission of tradition, particularly the Hassidic lore. Buxbaum discusses the traditional opposition to storytelling in the non-Hassidic world, but the major part of the book extols the magic of the Hassidic tale.

Booknews

Shows how storytelling has always been an important part of Judaism and how Hasidism has revived it in recent centuries so that it is now regarded as a holy activity equal to Torah study and prayer. The stories, many about hasidic saints, are mystical as well as inspirational. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

	Dedication and Acknowledgments
	Introduction: Storytelling and Spirituality
Pt. I	Storytelling in Hasidism
1	What Made Hasidic Storytelling Different?	5
2	Hasidic Praise of Stories and Storytelling	9
3	The First Hasidic Storyteller: The Baal Shem Tov	17
4	The Besht's Stories	23
5	The Besht's Use of Secular Tales	27
6	The Besht's Storyteller Disciple	33
7	Storytelling in Hasidic Life	41
8	An Established Place in Hasidism: The Mitzvah of Storytelling	49
9	Drawing People to God through Storytelling	59
10	Traditional Opposition to Storytelling: Stories versus Teaching	67
11	Scriptural Support for Storytelling	75
12	Storytelling among the Misnagdim and Non-hasidim	83
Pt. II	Hasidic Teaching about the Methods and Practices of Storytelling
13	Deriving Lessons from Stories	95
14	How to Tell, How to Listen	109
15	Hearing the Hints in Stories	117
16	Miracle Stories: What to Believe	125
17	Different Story Versions: Issues of Truth and Falsehood	137
18	How Rebbes Use Stories	145
19	An Exceptional Case: Rabbi Nahman of Bratzlav	157
Pt. III	Hasidic Teaching about the Benefits of Storytelling
20	Stories Save	173
21	Stories Save - Continued	187
22	Messiah	203
	Afterword: Applications for Today	209
	Notes	213
	Glossary	233
	Bibliography	237
	Credits	243
	Stories and Parables Index	245
	General Index	247