Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism

by Gershon Winkler

A spiritual crisis sent Orthodox rabbi Gershon Winkler to remote regions of the Southwest, where he studied with Native American healers. From them he began to recover the long-lost wisdom of what he calls "Aboriginal Judaism" the religion's tribal roots. This book tracks his personal journey and draws from a dazzling mix of sources to detail the surprising connections between two seemingly unrelated religions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556434448
• ISBN13: 9781556434440
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful discussion of Shamanic Judaism: the roots and today

In the book Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism, Rabbi Gershon Winkler shows shows how Judaism considers the Earth Mother as the keeper of all the gates to mystery and all the paths to spirituality. The Jewish Shaman takes a journey in order to pass through the Veil of Illusion and learn the dance of spirit and matter. Judaism is one among the Shamanic religions of the world. Rabbi Winkler demonstrates that "Jewish spirituality has less to do with religion and more to do with direct, open, ecstatic free experience of wonderment through creation" and that the Judaic spirit path is about "the importance of the Divine experience through the magic of living in continual awe." He also shows that "while aboriginal [Shamanic] spirituality in general has been tucked safely underground for centuries, it is experiencing an unprecedented resurrection in our own time." The Jewish Shamanic tradition is about experiencing the so-called ordinary, mundane material existence as the carrier of the very mystery we expend so much of our life quest seeking in other more transcendental realms. Unknown to most, the ancient Jewish tradition teaches prolifically about the Four Directions and the medicine attributes of animals, plants,and minerals. The earth is sacred and all beings, including the stars and planets, are imbued with Divine consciousness.

Mind opening

This is an amazing book, that opens up ones mind to the root and core of Judaism. Much of what we are exposed to about this religion feels very dead, as if it has lost it's soul along the way; this book helps one connect to that soul. That soul that is waiting to be remembered.

Roots of my Roots of my Roots

I've been a student of shamanism for almost 20 years, and have recently been integrating the shamanic way of being and healing into my work as a massage therapist, and in my human relationships. In shamanic practice we've got to get our ancestors and helping spirits on board with our work in the world. My ancestors were Christian, and were highly critical of shamanic methods. Christianity is deeply rooted in Judaism, and Judaism has a rich tradition of shamanic practice which grew out of even older cultures in the world of its beginnings. Almost every theme in shamanism: journeying, divination, magic, healing, spirit helpers, ritual, mysticism, vision, prophecy and balance are alive in kabbalistic judaism. They were also alive for Jesus and his followers in his day. By connecting with the roots of my roots of my roots, I've brought everything full circle, gotten my ancestors more on board with my work, and found great peace. Magic of the Ordinary is well-grounded, intellectually respectable, inspiring and enjoyable. It is a shining jewel. Thank you Gershon Winkler!

Judaism...the next 2000 years.

Rabbi Winkler is doing an amazing thing for Judaism. If it weren't for his writings on what the "Hebrews" really were/are/could be, I think I would have simply left my Judaism behind. But I am so thankful that this scholar and spirit has done the work he has done. In this book, he shows how Judaism is full of rituals, ideas, practices, and teachings that fit under the category "shamanic." He talks about how Judaism is a path very much in touch with the natural world around us, all creatures, the heavenly bodies, etc. He discusses how the Hebrew language is one based upon a shamanic (pantheistic?) interpretation of the universe. I have studied Buddhism a lot, and shamanic traditions a little, and have always found these other traditions to be so much more grounded in real human experience than the Judaism I was raised with. What Rabbi Winkler does is show how Judaism, at its core and in its origin, was just as grounded as these other paths, just as open and responsive to human experience in all its manifestations. Rabbi Winkler is revitalizing Judaism. I highly suggest this book as well as any other by him.

Excellent!

First of all, I will say I am not Jewish. My background is Baptist. I enjoy reading books which give me a more thorough understanding of scripture, and this one does. Reading this book feels like a remembering of information I have known in my deepest heart. Winkler's explanation of scripture passages, interspersed with story and quotes from ancient rabbis is masterful and intriguing. My copy is now heavily underlined for study, and I recommend it heartily.