A few short words-repeated with passion & intention-can unlock treasure upon treasure of healing, wisdom & love
"Chant is a path for all of us who lead with our hearts, who are determined to seek out the truth that is buried deep beneath the ground of our lives, and who have made a commitment to live that truth, from moment to moment, breath to breath, 'one little bit at a time.'"
-from the Introduction
Chant is a meditative practice that fully engages the body, heart and mind, and facilitates healing and expansion of consciousness. Rabbi Shefa Gold, beloved teacher of chant, Jewish mysticism, prayer and spirituality, introduces you to this transformative spiritual practice as a way to unlock the power of sacred texts and take prayer and meditation into the delight of your life. She illuminates the usefulness, benefits and blessings of chant by:
- Teaching you the theory and foundations of chant-its relation to beauty, pleasure and the deep wisdom buried in sacred texts
- Providing-for the first time-complete musical notations for many of her popular chants and practical instruction for how to use them to cultivate self-awareness and love.
Rabbi Shefa Gold, beloved teacher of chant, Jewish mysticism, prayer and spirituality, introduces you to this transformative spiritual practice as a way to unlock the power of sacred texts and take prayer and meditation into the delight of your life.
Gold, Rabbi Shefa. The Magic of Hebrew Chanting: Healing the Spirit, Transforming the Mind, DeepeningLove. Woodstock, Vermont: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2013. 326 pp. $24.99. (9781580236713).
Chanting is a form of meditation. Rabbi Shefa Gold has written a book presenting both the theory of chanting and also providing musical notations for her popular chants. Gold explains that the root: zayin-mem-resh ((??? for chanting "has a double meaning: z-m-r means to chant, but it also means to prune." By chanting, we are removing the nonessential and uncovering our soul or neshamah. Chanting can bring spirituality, healing and togetherness as a community. The book is well organized and the explanations are clear. One suggestion, however, I would also purchase Gold's audio discs if you truly want to experience the power of chanting. If you can play a musical instrument, you can play and sing the chants yourself.
Ellen Share, Librarian, Washington Hebrew Congregation
