The Book

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When Rabbi Akiva Tatz received a letter from a Chicago Jew by the name of David Gottlieb asking: "Do I commit myself fully to Judaism and abandon Zen altogether--the Zen that helped me to awaken spiritually for the first time in my adult life?" he replied immediately. And when David asked: "Where can I find the vibrancy, the wisdom and the source of spiritual connection which, for me, Judaism has never held?" he kept writing. Over the next two years their correspondence became an exploration of many of Judaism's deepest ideas. This book is a record of that correspondence. David's penetrating questions evoke depths of Torah wisdom that are unknown to most modern Jews.

"Rabbi Akiva Tatz has engaged a particularly articulate Buddhist Jew, David Gottlieb, in a far-reaching discussion that touches on many of Judaism's deepest insights. The result of their dialogue is a 'must read' for any searching Jew who has not first looked into his or her own heritage."

"When an American synagogue invites a Buddhist teacher to its Friday night service to give it a spiritual dimension, it reveals a tragic gap: Jewish spirituality pulsing through 3,800 years is out of reach for them, undiscovered, unknown. This book closes that gap."

Sample Chapter

You may download the opening chapter, "Questions," in either PDF or Word format:

download "Questions" in PDF format (262K)

download "Questions" in Word format (399K)

Note: these electronic files are for personal use only and may not be reproduced or sold.

Reviews

"Conflicts of a Buddhist Jew" (aish.com)

"A Nation That Knows Not to Ask" (Jewish Media Resources)