This book can best be described as crazy-wise. Completely defying the historic trends within Judaism for the past several hundred years, trends toward more philosophical, rational modes of thinking, Winkler plunges back into Jewish tribal origins. While his re-reading of Jewish sources may seem eccentric at times, he is not making this stuff up, merely viewing them with an archly-shamanistic POV. His refusal to embrace Christian-derived "spirituality" that, overtly or covertly, devalues earthly physicality is perhaps the most powerful contribution to his unearthing (pardon the pun) authentic Jewish spiritual practice.
When he is being original, he even more interesting. Frankly, his interpretation of Ohr v'Choshek (the meaning of light and darkness) in Jewish mystical sources can most charitably be described as "strong." More bluntly, he turns the traditional mystical perspectives on light and darkness, unity and diversity, being and nothingness, completely inside-out. His interpretation also undermines much of Jewish tradition, both exoteric and esoteric, on messianism. I'd be curious to hear his thoughts on that. Still, it is provocative and compelling, and is well worth reading. I'd recommend strongly, in fact.
I don't see the majority of American middle-class Jews embracing shamanistic Judiasm, but this book will be interesting to anyone looking for compelling post-modern ways of being Jewish. It will be especially interesting to those who already know the sources and are looking to have their cherished assumptions shaken up a little. Fascinating. |
Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism Books In Print, Audio Books.