Hasidism and Modern Man

Martin Buber (1878-1965) is known for many influential works in the fields of philosophy of religion and biblical interpretation. His ideas and intellect were globally esteemed, propelled interfaith alliances, and inspired luminaries such as Paul Tillich and Martin Luther King Jr. His books included I and Thou and The Legend of Baal-Shem (Princeton). David Biale is the Emanuel Ringeblum Distinguished Professor of Jewish History at the University of California, Davis, and the author of Not in the Heavens: The Tradition of Jewish Secular Thought (Princeton).

• Introduction to the 2016 Edition ix Editor's Introduction xxiii Book I HASIDISM AND MODERN MAN 1 Part I 1 Part II 5 Part III 12 Part IV 14 Book II MY WAY TO HASIDISM 16 Book III THE LIFE OF THE HASIDIM 31 Hitlahavut: Ecstasy 31 Avoda: Service 37 Kavana: Intention 44 Shiflut: Humility 51 Book IV THE WAY OF MAN, ACCORDING TO THE TEACHINGS OF HASIDISM 60 Introduction 60 I Heart-Searching 61 II The Particular Way 65 III Resolution 69 IV Beginning with Oneself 73 V Not to Be Preoccupied with Oneself 77 VI Here Where One Stands 80 Book V THE BAAL-SHEM-TOV'S INSTRUCTION IN INTERCOURSE WITH GOD 85 Introduction 85 Of Knowledge 86 Of Fervor and of Work 88 Of the Holy Sparks and Their Redemption 89 How One Should Serve 90 Of Distance and Nearness 91 Of Secrecy 92 A Parable of Prayer 93 Of True Intention 94 Of the Might of Words 95 Of Devotion 96 Of Binding 96 Of Distracting Thoughts 97 Of Good and Evil 98 Of Pride and Humility 99 Of the Twofold Movement .101 Explanatory Notes .101 Book VI LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR 108 Part I 108 Part II 113 Part III 120 Part IV 128