Jewish Mysticism Today | 1978 Panel: Zalman Schachter, Arthur Green and Charles Rosen

Jewish Mysticism in America with Dr. Arthur Green, Dr. Charles Rosen, and Rabbi Zalman Schachter. Sponsored by the Graduate Theological Union Program for the Study of New Religious Movements in America, Berkeley, California, June 7, 1978.

"We have here a unique collection of thinkers, scholars, pioneers, the cutting edge of a part of American spiritual life which most people here would like to know more about and we couldn't have a better panel in the universe, in the galaxy, than the present one, for this subject." - Jacob Needleman, program director

(The first few minutes are a little dull but then it really picks up. Hang in there, it’s worth it.)

00:00 Intro to panel
01:25 Jacob: What’s going on with Jewish Mysticism in America Today
03:07 Zalman: What does Judaism have to offer the world?
06:22 Art: But is it Jewish? Transcending Judaism
10:37 Charles: Having it both ways
12:54 Jacob: Zen and Christianity
13:50 Zalman: Syncretism. Right and Left Brainers
16:35 Art: Traditional vs Innovative Liturgically? Language and techniques of Silence
19:16 Jacob: Isn’t Picking-and-Choosing Idolatrous?
21:06 Charles: The Marriage of Law and Experience, Structure and Ecstasy
23:37 Art: Shulchan Aruch (Jewish Law) as Baroque and Rococo. Idolization of the Law.
27:19 Zalman: Between Autonomy and Heteronomy. Developmental Scheme of Religion. White Sugar Religion
36:54 Art: Where is Humility and Submission in Autonomy?
37:40 Zalman: The Pride-Humility Continuum
38:37 Jacob: Where’s the Guru/Master/Father/Teacher Today?
39:39 Charles: The Rebbe and Chassid Relationship – Yechidut
42:19 Jacob: Questions from the Audience
42:50 Zalman: “Inspiring” Guru vs “How to” Guru. The Need for Spiritual Dialogue
47:43 Question: Difference between the Abrahamic Religions from a Mystical Perspective?
48:14 Zalman: We are facing another Epoch Change. The Holy Descent into Physicality
51:59 [Tape Change]
54:41 Question from Audience: Why are Jews disproportionally into Buddhism?
55:08 Charles: Reform and Conserve Judaism Failed our Youth
55:30 Art: Recovering from the Culture Shock of Modernity. We Lost a Sense of Search
1:00:19 Zalman: They’re looking where the Energy Is
1:02:51 Question from Audience: What about God?
1:04:48 Art: We’re talking ‘About’ It
1:05:44 Zalman: Four Levels of Truth/Consciousness. To Say “God” is to say, “I Am”
1:09:38 Charles: Transforming the Symbols. Seeing the Same Rituals Differently
1:11:23 Art: The Hunger for Experience. Waiting for G-d. Looking Back and Seeing G-d there
1:13:19 Question from Audience: How to Limit Self-Indulgent Idolatry of Merely Tasting
1:14:21 Zalman: Can we talk this form of Religion to our Children?
1:15:51 Art: Spiritual Gluttony. The Enemy of Spiritual Growth. Idolizing the Search
1:18:32 Question from Audience: What about Faith in the Divine ability to Transcend?
1:20:11 Zalman: We want a Fire, a tall Fire
1:21:26 Charles: Making a commitment, no matter how Irrational, changes you
1:22:30 Art: The Difference Between a Chassid and Mitnaged
1:22:50 Zalman: Graffiti Quote about Voting
1:23:18 Jacob: Thanks and Applause

#Schachter #Green #Rosen

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