Tree of Souls (Schwartz)

645 texts · Page 46 of 72

Texts from Howard Schwartz's Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism, a landmark anthology gathering myths and legends spanning the full arc of Jewish tradition, from the creation of the world to the coming of the Messiah.

The Body Of Israel

Tree of Souls

It’s more than just a metaphor, actually. According to Jewish mystical tradition, we’re all limbs of the same body, intrinsically linked. That’s why, as the Yesod ha-Teshuvah teach...

MessiahTorahMosesAdam & Eve

The Lesson Of The Stars

Tree of Souls

Young Abraham did. And his confusion led him to a profound realization about the nature of… well, everything. Imagine being a kid, really seeing the world for the first time. Abrah...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsAdam & Eve

God Calls Upon Abram

Tree of Souls

It all starts with a command. A voice. God says to Abram (that's Abraham's name before it was changed, much like his wife was originally Sarai, not Sarah), "Lekh Lekha" – "Go forth...

CreationPatriarchsAdam & EveHoly Land

God's Covenant With Abram

Tree of Souls

His nephew, Lot, has just departed, choosing a different path, and perhaps a more materially prosperous one. Abram might be feeling a little…lost. But then, something incredible ha...

CreationHeavenTorahPatriarchs

God Appears To Abraham

Tree of Souls

The Torah tells us a story about just that. It's a scorching day, and Abraham is sitting at the entrance to his tent, near the terebinths of Mamre. Suddenly, he looks up and sees t...

AngelsDemonsPatriarchsProphecy

Abraham's Vision Of God

Tree of Souls

The Torah tells us that Abraham did. But the story, like so many in our tradition, is layered with meaning, prompting centuries of interpretation and debate. The scene is set in Ge...

CreationAngelsTorahPatriarchs

Abraham's Glowing Stone

Tree of Souls

According to some fascinating old stories, Abraham wore a glowing stone around his neck. What was it? A pearl, some say. Others claim it was a magnificent jewel. But whatever its c...

HeavenPatriarchsAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Abraham In Egypt

Tree of Souls

The land was barren. A terrible famine gripped the region, forcing Abraham and Sarah to seek refuge in Egypt. They first tried Hebron, but the hunger was everywhere. So, they journ...

CreationPatriarchsMosesAdam & Eve

Abraham's Name

Tree of Souls

Our tale begins with Abram, a skilled astrologer. Now, picture this: Abram gazes up at the night sky, charting the constellations, mapping the movements of the planets. But what he...

DemonsHeavenTorahPatriarchs