Tree of Souls (Schwartz)

645 texts · Page 5 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 Tetragrammaton

Tree of Souls

Jewish tradition teaches that all of creation springs forth from the very Name of God, specifically the holiest Name: YHVH. The Zohar tells us that in the very beginning, God revea...

CreationAngelsDemonsAdam & Eve

The Lord Of Hosts

Tree of Souls

The story I want to share with you comes from the Talmud and it’s about Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha, the High Priest, and a truly extraordinary encounter. Imagine this: Rabbi Ishmael ...

CreationAngelsHeavenTorah

God's Robe Of Glory

Tree of Souls

It might sound like a silly question, but Jewish tradition actually has some fascinating, even awe-inspiring, things to say about God's "robe of glory." Some mystical texts describ...

AngelsTorahAdam & Eve

The Warrior God

Tree of Souls

We tend to picture Him as all-powerful, which He is, but the ancient texts sometimes paint a more… visceral picture. A picture of YAHWEH, the Warrior God. Think about the Exodus st...

AngelsHeavenMosesNoah & Flood

God's Sword

Tree of Souls

This one’s half fire, half ice. Quite the contrast, right? According to 3 Enoch 32:1, when God opens this extraordinary book, something incredible happens. Avenging angels are unle...

AngelsNoah & Flood

A Still, Small Voice

Tree of Souls

Even the great prophet Elijah, the fiery champion of God, reached that point. Imagine this: Elijah, fresh from his triumph over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (I Kings 18), i...

AngelsTorahProphecyHoly Land

God's Voice

Tree of Souls

Jewish tradition paints a picture of a voice so powerful, so overwhelming, that it's almost beyond comprehension. We're told that God saved His full voice for a pivotal moment in h...

CreationAngelsHeavenTorah

God's Image

Tree of Souls

It’s a question that’s haunted mystics and theologians for centuries. And while Jewish tradition generally holds that no one can see God and live, there are whispers and echoes in ...

CreationAngelsMessiahTorah

The Elders Of Israel Behold God

Tree of Souls

And the Torah, in its own way, grapples with this very question. We find ourselves in the Book of Exodus, a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites. Moses is about to ascend ...

TorahMosesAdam & EveHoly Land