Tree of Souls (Schwartz)

645 texts · Page 55 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 Seven Clouds Of Glory

Tree of Souls

We read about it, we sing about it… but imagine the sun beating down, the constant threat of snakes, the sheer exhaustion. How did they survive? Well, our tradition offers a beauti...

Adam & EveExileHoly Land

Moses' Last Request

Tree of Souls

What would you ask for? According to tradition, as his time drew near, Moses made one final, powerful request of God. It wasn't for more life, or for comfort, or even for himself a...

HeavenMosesAdam & EveNoah & Flood

Joshua As Oedipus

Tree of Souls

Now, we all know Joshua as a great leader, a warrior, a successor to Moses. But what if his origins were shrouded in a myth mirroring some of the most famous stories in history? Ac...

CreationDemonsHeavenMessiah

Moses Never Died

Tree of Souls

We all know the story: he led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Torah on Mount Sinai, and brought his people to the edge of the Promised Land. But then… he just disappears ...

AngelsMosesAdam & EveMysticism

King David Is Crowned In Heaven

Tree of Souls

The Jewish mystical tradition has some pretty answers, especially when it comes to King David. There's a wild idea that David wasn't just crowned here, but also in heaven! Accordin...

CreationAngelsDemonsHeaven

King David's Harp

Tree of Souls

The Talmud, in Berakhot 3b, offers us a glimpse into King David's bedchamber. No ordinary room, mind you. Above his bed hung a harp. But this wasn't just any harp; it was touched b...

CreationTorahMosesAdam & Eve

The Angel Of The Lord

Tree of Souls

That’s the feeling this ancient story evokes. Imagine Jerusalem, poised on the brink of annihilation. God, in his wrath, sends an angel to destroy it. Can you picture it? A city ab...

AngelsHeavenHell/GehennaPatriarchs

The Mountain Of Fire

Tree of Souls

There’s a fascinating, little-known story about King David that suggests even he needed a wake-up call. Imagine this: David, the shepherd-turned-king, is wandering through a dense,...

CreationAngelsTorahPatriarchs

The Thirty-six Just Men

Tree of Souls

According to Jewish tradition, it might just be thirty-six ordinary people. These aren't kings or prophets. They're not wealthy philanthropists or celebrated scholars. They are the...

CreationHeavenHell/GehennaAdam & Eve