Tree of Souls (Schwartz)

645 texts · Page 71 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.

A Magical Tree In Jerusalem

Tree of Souls

What would that era be like? What wonders would unfold? Jewish tradition whispers of one breathtaking miracle: a magical tree, springing to life right there in the heart of the cit...

CreationDemonsMessiahTorah

The Pleading Of The Fathers

Tree of Souls

Jewish tradition certainly thinks so. And there’s a powerful story that illustrates just how deeply connected we are across generations, a story about the pleading of the fathers a...

AngelsHeavenMessiahPatriarchs

Waking The Fathers

Tree of Souls

According to Jewish tradition, it's not just about who gets in, but who gets to wake up first. Why are our patriarchs, the Avot – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – said to be buried in t...

CreationMessiahPatriarchsAdam & Eve

The Fathers Address The Messiah

Tree of Souls

It’s a question that’s captivated Jewish thinkers for centuries. And Jewish tradition actually gives us a glimpse, a stunning vision of just such an encounter. Imagine this: it's t...

MessiahPatriarchsAdam & EveNoah & Flood

The Two Messiahs

Tree of Souls

Judaism has a rich and complex answer to that feeling, and it involves not one, but two Messiahs. That's right, two! As it says in Zechariah 4:14, they are the "two anointed dignit...

CreationHeavenMessiahAdam & Eve

The Messiah Petitions God

Tree of Souls

Not just any Messiah, but the one destined to usher in an era of peace and redemption. The pressure! According to Jewish tradition, it's not a solo act, either. There are actually ...

HeavenMessiahAdam & Eve

The Coming Of The Messiah

Tree of Souls

When will the Messiah come? It's a question that has echoed through generations, a yearning whispered in synagogues and debated in yeshivas. But what if I told you the answer was… ...

CreationHeavenMessiah

The Messiah's Yeshivah

Tree of Souls

We often think of messianic times in grand, sweeping terms – peace on earth, the end of suffering, justice for all. But sometimes, the most beautiful visions are the most intimate....

DemonsMessiahTorahAdam & Eve

The Dual Messiah

Tree of Souls

But what if the Messianic role is actually a team effort? What if, as this radical idea from Deuteronomy Rabbah (3:17) suggests, the Messiah is actually two figures, coming togethe...

MessiahTorahPatriarchsMoses