Edward Hoffman

Explore the Lamed Vav mythos in the Kabbalah, early Hasidism, and Jewish folklore • Highlights the tradition of the Lamed Vav—36 hidden righteous individuals in every generation who sustain the world with acts of kindness • Relates the Lamed Vav mythos to topics of positive psychology such as meditation, peak-experiences, synchronicity, and higher consciousness • Provides activities based on the Kabbalah and early Hasidism to enhance your receptivity to Lamed Vav individuals in your life and become a Lamed Vav for others If you have ever witnessed an act of extraordinary kindness, the sort that seems to come from beyond everyday human experience, perhaps you had an encounter with one of the Lamed Vav. According to Jewish mysticism, these 36 hidden and righteous individuals keep humanity alive through acts of sublime kindness. Psychologist and professor Edward Hoffman explores this fascinating mythos from its Talmudic origins through the Kabbalah, early Hasidism, and recent appearance in the contemporary world. He examines the esoteric meaning of the number 36 (literally lamed=30, vav=6) in Kabbalistic lore as well as the Elijah archetype and its importance in the work of Carl Jung and his protégé Erich Neumann. Hoffman develops the notion of Lamed Vav consciousness—a powerful, inborn force for kindness that exists within each of us. He provides guided visualizations to call forth our Lamed Vav consciousness by drawing on themes from sacred texts like the Zohar and Jewish folklore, such as Miriam’s Well, Solomon’s Ring, and the Tree of Life. He also shares self-reflection exercises to help us recognize hidden Lamed Vav figures in our daily life and become a Lamed Vav to others by boosting our compassion, empathy, simplicity, playfulness, reverence for nature, and joy.

Dr. Edward Hoffman, a world-renowned thinker and writer in humanistic psychology, reveals how the Kabbalah exerted a profound influence on the establishment and growth of Western psychological thought through such towering thinkers as Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Abraham Maslow. With a new introduction and updated bibliography, The Way of Splendor: The 25th Anniversary begins with an historical presentation of Kabalistic metaphysics and cosmology, then discusses the psychological dimensions of Kabbalah on such topics as dreams, meditation, sexuality, community, health and emotions. The Way of Splendor is a classic yet timely book that shows how to integrate spirituality with counseling, emphasizing the day-to-day relevance of the visionary experience.

By emphasizing similarities among types and styles, Jig and Fixture Design, 5E speeds readers to a complete understanding of the why's and how's of designing and building a variety of different workholders for manufacturing. From simple template and plate-type jigs to complex channel and box-type tooling, this newly revised edition features more than 500 illustrations of tools and applications to spur readers to success. All-new sections on assembly tools, handling tools, and catalog reading enable readers to develop important skills. Specific examples of various jigs and commercially available fixtures also appear to guide readers in developing their understanding of how design principles, as well as the latest design and manufacturing technologies, are being applied in the construction of jigs and fixtures today. As in past editions, heavy emphasis is placed on the economics of jigs and fixtures, including methods and formulas for use in estimating workholder costs. A solid background in industrial processes, as well as machine shop technology, is assumed.

Hasidism--a mystical branch of Judaism that is today the object of renewed interest--traditionally has as its leaders well-trained masters whose way of counseling their followers may be of interest to those in other helping disciplines. "Sparks of Light " examines the history and techniques of their advising people on the problems of everyday life--health, finances, family--as well as more spiritual concerns. Schachter and Hoffman take a close look at the techniques of the Hasidic masters--dream interpretation, shock, problem solving, and the prescription of spiritual exercises to unlock the door of the mind. They also focus on such intriguing topics as how Hasidic masters are trained, the range of difficulties for which struggling Jews seek their help, the intuitive methods of counseling that are used, and the kinds of mystical and practical advice offered in response to life's challenges. This book--based on original translations of Hasidic tales and writings, many never before translated--will appeal to those in the helping profession, as well as readers of Jewish history.

This pioneering, popular introduction to Jewish mysticism was the first survey written for a general audience, and it's now available in Shambhala Classics. Epstein presents the methods, schools, and legendary practitioners of Kabbalah, unraveling the web of ancient traditions hidden in such texts as the "Sefer Yetzirah " and the "Zohar." The words of the great Kabbalists appear throughout the book, giving instructions on practices such as contemplation of the Bible's secret teachings, ecstatic prayer, and intensive meditation.

The Kabbalah is Judaism's intriguing mystical tradition, thousands of years old. In recent years, a growing number of people--both Jews and non-Jews--are finding the Kabbalah to be a fascinating treasure house of wisdom about the human mind. Men and women are discovering and applying Jewish mystical insights in daily life, and professionals in such fields as psychology, psychotherapy, and medicine are actively using Kabbalah in their work. Opening the Inner Gates is an anthology concerning these new explorations. In sixteen chapters, thirteen contributors present both theoretical considerations and applied methods of Kabbalah in such areas as healing, the mind-body relationship, dreamwork, intuition and creativity, storytelling, women's spirituality, parenting, working with the elderly, and "repairing the world" (tikkun olam). Contributors: LaVera Draisin, MD - Gerald Epstein, MD - Sheldon Kramer, PhD - Rabbi Steven Rosman, PhD - Edward Hoffman, PhD - Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi - Steven Joseph, MD - Howard Schwartz - Rabbi Chaim Richter - Alyce R. Tresenfeld - Mark Malachi - Rabbi Rami Shapiro - Laya Firestone Seghi