Deep Calling Unto Deep: The Dynamics of Prayer in the Perspective of Chassidism

WOW! There are many volumes written about prayer and repentance. Mostly they are archaic, dry, technical. Very few are inspiring, motivating the reader to actually try out what is suggested. What an extraordinary exception to the rule with Prof. Schochet's "Deep Calling Unto Deep." It makes these themes come alive. There is no preaching, no brow-beating. It explains, it elucidates. It is not simplistic religious dogmatism. The author raises profound philosophical questions, critically examines all premises and analyzes them in terms attractive and attracting to scholar and layman alike. Questions like "why pray"? Doesn't God know what you need? Are you not interfering with Divine Providence by asking for changes in its plans? How can God change His mind according to your wishes? How can repentance wipe out the past? How and when would you know that there was true repentance? How can prayer and repentaqnce work without violating theological premises? And so forth. Mixing philosophy, theology, mysticism and Hassidic teachings, Schochet explains, illuminates, resolves, without ever being dogmatic or judgmental. Above all it is so inspiring it turns your soul on fire and makes you appreciate these complex concepts. Extensive references, indices and bibliographies, make this a true treasure and reference-book, to which you will continue to come back to. I don't believe that it has its equal among all the many books I read on these subjects. Four thumbs up!