A New Library: Marc Gafni

marc gafni
published on marcgafni.com
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Introduction:

The following modest proposal was submitted to the board of the foundation as an outline of the library that the foundation would like to produce. The lead writer and teacher for this library is Mordechai Gafni who has been designated as the teacher in residence for the foundation. Mordechai {Marc} will be working in close collaboration with teachers from many traditions in teaching and writing this library. We pray that this library serves to open the heart of all people.

There is a great need for creative Jewish thinking which will chart the next steps in Jewish Thought and Practice in a way that is both compelling, original and accessible.
There is very little of this kind of writing and teaching in the contemporary Jewish community.

Most of the writing available is of one of two kinds.

The first kind is geared towards the Orthodox community, offering learned analysis and guidance in observing the law with little in the way of a spiritual response or framework with which to grapple with the unique and ultimate issues of our generation. Most of the writers in this genre are deeply disconnected with the pulse and tenor of the times and view the Western world as just another exile to be survived before the coming of Messiah. This literature is important and makes a valuable contribution, but at the same time many people are thirsting for something more.

The second type of literature is fully of creativity and modern parlance, but it is not rooted in any significant way in the unique texts, practices and frameworks of Hebrew Wisdom. Most of the writers are actually unable to competently read a Jewish text in it’s original form and that is often readily apparent in the book. Often this kind of material is what someone once termed “Buddhism with a Tallit”. This literature is important and makes a valuable contribution, but at the same time many people are thirsting for something more.

Our library will seek to transcend and include the unique strengths of each of these writing genres while avoiding their very significant weaknesses.

In the following posts I will suggest a few names for the library
and then after the sabbath, lay out the intended content.

I look forward to your comments.

with love

marc gafni

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