How do you share the excitement, warmth and depth of Chassidus with someone who has no knowledge of Yiddishkeit? This is a recurring challenge for most Shluchim, sometimes met with success, but frequently with frustration. You know that Chassidus contains the most transformational ideas. It can lift you up from “a deep pit to a high roof-top”, and inspire your life in a remarkable way. But how to share this information with others?
Rabbi Yisrael M. Rice is a Shliach to Marin County, California, where he has been grappling with this question for over 30 years. He relates, “After teaching a Tanya Shiur for a couple months, one of the participants asked me ‘But Rabbi, what does this have to do with me?’ I realized then that I needed to revise my approach.”
He spoke with various professionals in education and marketing, and developed a one-day seminar that shifted the question from “What does Chassidus say?” to “What are the participants looking for in their life?” The life-changing ideas of Chassidus were put forth in a simple-to-understand format, with relatable analogies, meditations and humor – and most importantly – in a way that the information made a profound impact upon the participant.
After developing the seminar over the course of many years, Rabbi Rice decided to put his unique approach into book form and The Four Keys of Kabbalah was born.
How are we to apply Chassidus in our daily life? How does our understanding help us deal with life’s struggles? And how does it make us a better person? The Four Keys of Kabbalah also goes into the practicalities of Jewish observance, such as how to wake-up in the morning, keeping Kosher, reciting Brachot and observing the Yomim Tovim. Rabbi Rice seamlessly weaves together the practice and the profundity.
Read what these Shluchim have to say about the Four Keys of Kabbalah:
The analogies and articulation of Chassidic concepts and ideas are precious … a truly worthwhile read even if it’s just for yourself, to give you new ways to explain and teach Chassidus.
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick, Shliach, Pleasanton, CA
I had an opportunity to peruse Yisrael Rice’s book. I am blown away. If you want a book to introduce people to the basics of Chassidus this is it. Written clearly in simple language with humor interspersed and analogies that use high tech current concepts, it really is very well done. I highly recommend it.
I gave it to all of my top Balebatim for Rosh Hashanah together with the honey. One of them has seriously changed his attitude toward Yiddishkeit, from not being interested in anything, he has now started attending most of my Parsha and Chassidus classes. He wants to meet up and talk privately about Yiddishkeit. He specifically told me that it was because of the book.
Rabbi Yosef Levin, Shliach, Palo Alto, CA.
In addition to being a Shliach to Marin County, Rabbi Yisrael Rice is the chairman of the Editorial Board for the Rohr JLI, and serves on its executive committee. He has authored several JLI courses as well as articles for Chabad.org.
The Four Keys of Kabbalah is beautifully produced by Dove Publishing – London. It is a hard cover book with 300 pages; it makes the perfect gift. If you want to read more about The Four Keys of Kabbalah please go to www.Kabbalahkeys.com. You can also read the introduction and first chapter.
You can order The Four Keys of Kabbalah now on Amazon, Seforimdeals.com. For Western US & Canada please order directly from www.Kabbalahkeys.com.
For special Shluchim discount and bulk orders, please email info@seforimdeals.com. For Western US & Canada call Guila at 415-610-6202 or email cukierg@gmail.com. Rabbi Rice is also available for Zoom Talks/Book Signings.
Has been providing excellent material for JLI courses for many years and now finally we can all enjoy his wisdom in a brilliant book. Mazal Tov and continued success in all your writing and teaching.