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The Mystical Element in Judaism QUOTES

The Mystical Element in Judaism QUOTES

1 " Every word of prayer that issues from a man’s mouth ascends aloft through all firmaments to a place where it is tested. If it is genuine, it is taken up before the Holy King to be fulfilled, but if not it is rejected, and an alien spirit is evoked by it.”68 For example, “it is obligatory for every Israelite to relate the story of the Exodus on the Passover night. He who does so fervently and joyously, telling the tale with a high heart, shall be found worthy to rejoice in the Shekinah in the world to come, for rejoicing brings forth rejoicing; and the joy of Israel causes the Holy One Himself to be glad, so that He calls together all the Family above and says unto them: ‘Come ye and hearken unto the praises which My children bring unto Me! Behold how they rejoice in My redemption!’ Then all the angels and supernal beings gather round and observe Israel, how she sings and rejoices because of her Lord’s own Redemption—and seeing the rejoicings below, the supernal beings also break into jubilation for that the Holy One possesses on earth a people so holy, whose joy in the Redemption of their Lord is so great and powerful. For all that terrestrial rejoicing increases the power of the Lord and His hosts in the regions above, just as an earthly king gains strength from the praises of his subjects, the fame of his glory being thus spread throughout the world. "

― Abraham Joshua Heschel , The Mystical Element in Judaism