Overview

Can we understand G-D and his creation? What is man’s role in creation? How does G-D oversee his creations and to what final purpose? Spiritual Illumination in the Modern World was conceived as a work of Jewish outreach and targeted to help connect those who feel distant from G-D and uninspired by the practices of the religion, regardless of level of observance. For the committed Spiritual Seeker there is a strong emphasis on the Jewish Mystical tradition - the Kabbalah - which has so much to offer in addressing the big questions in life. The book emphasises the vibrancy and spiritual uplift at the heartbeat of Judaism - the Torah and the Mitzvot. It is written in a distinctly modern idiom by an Orthodox Jewish scientist, without cutting corners or relying on oversimplifications. Notwithstanding, to aid clarity in understanding interspersed throughout are helpful Figures, Graphics, Tables, Visualisations and Summaries. In addition, most Chapters begin with a short recapitulation of the previous chapter in order to instil a sense of continuity and progression. Another feature is that most of the chapters were crafted to be potentially stand-alone self-contained units. After an Introduction, the work opens by asking the tantalising question: Is Science on the verge of Discovering G-D? followed by addressing perhaps the greatest paradox faced in Jewish Philosophy (Hashkafa): Why did G-D create a physical world populated by a species like mankind, the majority of whom deny His very existence? By adopting visualisations, metaphors and allegories, an ambitious attempt is made to impart insights into the Oneness of the Creator (Hashem, may He be blessed) and His Creations, focussing on the Supernal Worlds, G-D’s Emanations (via the Sephirot) as well as governance of our physical existence. Man, defined as a composite of the physical and Spiritual, is represented as an ongoing conflict of opposing emotional forces - the good inclination versus the evil inclination - the outcome of which has cosmic ramifications. As the book reaches its climax, the focus turns to the Torah and Mitzvot to expose infinite levels of depth, many of which are accessible to man. The final chapter touches on the Torah and Science debate and eschatology, the end of days, our present era. The work completes by offering practical advice towards Spiritual Illumination carefully selected from several of the Great Figures in Jewish thought throughout the ages including: the Rambam, the Arizal, the Ramchal, the Vilna Gaon, the Rebbes of Lubavitch and Rav Kook.

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9781914933240

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Dr Jeffrey (Yoseph) Cummings was born in Glasgow, Scotland, UK in 1955 but hails from a combination of a Litvish and Chassidic background. The latter being the Izhbitz-Radziner dynasty known for their unique Hashkafa (philosophy), which stresses the spiritual potential of every Jew and the concept that all is in the hands of Heaven (Shamayim). Two strands of thought that pervade the present book. A graduate (BSc) with Honours in Pharmacology and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr Cummings spent his scientific career, spanning forty years, at three different UK Universities and two different UK Hospitals - including the largest Cancer Hospital in Europe. There he was involved in cutting edge research in a bid to develop new and more effective therapies to treat this terrible disease and reduce the debilitating side effects of existing drugs. During that period, he published over 180 peer reviewed scientific papers and edited two books. The recipient of two honorific scientific awards becoming the chairperson of the UK National Cancer Translational Research Network QA Group and as an elective member of the executive committee of the British Measurement and Testing Association. For Dr Cummings Science, while very important, always took backstage to family life, the observance of Judaism and learning Torah. Over a period ten years he learned Daf Hayomi in his car as he commuted fifty- four miles each way to his place of work. A project SEED tutor in Glasgow, he also founded an evening Kollel for Baal Habatim - Kollel Rabbi Akiva. After moving to Manchester, he pursued a similar course of action, setting up a Tanya Shiur, a Likkutei Moran Shiur as well as being heavily involved in the formation of an evening Gemara Chaburah.

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