Jewish Mindfulness Resources, for the Holy Days and Every Day

Diversity
Written By Catharine Hannay

published 9/22/19; updated 3/16/23

Photo by Element5Digital on Unsplash


by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org


My interest in secular mindfulness actually first came from reading the works of contemporary Buddhist teachers from Jewish backgrounds, including Jack Kornfield and Surya Das.

In the past few years, I've been learning about Jewish traditions that provide wonderful opportunities to practice various aspects of mindfulness.

For example,

  • Yom Kippur: focusing on forgiveness and compassion.

  • Sukkot: engaging the senses through the Arba Minim, and reflecting on impermanence; and

  • Purim: thinking about our authentic selves and the masks we typically wear.

Here is a curated collection of articles and videos on integrating mindfulness with Jewish practices and teachings, in daily life and on specific holy days.

Reflections on Judaism and Mindfulness

Mindful Eating

“Judaism is by nature a religion that encourages us to be mindful of what we do each day. When we eat, for example, and say a bracha (prayer), we are supposed to be mindful that the food we are eating is a gift and not something to be taken for granted.”

Rabbi Dan Dorsch, “The Value of Mindfulness in Jewish Life”

Sabbath and Prayer

“Shabbat is basically 24 hours of mindful practice (at least how I see it, it is a contemplative day of just being rather than doing).

To me, prayer […] can also be a mindful experience […] in Jewish tradition we are taught to pray with kavanah, which is a kind of focused absorption that feels very much like mindfulness to me.”

Dr. Amoneeta Beckstein, “Multicultural Considerations in Teaching Mindfulness”

Integrating Mindfulness with Jewish Traditions

Be. Here. Now. An Introduction to Jewish Mindfulness, by Dr. Benjamin Epstein for the Jerusalem Post.

This is a reflection on the concept of yishuv hada’at by the author of Living in the Presence: A Jewish Mindfulness Guide for Everyday Life.

Dr. Epstein also published a shorter version of this article, The Jewish Approach to Mindfulness Will Blow Your Mind, at JewintheCity.com

The Intersection of Mindfulness and Judaism, by Rabbi Brian Field at JudaismYourWay.org

Rabbi Field explains how mindfulness connects to three core practices: Bracha, teshuvah and mitzvah. (To read this article, scroll halfway down the page, past the announcement about their meditation group.)

On Mindfulness and Jewish Meditation, by Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb at Chabad.org

In this two-part series, Ms. Rosenberg-Gottlieb explores the physiological, emotional and spiritual benefits of achieving mindfulness and tranquility.


A Path of Wellness: Jewish Mindfulness Meditation, by Cantor Florence Friedman at ReformJudaism.org

Cantor Friedman explains that "in Jewish Mindfulness Meditation, Judaism is the yesod, the foundation, and mindfulness meditation is the derech, the path."

Videos about Jewish Mindfulness and Compassion


What Is Jewish Mindfulness?

(3 minutes)


Rabbi Yael Levy of A Way In- Jewish Mindfulness Organization explains how a mindful approach to the Torah and the holy days can “guide our hearts and direct our intentions.”


A Journey Toward Jewish Mindfulness

(16 minutes)

David Gottlieb discusses how a disastrous shabat dinner turned into an opportunity to practice mindfulness and compassion, integrating what he'd learned from Buddhist meditation and traditional Jewish meditation practices.

Ken Y'hi Ratzon, Elana Arian

(in English and Hebrew)

This song is based on Buddhist and Jewish lovingkindness practice:

'Ken Y'hi Ratzon' means 'let it be so,' 'may it be so' or 'may it be G-d's will.'

Stop. Think. Act.

Jewish Mindfulness in Action.

(2 minutes)


This is a video produced by Jewish kids for Jewish kids.



Mindful Approaches to the Holy Days


”Mindfulness [...] has always been a traditional part of the Jewish High Holidays. [...] The meditation and movement that are part of mindfulness may not be traditional components of our liturgy, but mindfulness — the practice of listening, paying attention, waking up to the present moment — is exactly what the Days of Awe call us to do. It is their very essence.”

Of Sound Mindfulness: The Essence of Our Holy Days, by Rabbi Yael Levy at JewishExponent.com (link no longer available)


Rosh Hashanah


Sukkot



Yom Kippur

Hanukkah


Passover


Purim

Conclusion


I hope you find these resources useful, whether you're:

  • interested in learning more about interfaith approaches to mindfulness; or

  • looking for ways to integrate your mindfulness practice with your own Jewish religious practice.


About the Author

Catharine Hannay, M.A., is the founder of MindfulTeachers.org and the author of Being You: A Girl’s Guide to Mindfulness, a workbook for teen girls on mindfulness, compassion, and self-acceptance. She was a teacher for twenty years, including a dozen years in the Intensive English Program at Georgetown University, and now works as a writer and editor specializing in mindfulness, effective communication, and mental health. CatharineHannay.com


Related Posts

There are many more resources here at MindfulTeachers.org on integrating mindfulness with faith-based practices, including:



Catharine Hannay
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