Originating in Eastern Europe in the 18th century, Hasidism is a movement in Judaism that focuses on the joy of living and of dedicating one's life to God. Stressing social justice, this spiritual movement is based largely on parables and stories that encourage the potential for personal transformation. From the initial writings of the Ba'al Shem Tov to the 20th-century guru and artist Reb Shlomo Carlebach, this volume contains a chronological collection of the variety and diversity of voices that represent Hasidic teachings. Collected here are both the original works of the Hasidic masters in new translations—including teachings, tales, parables, prayers, and melodies—and a comprehensive introduction to the meaning and value of these classic stories. Rabbi Schacter-Shalomi, a leader within the Jewish Renewal Movement, tries to capture the essence of this spiritual movement by bringing many voices to this collection. Shore anecdotal biographical sketches precede each selection and vividly bring to life the masters and their teachings. As an introduction to Hasidism, this is a very useful sourcebook. Recommended for all Judaica collections.—Herbert E. Shapiro, Empire State Coll. of SUNY, Rochester (Library Journal, April 15, 2003)

This important book is a culmination of Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi's lifelong study of the Hasidic masters. Drawing from traditional Hasidic texts, modern studies of Hasidism and his own well-honed knowledge and intuition, the author portrays these teachers and rabbis as inspired individuals, wrestling with the eternal questions. It is, without doubt, the most important book about the Hasidic masters since Martin Buber's "Tales of the Hasidim." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 7, 2003)

"Stories speak to the heart of what it is to be human, and these stories help us understand what it is to be divine. Reb Zalman's spiritual insight and clarity make this collection of teachings and tales a powerful and transformative gateway to God and godliness."
Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro, director, Metivta Center for Jewish Contemplative Practice and author of Minyan: Ten Principles for Living a Life of Integrity and The Way of Solomon

"This latest of Zalman's gifts to the Jewish world is by far the most clear, accessible, and authentic explanation of classical Hasidic teachings and their timely relevance. Reb Zalman zaps us with notions so fresh and ripe for our paradigm that they smack of the long-lost aboriginal life-wisdom that birthed the Jewish people and its ever-dynamic ideology to begin with."
Rabbi Gershon Winkler, author of Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism

"Wrapped in a Holy Flame offers readers a clear philosophical foundation for the connection between traditional Hasidism and new developments in Jewish mysticism today as taught by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. As a well-known teacher of Kabbalah who is also strongly grounded in the Hasidic world, he and his student Nataniel Miles-Yepez make a strong case for the neo-Hasidic underpinnings of the growing Jewish renewal movement."
Rabbi David Cooper, author of God is a Verb and A Heart of Stillness

"Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi is at the forefront of everything new and alive in Judaism. He is the Renewer of the Generation. Wrapped in a Holy Flame presents profound teachings and stories of the Hasidic masters in a form suited to our time and our modern sensibilities. Reb Zalman is the chief cupbearer at our mystic banquet, offering aged wine in new flasks, wine sweet to the taste of those thirsty for Jewish spiritual wisdom."
Maggid Yitzhak Buxbaum, author, Jewish Spiritual Practices