Rabbi Baer of Radoshitz sought out the advice of his rebbe, the Seer of Lublin. "Master, show me a way all people can follow in service to God." "There is no one way," the Seer replied. For some the way is the way of study, for others the way of prayer, and for still others the way of fasting or eating or good deeds. There is no one way for all, only the right way for each. Choose the way that is right for you and then engage it with all your might."

Hasidism, one of the most important Jewish spiritual movements, embraces many ways to God, and in this four-week Online Retreat and Practice Circle we will focus on four them:

• The Way of Wisdom rooted in an understanding of human and divine nature;

• The Way of Study rooted in the teachings of Torah, the Five Books of Moses;

• The Way of Faith rooted in the cultivation of a fearless trust; and

• The Way of Humility rooted in the fact that in the end it isn’t what we know that saves us, but the realization that we know nothing at all.

Each morning for four weeks you will receive a short Hasidic teaching expounding on and often expanding the theme of the week. The Baal Shem Tov (1234-1234), Dov Ber of Mezritch (1704-1772), Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740-1810), Menachem Mendel of Kotsk (1787-1859) are a few of the rebbes whose wisdom we will share. Each teaching will be paired with a brief commentary from Rabbi Rami whose translations of and commentary on Hasidic stories and texts are legendary. In addition, Rami will offer a practice for the day designed to help you live the teaching and deepen your understanding of it.

Three times during this month–long exploration of Hasidic teachings (July 13, 20, 27), you are invited to dial into a teleconference with Rabbi Rami to discuss any issues that you wish to bring up. In addition you will also have daily access to our online Practice Circle where you can share with one another your own insights, questions, and experiences.

This Online Retreat has been developed by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, profiled in Spirituality & Practice's Living Spiritual Teachers Project and author of Hasidic Tales Annotated and Explained, and Tanya, a Hasidic Masterpiece. While rooted in Judaism, the teachings of these Hasidic rebbes are applicable to everyone, and Rami’s commentary and practices are designed to engage people of any religious/spiritual tradition and no tradition.