Our Immoral Soul: A Manifesto of Spiritual Disobedience

By Nilton Bonder

Book Overview

A treatise on when and why to heed your soul's transgressive instinct, with examples drawn from biblical history and Hasidic lore.

Rabbi Bonder turns a few conventional ideas on their heads as he identifies the forces at play in individual, social, and spiritual transformation. Many people believe that obedience to the established moral order leads to the well-being of society as well as the salvation of their souls. On the contrary, says Bonder, the human spirit is nourished by the impulse to betray and transgress the ways of the past. Even the Bible legitimizes our God-given urge to disobey in order to evolve, grow, and transcend. It is this "immoral" soul of ours that impels us to do battle with God--and out of this clash, Bonder predicts, a new humanity will emerge. In the course of discussion, he examines a variety of intriguing issues touching on religion, science, and culture, including the findings of evolutionary psychology; the relation of body and soul; infidelity in marriage; the stereotype of Jew as traitor; sacrifice and redemption in Judaism and Christianity; and the Messiah as archetypal transgressor.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570629242
• ISBN13: 9781570629242
• Release Date: February 2014
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Good to shift perspectives

This book is good for shifting people stuck in an authoritarian absolutest position. As always the Jews have really good methods of dealing with transition.

About a special logic peculiar to the soul

Our Immoral Soul: A Manifesto Of Spiritual Disobedience by Rabbi Nilton Bonder (leader of one of Brazil's largest Jewish congregations) is a fascinating and informative treatise about a special logic peculiar to the soul and the balance between the "immoral soul" and the "moral animal" of psychology and evolution. Rabbi Bonder received his training at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, and in Our Immoral Soul he adroitly tackles a range of relevant issues such as the many types of self and spiritual betrayal, to the essence of the self with insight, wisdom, and devoted learning. A compelling and persuasive treatise, Our Immoral Soul is a strongly recommended addition to Judaic Studies supplemental reading lists and reference collections.