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Stalking Elijah: Adventures with Today's Jewish Mystical Masters
Rodger Kamenetz continues the dazzling spiritual adventures he began in The Jew in the Lotus, his bestselling account of the historical dialogue between rabbis and the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. In Stalking Elijah, Kamenetz takes his wild mind on the road, seeking the counsel of spiritual teachers across the country as he searches for his own Jewish truth. Entertaining, illuminating, and deeply moving, Stalking Elijah takes us all on a remarkable journey through the new landscape of Jewish practice.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 16, 2025
"Start From Where You Are"
"Stalking Elija: Adventures with Today's Jewish Mystical Masters" (1997) is a sequel to Kamenetz's "The Jew in the Lotus" which recounts a visit of Jewish thinkers of various backgrounds and persuasions to Dharmsala, India, the home of the Tibetan Government in exile, to discuss the secret of Jewish survival in the diaspora with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders. The book, and the discussions, went far beyond that topic, however, and centered upon an inter-faith dialogue between the Jewish leaders and the Tibetans on the nature of their religious beliefs and practices.
In "Stalking Elijah", Kamenetz tries to find his way back to a Jewish observance using the insights he had gleaned from his meeting with the Tibetans. In other words, he undertakes a journey from Dhramasala to Judaism. The book recounts Kamenetz's meetings with Jewish spiritual leaders, most of whom practice a form of "mystical" or contemplative Judaism in Kamenetz's attempt to recover something of Judaism for himself.
I was frustrated by the book and found it hard to write about it. The book strikes me as self-indulgent and as unduly polemical. Also, Kamenetz's discussions of his meetings with his teachers are superficial. We don't really see enough of the teachers to get a good feeling for what they have to say.
The most valuable theme of the book, for me, is given in the title of this review. This is advice given by one of the Rabbi's to whom Kamenetz turns for spiritual advice, an ex-Lubavitcher Rabbi who, like Kamenetz, visited the Dalai Lama. In the context of the book, the Rabbi advises the author to begin where he is in life in his search for spiritual enlightenment. Thus, Kamenetz finds he his to work within the scope of his Jewish background and learning, and follow a Jewish path to define and to realize his religious goals. The advice to "start from where you are" is wise, I think, beyond the use to which it is placed here. In every walk of life at every stage, the beginning of wisdom is to "start from where you are" rather than to try to be someone else or to be discontented with one's life. Good rabbinical advice, and good Buddhist advice too.
In addition to this component of the book, I found the final chapter describing a Passover seder in Dharamasala attended by Jews and Tibetan Buddhists well written. It can stand alone as an essay.
The book is of mixed merit, but its goal and message are valuable.
Robin Friedman
"Stalking Elija: Adventures with Today's Jewish Mystical Masters" (1997) is a sequel to Kamenetz's "The Jew in the Lotus" which recounts a visit of Jewish thinkers of various backgrounds and persuasions to Dharmsala, India, the home of the Tibetan Government in exile, to discuss the secret of Jewish survival in the diaspora with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders. The book, and the discussions, went far beyond that topic, however, and centered upon an inter-faith dialogue between the Jewish leaders and the Tibetans on the nature of their religious beliefs and practices.
In "Stalking Elijah", Kamenetz tries to find his way back to a Jewish observance using the insights he had gleaned from his meeting with the Tibetans. In other words, he undertakes a journey from Dhramasala to Judaism. The book recounts Kamenetz's meetings with Jewish spiritual leaders, most of whom practice a form of "mystical" or contemplative Judaism in Kamenetz's attempt to recover something of Judaism for himself.
I was frustrated by the book and found it hard to write about it. The book strikes me as self-indulgent and as unduly polemical. Also, Kamenetz's discussions of his meetings with his teachers are superficial. We don't really see enough of the teachers to get a good feeling for what they have to say.
The most valuable theme of the book, for me, is given in the title of this review. This is advice given by one of the Rabbi's to whom Kamenetz turns for spiritual advice, an ex-Lubavitcher Rabbi who, like Kamenetz, visited the Dalai Lama. In the context of the book, the Rabbi advises the author to begin where he is in life in his search for spiritual enlightenment. Thus, Kamenetz finds he his to work within the scope of his Jewish background and learning, and follow a Jewish path to define and to realize his religious goals. The advice to "start from where you are" is wise, I think, beyond the use to which it is placed here. In every walk of life at every stage, the beginning of wisdom is to "start from where you are" rather than to try to be someone else or to be discontented with one's life. Good rabbinical advice, and good Buddhist advice too.
In addition to this component of the book, I found the final chapter describing a Passover seder in Dharamasala attended by Jews and Tibetan Buddhists well written. It can stand alone as an essay.
The book is of mixed merit, but its goal and message are valuable.
Robin Friedman
April 24, 2023
This book is the follow-up to The Jew in the Lotus, a recording of the author’s meetings with the Dalai Lama in India. He was not alone for that journey, but was serving as a journalist attached to a delegation of Jews who were asked there with the express aim of discussing and advising the Dalai Lama on the challenges of spiritual survival in exile. The experience affected the author so profoundly, he resolved to deepen his own practice of Judaism thereafter. This book, published six years later, describes the “Elijahs” or spiritual teachers he sought out in that time.
At the outset, I should make clear that the book is decidedly non-Orthodox. Though the author feels a keen sense of his Jewish identity, he did not want to lose any of his Eastern influences, so he found himself attracted to the Renewal movement, which is kind of a New Age approach to Judaism. At least two of his “Elijahs” were educated in Orthodox yeshivos, though, so the book includes enough teachings from traditional Judaism that this Orthodox reader wasn’t completely at sea. I’d even go so far as to say that the book motivated me to improve my concentration when reciting blessings. I also read over a beautiful vort on the Pesach Haggadah, which I told over to my son over yom tov.
Many hardline Orthodox Jews might be put off by this book. It definitely takes an open mind to appreciate it. But there is Torah to be learned here, as well as other interesting tidbits about Jewish history. For example, the author claims that Kafka’s The Metamorphosis was based on the life of his friend, Jiri Langer, who became a chossid and thereby alienated his family. I’d never heard of Jiri Langer before, but his writings were in the footnotes, so I put them on my to-read list. I took similar notes on other parts of the book. One chapter was all about “the House of Teshuva,” a Jewish halfway house in Los Angeles. It sounded like a place of incredible chessed, like Avrohom’s aishel in modern times.
If you’re an Orthodox Jew who can keep an open mind about “different” practices, you’ll gain something from this book. But if you think Eastern-style meditation has no place in Judaism, then I strongly recommend you skip it.
At the outset, I should make clear that the book is decidedly non-Orthodox. Though the author feels a keen sense of his Jewish identity, he did not want to lose any of his Eastern influences, so he found himself attracted to the Renewal movement, which is kind of a New Age approach to Judaism. At least two of his “Elijahs” were educated in Orthodox yeshivos, though, so the book includes enough teachings from traditional Judaism that this Orthodox reader wasn’t completely at sea. I’d even go so far as to say that the book motivated me to improve my concentration when reciting blessings. I also read over a beautiful vort on the Pesach Haggadah, which I told over to my son over yom tov.
Many hardline Orthodox Jews might be put off by this book. It definitely takes an open mind to appreciate it. But there is Torah to be learned here, as well as other interesting tidbits about Jewish history. For example, the author claims that Kafka’s The Metamorphosis was based on the life of his friend, Jiri Langer, who became a chossid and thereby alienated his family. I’d never heard of Jiri Langer before, but his writings were in the footnotes, so I put them on my to-read list. I took similar notes on other parts of the book. One chapter was all about “the House of Teshuva,” a Jewish halfway house in Los Angeles. It sounded like a place of incredible chessed, like Avrohom’s aishel in modern times.
If you’re an Orthodox Jew who can keep an open mind about “different” practices, you’ll gain something from this book. But if you think Eastern-style meditation has no place in Judaism, then I strongly recommend you skip it.
November 9, 2019
By the end of the book I hated this author. He seemed to contradict his own spiritual wisdom. He spoke about getting beyond ego but this book seems to about how cool his is hanging out with the great spiritual sages of his time. He really did not give many examples of how he implemented this wonderful spiritual advice into his daily life. I thought often of his wife who was home raising kids, paying bills, fixing the car, and taking out the trash - while he was indulging this rich man's eccentric quest. I also think this guy is really suggestible and half of what he experienced as religious escasty is merely that.
May 6, 2023
very interesting at points, drags a little in the middle and it feels like it spends a lot of time with this jonathan figure who doesn't resonate with me as much as reb zalman for example. but there are enough insightful and inspiring moments to make up for it in my eyes. the kind of partially ecstatic, partially grounded, partially rebellious, partially traditional judaism that feels really meaningful and passionate to me.
April 3, 2025
I found the title of the book very misleading. I thought there would be information on the biblical and the historic Elijah. Or at least about Jewish Mysticism. Not so. It's a book about Buddhism? And how Jewish people can engage in meditation. The flavor of a personal journal: I this, I that, it changed my life this and that. Big nope.
December 10, 2019
Kamenetz goes around to a bunch of OG's asking them about their thoughts on the spiritual viability of Judaism today.
If you like books like this you'll love my project:
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If you like books like this you'll love my project:
http://youtube.com/c/seekersofunity?s...
April 11, 2015
This is really part two of the Jew in The Lotus, where JitL takes place in India this primarily takes place in America. Kamenetz criss crosses the country talking with many different Jewish spiritual masters--I purposely use that term because these men and women are closer to new age, Buddhist teachers than your typical Rabbi's. A great book, one I'm sure I'll be coming back to as I look to glean more knowledge or research certain techniques, etc. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Jewish Meditation, Jewish spirituality, etc.
December 8, 2007
It is slow, because it is journal entries, but it gives helpful insights into the amazing emergence/history/network of those individuals who resonate with the Jewish tradition and Buddhist practices and approaches.
August 5, 2012
This wonderful spiritual journey brought meant things that touched me deeply
July 24, 2013
Excellent! Challenging! Kamenetz is deeply reflective!
September 14, 2008
The brilliant and perfect next book to read after The Jew in the Lotus.
December 19, 2014
Searching for my Jewish spiritual life with Roger Kamenetz. Worthy of slow contemplation.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews