What do we know?: The Carlebach Anthology

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s Torah of the Heart has touched many souls through, music, prayer, stories, teachings, and friendship. Shlomo touched an entire generation and enlivened sparks in so many people − each person received something different. Most people were touched through Shlomo’s heart music and spiritual prayer. Many people also contemplated Shlomo’s words and incorporated them into personal philosophies, understandings, and teachings.This anthology of writings gives a glimpse of how various people viewed Shlomo and his Torah. The writings include memoirs and perspectives from philosophy, psychology, and spirituality. There is discussion, reflection, and praise. The second part of the book contains a generous selection of teachings, stories, and interview in Shlomo’s own words.The essays are somewhat fragmented and sometimes get off-topic but also contain many gems. I especially liked the essays by Nehemia Polen, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, and Barry Barkan.Shlomo’s teachings and stories are good -- a little difficult to read in places... perhaps they needed more editing.Amazon’s description of the book is accurate. I would say this book is limited to a Jewish audience who is either familiar with Shlomo or who understands Jewish terms. I would have liked an introduction to the book and perhaps a timeline of Shlomo’s life. Each chapter can be read separately and the larger print is easy on the eyes. There is no glossary or index. Contains a dozen photos. 470 pages. April 2017.For Shlomo's Torah teachings, see this excellent book:  The Torah Commentary of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Genesis, Part I

some nice articles. liked the interview with reb shlomo. some of articles not so great and have nothing to do with reb shlomo but besides for that

First and foremost, I highly recommend the anthology, What Do We Know? It covers a wide range of topics, such as Rabbi Trugman’s essay, “Comparing the Educational Strategies of the Ba’al Shem Tov and Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach” which provides a unique and perceptive angle on the thought, strategies and life-missions of both these luminaries, the one, in the 18th century, the second, in the 20th century, and Rute Yair-Nussbaum’s thought-provoking essay, The Existential Challenge of Brokenness: Principles in the Thought of Reb Shlomo Carlebach.” These, and many more of the insightful essays on an academic level, make this book a treasury of food for deep thought.In addition, I was delighted to see Chief Rabbi, HaRav Yisrael Meir Lau’s extremely moving eulogy, excellently translated by Rachel Ebner, within the pages of this volume.Moreover, I was delighted to read Neila Carlebach’s beautifully written excerpt from her memoir, colorfully portraying how she first met her husband-to-be, and await to read her promisingly engaging book.I must also mention Rabbi Meir “Mickey” Rosen’s in-depth interview with Reb Shlomo in front of an audience at Yakar in the summer of 1994, transcribed by Rabbi Betzalel Edwards and included in this anthology. This transcription picks up the nuances and the touches of humor in this insightful interview. I relived watching the video as I read it.Rabbi Joe and Reuven Goldfarb: you have both done an excellent job in bringing so many aspects: academic, theological and philosophical, historical and personal, mystical and of course, musical, and even the poetic, and thereby bringing out so many unique insights into the life, thought and work of this master.An excellent anthology for the thoughtful reader.

Received two copies of "What Do We Know?" erev Shabbos. What a lovely gift! Immediately, Patricia and I began reading our own copies (kind of like a book club).It is indeed a great accomplishment and a wonderful contribution to understanding the Shlomo legacy. I am only 50 pages into the book and am enjoying the intelligent and articulate writers (including yourself) who attempt to demystify and decode one of the most interesting and enigmatic personalities I personally have encountered thus far in my 70 years.Having spent 100's of hours learning, producing, playing,recording, feeding, and hanging out privately with the man, I was always amazed at the degree of his "unknowablilty".Respecting his "holy aloneness," I was allowed glimpses of many facets of Shlomo few have seen. Both Patricia and I are grateful that we always treasured our private time with Shlomo and never took it for granted.There were private moments — when Shlomo and I prepared for recording "Days are Coming" — that he brought down some of his famous niggunim while I affirmed their beauty with a counter melody.Fortunate are we who had so much intimate contact with such a great soul.It always amazes me how his legacy of niggunim, tapes, videos, etc, are able to inspire so completely those souls who never met him in this life.Your book will serve this legacy well, and may and your family merit all good for producing this great contribution to the Jewish world.With love and blessings,Neil and Patricia