Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of Hasidic Masters

Just re-read this over Shabbat - This book is a compilation of lectures by Prof. Elie Wiesel on the beginnings of modern Chassidism in Central and Eastern Europe starting in the mid 1700's. Prof. Wiesel starts with the legendary founder, Rebbe Israel Baal Shem Tov, whose whole existence is cloaked in mystery - and progresses through his students to the 2nd and 3rd generations of rebbes and chassids, including such luminaries as Rebbe Nachman of Breslev and Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. The author really brings these figures alive with his unique mix of story-telling and teaching - it's a great introduction to the world of early chassidut in 18th-19th century Eastern Europe.

I love this book. When I first read it, I'd heard of the Ba'al Shem Tov but knew very little about him and less about his followers. This book wasn't just "about" them, it gave me a sense of who they were and why the are so much beloved by so many. Souls on Fire feels like listening to your uncle who visits rarely and tells the most interesting stories. If you have any interest at all in Elie Wiesel, Jewish history, or religious inspiration, do yourself a favor and read this book. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Not only interesting material and spiritually useful, it's brilliantly written. Prose is elegant. Only issue is the total absence of women from the narrative and the recurrent assumption that the suffering of his own community is more meaningful and worse than that of others. So, brilliant work with some blind spots.

What a great introduction to the stories of the Hasidic fathers! While Elie Wiesel is best known for his very important book "Night", This book shows how broad his writing skills are as it is a both deep and fun to read. If I had to give it an additional name, I would call it "Light".

I’ve bought many copies of this book for all my friends, it’s my fav book I’ve ever read. He captures the essence of Chassidus perfectly. A must read for anyone trying to be an Oveid Hashem Al Derech Chassidus

I had not heard of this book until a friend loaned me his copy. After reading it I knew I needed my own copy which I received through my Kindle. This is really a rather sacred book. Wiesel uses Rabbinical stories to teach and he does so very effectively. The book consists of four stories that teach wisdom for life. This book amazes me, I cannot recommend it too highly. There are only a few books that I feel most of us will treasure. For me, SOUL ON FIRE is definitely one of those for me. The book is available both in paperback and for the Kindle.

I haven't read this book yet. It is in line as the next one up. I can only say the book inside and outside flaps and preface seem to hint of a very stimulating and "don't stop reading" feeling. Will re-review after it is read. The book came quickly and in perfect condition. Great job to all concerned.

Fascinating sketches of Hasidic legends. Thought provoking and stirring at the same time. Some passage are beyond bearing and yet retain exquisite and heart-wrenching beauty.

Read this for incredible (true) stories about the various Hassidic Masters, and find out how modern many of them were, unlike some of their present day adherents who seem to have frozen the living movement in a time warp. By all means read Buber's sayings etc afterwards. If you need to.

Elie Wiesel nous fait revivre, avec la passion frémissante qui le caractérise, l'épopée et la vie de certains des grands patriarches juifs. Edifiant et passionnant.

The book is several years old and the pages smell of that. It is not dogeared any more than you might expect from that age. It arrive within the promised timing. Even the dust cover was in excellent shape.

Eli Wiesel is a master communicator and this combining of two of his works enables one to purchase a complete set on his chronological biographies of the early Chasidic Masters. As one can expect from this author he gets to the heart and spirit of this important area of Jewish belief.

When I opened the package and took the book out it came out in two parts. It had separated from the spine on page 118/119. I have used tape to put it together as I needed the book. Therefore I paid too much as damaged. It did not say this on the selling advertisement. I did receive the book earlier than first stated so grateful for that.