Editing Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (section)

== Themes and innovations ==
Schachter-Shalomi's work reflects several recurring themes, including:

*"[[Paradigm shift]]s" within Judaism
* New approaches to [[halakha]] (Jewish law) including "psycho-halakha" (as of 2007, called "integral halakha") and doctrines like [[Eco-Kashrut|eco-kashrut]]
*The importance of [[interfaith dialogue]] and "deep ecumenism" (meaningful connections between traditions)
* "[[Four Worlds]]" Judaism (integrating the Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, and Spiritual realms)

He was committed to the [[Gaia hypothesis]], to [[feminism]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/28501856|title=Zalman Schachter Shalomi: Dreaming Beyond Gender Essentialism |first=Eugene |last=Matanky|date=January 2017 |website=[[Academia.edu]] }}</ref> and to full inclusion of [[LGBT]] people within Judaism. His innovations in [[Jewish worship]] include chanting prayers in English while retaining the traditional Hebrew structures and melodies, engaging {{transliteration|yi|davenners}} (worshipers) in theological dialogue, leading meditation during services<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/12893735|title=Between Meditative Prayer and Prayerful Meditation: Prayer in the Age of Aquarius in the Thought of Zalman Schachter-Shalomi|first=Eugene |last=Matanky|date=January 2016 |website=[[Academia.edu]]}}</ref> and the introduction of spontaneous movement and dance. Many of these techniques have also found their way into the more mainstream Jewish community.

Schachter-Shalomi encouraged diversity among his students and urged them to bring their own talents, vision, views and social justice values to the study and practice of Judaism. Based on the Hasidic writings of Rabbi [[Mordechai Yosef Leiner]] of Izbitz, he taught that anything, even what others consider sin and heresy, could be God's will.

His major academic work, ''Spiritual Intimacy: A study of Counseling in Hasidism'', was the result of his doctoral research into the system of spiritual direction cultivated within Chabad Hasidism.<ref name="CJT" /> This led to his encouragement of students to study widely in the field of [[Spiritual Direction]] (one-on-one counseling) and to innovate contemporary systems to help renew a healthy spirituality in Jewish life. He also pioneered the practice of "spiritual eldering", working with fellow seniors on coming to spiritual terms with aging and becoming mentors for younger adults.

=== Typology of Hasidic rebbes ===
Schachter-Shalomi theorized that the historical [[Rebbe|Hasidic Rebbes]] may be viewed as occupying one or several of the following roles or functions in relation to their support of their followers:<ref>{{cite book|title=Spiritual Intimacy: A Study of Counseling in Hasidism|first=Zalman Meshullam|last=Schachter-Shalomi|publisher=Jason Aronson|year=1991}}</ref>{{rp|59–71}}
* ''The Rav'' &ndash; This role refers to Hasidic Rebbes who also served as ordained rabbis serving Jewish communities. Examples of this type cited by Schachter-Shalomi include [[Shmelke of Nikolsburg]] and [[Pinchas Horowitz]]. For some Hasidic Rebbes, such as [[Chaim Halberstam]] of Sanz, the term Rav was used instead of Rebbe.
* ''The Good Jew'' &ndash; This role, known in [[Yiddish]] as the ''Guter Yid'', refers to a popular Hasidic Rebbe who is viewed as enjoying God's favor and whose legacies spoke to the conditions of struggling Hasidim. This role was viewed as a continuation of the Talmudic legacy of individuals such as [[Honi HaMe'agel]]. Examples of Hasidic Rebbes of this type cited include [[Aryeh Leib of Shpola]] and [[Berish Bal-tshuve|Berishil of Krakow]].
* ''The Seer'' &ndash; This role, known in [[Hebrew]] as the ''Chozeh'', refers to a Hasidic Rebbe to whom prophetic powers were ascribed. Examples of this type cited include the [[Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin|Seer of Lublin]] and his student [[Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov]].
* ''The Miracle Worker'' &ndash; This role, known in Hebrew as the ''Ba'al Mofet'', was often assumed by Hasidim to involve expertise in [[Practical Kabbalah]]. Examples cited include [[Radoshitz (Hasidic dynasty)|Ber of Radoshitz]].
* ''The Healer'' &ndash; This role is understood as involving more than mere healing but also involved the expectation that the Hasid would alter his behavior to merit healing.
** ''The Gaon'' &ndash; A variant of the healer-type was the Talmudic genius (''gaon'') who could offer blessing through the merit of his Talmudic study. This tradition was not limited to Hasidism but also was applied to non-Hasidic rabbis such as [[Yechezkel Landau]] of Prague and the [[Gaon of Vilna]].
* ''The Son or Grandson of the Tzaddik'' &ndash; This role applied to Hasidic Rebbes who would utilize ancestral merit of a Hasidic predecessor to invoke blessing. In Yiddish, the term ''eynikl'' (grandson) would sometimes be used. Often, this role involved the use of petitions at the gravesite of the Hasidic predecessor. Examples cited of this type include [[Boruch of Medzhybizh]] who was the grandson of the [[Baal Shem Tov]], the founder of Hasidism.
* ''The Block Rebbe'' &ndash; This type is viewed to have developed in New York City from 1900 to 1940 and involved a grandfatherly role to local Jewish residents.
* ''The Kabbalist'' &ndash; This role, also known in Hebrew as the ''Ba'al M'kubal'', involved expertise in the theoretical teachings of Jewish mysticism. Examples cited include [[Shneur Zalman of Lyady]] (the founder of [[Chabad]] Hasidism), [[Yisroel Hopstein]] (the Maggid of Kozhnitz), and [[Komarno (Hasidic dynasty)|Isaac of Komarno]].
* ''The Spiritual Guide'' &ndash; This role, known in Hebrew as the ''Moreh Derekh'' ("Teacher of the Path"), reflects the Hasidic notion that Rebbe is the expert on matters of the Love and Fear of God. The Hasidic Rebbe [[Aharon Roth]] reportedly insisted on the use of this term. While Schachter-Shalomi notes that Hasidim valued the living guide over the use of books, some Rebbes, such as [[Sholom Dovber Schneersohn|Shalom Dovber of Lubavitch]], wrote various tracts for different types of spiritual seekers.
* ''The Tzaddik of the Generation'' &ndash; This role, known in Hebrew as ''Tzaddik HaDor'', or ''Rashey Alafim'' ("Head of Thousands"), invokes the stature of Biblical leaders and is viewed mystically as the conduit of all blessing for the Jewish people of that generation.