On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address engages with Dr. Herbert Levine, author of Blessed Are You, Wondrous Universe, a prayer book exploring the intersection of Judaism, science, and spirituality.

They discuss the concept of seekers in the Jewish tradition, the limitations of current religious practices, and the importance of community and music in enhancing spiritual experiences.

Dr. Levine shares his vision for a non-theistic prayer book that bridges the gap between intellectual honesty and emotional connection, aiming to create a more inclusive and meaningful Jewish practice.

About the book

Blessed Are You, Wondrous Universe: A Siddur for Seekers combines religion’s stance of wonder and gratitude with humanism’s commitment to facts and scientific method. It embraces a commitment to individual and collective responsibility for our lives drawing from both worlds.

In a traditional siddur, God is the ultimate actor whose intervention we seek, whether through blessing, redeeming, healing, or forgiving us. In this siddur, we praise the universe, the earth, and Jewish tradition. With respect to moral choices, we address ourselves: Humans are the agents who need to hear our own prayer.

Available in two editions: Comprehensive with complete Hebrew and English text and Compact with abridged and transliterated Hebrew. Both editions feature sheet music for original musical music commissioned for a selection of the prayers in this volume.

Advance praise for the book

“Herb Levine has fashioned a sparkling collection of prayers for a thinking, feeling modern person who wants to express gratitude for the wonder of existence.”
—Daniel Matt, translator of the Zohar, author of God and the Big Bang, The Essential Kabbalah, and Becoming Elijah

“A wonderful resource — inspirational, comforting, uplifting and insightful.”
—Rabbi Adam Chalom, co-author, Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices

“An exercise in holy audacity.”
—Dr. Shaul Magid, author, The Necessity of Exile

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About the Guest Dr. Herbert Levine

Herbert J. Levine, poet and scholar, has published two books of bi-lingual poems in Hebrew and English: Words for Blessing the World (2017) and An Added Soul: Poems for a New Old Religion (2020).  He has published scholarly books on Yeats and the Psalms and articles on Whitman and George Eliot. His work-in-progress is Blessed Are You, Awesome Cosmos! Siddur for a New Paradigm.

Published Works

An Added Soul: Poems for a New Old Religion (Ben Yehuda Press, 2020)
Words for Blessing the World: Poems in Hebrew and English (Ben Yehuda Press, 2017)

The post A Humanistic Approach to Jewish Prayer: Insights from Dr. Herbert Levine – Seekers of Meaning 10/31/2025 appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.