Rabbi, teacher and philosopher Rami Shapiro has been asking and answering questions since he was 16 years old. This is when he decided that he wanted two things out of life: he wanted to explore spirituality, and he wanted to write books. It seems both dreams have come true with the publication of his newest book, “The Angelic Way: Angels Through the Ages and Their Meaning for Us.”
In “The Angelic Way,” Shapiro explores the idea of angels, including our perception of them.
“Whatever you may believe about angels, one way to look at them is as metaphors for states of consciousness that you and I both can activate, “ Shapiro said.
He said angels are each person’s own spiritual psychology and in religion, they are internal states written as external stories.
Rami Shapiro has been interested in religious studies since he was a young man, and he has been able to share his knowledge in several ways, including teaching, both in classrooms and in synagogues, in the publication of his books and on his blog.
Shapiro earned a Ph.D. in Religion and went to rabbinical school for ordination. After his time in the Air Force, Shapiro started a synagogue in Miami, Fla., and he was a congregational rabbi for 20 years. He has taught in many places, but for the past five years, Shapiro has been teaching students at Middle Tennessee State University. This semester, he is teaching a class titled “The Bible and American Spirituality.” He says there are many differences between leading a congregation and guiding students in a classroom.
Rami Shapiro
“The interest in the synagogue world is on getting people more involved in the Jewish community, more involved in the practice,” Shapiro said. He finds teaching in a classroom more interesting because students ask questions.
“I’m a philosopher,” Shapiro explained. “I like the ideas.”
Students, he said, have a different way of exploring religion and spirituality. They are less likely to take the boxed-up “truth,” and they ask questions about the meaning and purpose of life. This appeals to his philosophical side because he said he never stops questioning. Shapiro said answers are not the point; the questioning is.
This philosophical side has led Rami Shapiro to write books on an array of different topics. Some topics are religious, while others appeal to a wider readership, such as his books on the 12-step program used by such organizations as Alcoholics Anonymous and on love and kindness. By writing, Shapiro finds he is able to research a topic without guilt.
“I get the excuse to really explore it and not feel like I should be doing something else,” Shapiro said. “I’m writing a book on this, so i can read all about it.”
Shapiro’s blog is another place where he can explore interesting topics and share his thoughts on any subject. He tries to post topics twice a week, but he writes everyday.
“I did this blog to keep my brain going,” Shapiro said. He explained that it is like having a conversation, with immediate response from his readers. This dialogue allows for readers to agree, disagree and add their own insight to Shapiro’s topics.
Rami Shapiro sees himself as an entrepreneur and a risk-taker, and he will be working on many projects in the future. He is writing a book about the misinterpretation of the Book of Ecclesiastes, which is due out in the fall. He also hopes to work on a book that combines viewpoints from different world religions and philosophies and make it a hand-held, traveling-type book. Shapiro understands that things are changing, and he is interested in evolving with the times.
“I am always looking for new ways to reach people with my ideas,” Shapiro said. “I read all the ‘what’s next’ stuff. I find that more interesting then what was.”
Shapiro’s books, blogs and philosophy can be accessed on his website, rabbirami.com.
