As an orthodox Ashkanazi Jew, I hear all the time that the way we practice is the same as we've been doing it for thousands of years (albeit with influences by the Ba'al Shem Tov, the mussar movement, a new devotion to gemorah learning, etc) - the way we daven, learning styles and amount of learning, a sometimes overly intellectual and cold perspective, hashgafa, strict adherence and focus on halacha, etc.

However, I read a book called Magic of the Ordinary, and I'm now wondering how similar our current practices are to ancient Judaism. The book claims ancient Judaism was somewhat aligned with Native American culture/practice (obviously without the avoda zara), and that the term Judeo-Christian values is completely off.

He writes that we had a close relationship with the earth, trees, and nature, and that neviim even utilized bird feathers, incantations, and holy symbols in the dirt to reach HaShem. He also writes that the rabbaim, in the face of witch hunts and the inquisition, decided to make Judaism appear to align more with Catholicism to appease the Church and witch hunters, so the connection with the earth and "magic" or mysticism was downplayed heavily.

So, can anyone recommend any sefarim or Torah sources that talk about this?

As an orthodox Ashkanazi Jew, I hear all the time that the way we practice is the same as we've been doing it for thousands of years (albeit with influences by the Ba'al Shem Tov, the mussar movement, a new devotion to gemorah learning, etc) - the way we daven, learning styles and amount of learning, a sometimes overly intellectual and cold perspective, hashgafa, strict adherence and focus on halacha, etc.

However, I read a book called Magic of the Ordinary, and I'm now wondering how similar our current practices are to ancient Judaism. The book claims ancient Judaism was somewhat aligned with Native American culture/practice (obviously without the avoda zara), and that the term Judeo-Christian values is completely off.

He writes that we had a close relationship with the earth, trees, and nature, and that neviim even utilized bird feathers, incantations, and holy symbols in the dirt to reach HaShem. He also writes that the rabbaim, in the face of witch hunts and the inquisition, decided to make Judaism appear to align more with Catholicism to appease the Church and witch hunters, so the connection with the earth and "magic" or mysticism was downplayed heavily.

So, can anyone recommend any sefarim or Torah sources that compare the rites and dogmas of ancient Judaism to modern Orthodox Judaism?

As an orthodox Ashkanazi Jew, I hear all the time that the way we practice is the same as we've been doing it for thousands of years (albeit with influences by the Ba'al Shem Tov, the mussar movement, a new devotion to gemorah learning, etc). The way we daven, learning styles and amount of learning, a sometimes overly intellectual and cold perspective, hashgafa, strict adherence and focus on halacha, etc.

However, I read a book called Magic of the Ordinary, and I'm now wondering how similar our current practices are to ancient Judaism. The book claims ancient Judaism was somewhat aligned with Native American culture/practice (obviously without the avoda zara), and that the term Judeo-Christian values is completely off.

He writes that we had a close relationship with the earth, trees, and nature, and that neviim even utilized bird feathers, incantations, and holy symbols in the dirt to reach HaShem. He also writes that the rabbaim, in the face of witch hunts and the inquisition, decided to make Judaism appear to align more with Catholicism to appease the Church and witch hunters, so the connection with the earth and "magic" or mysticism was downplayed heavily.

So, how close is how we practice today aligned with our ancient practices?

As an orthodox Ashkanazi Jew, I hear all the time that the way we practice is the same as we've been doing it for thousands of years (albeit with influences by the Ba'al Shem Tov, the mussar movement, a new devotion to gemorah learning, etc) - the way we daven, learning styles and amount of learning, a sometimes overly intellectual and cold perspective, hashgafa, strict adherence and focus on halacha, etc.

However, I read a book called Magic of the Ordinary, and I'm now wondering how similar our current practices are to ancient Judaism. The book claims ancient Judaism was somewhat aligned with Native American culture/practice (obviously without the avoda zara), and that the term Judeo-Christian values is completely off.

He writes that we had a close relationship with the earth, trees, and nature, and that neviim even utilized bird feathers, incantations, and holy symbols in the dirt to reach HaShem. He also writes that the rabbaim, in the face of witch hunts and the inquisition, decided to make Judaism appear to align more with Catholicism to appease the Church and witch hunters, so the connection with the earth and "magic" or mysticism was downplayed heavily.

So, can anyone recommend any sefarim or Torah sources that talk about this?