Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond Grief [Hardcover]

Maurice Lamm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2004

In this, his sequel to the best-selling The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (over 350,000 copies sold), Rabbi Lamm helps mourners not just get through their grief, but also grow through it. He gently steers mourners on the path that allows their sorrow to teach them important lessons about life. And he shows consolers how to listen and speak with their hearts so that they can provide real comfort to others.

His marvelous insights on the days of shiva, the year of kaddish, and the lovingkindness of others reveal the richness and true purpose of Jewish mourning rituals and customs. They prepare us to receive consolation and ready us for the journey that will take us beyond grief.

His “Words for a Loss When at a Loss for Words” is a treasury of readings for finding and giving comfort by transforming the spiritual ideas of an ancient faith into contemporary language. Here there are stories and fables that illuminate our complicated lives, meditations from the depths of human experience, and a gallery of unforgettable images that speak to our souls during times of loss.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Rife with allusions to Talmudic commentators, philosophers, psychologists and literary giants, Rabbi Lamm's opus on mourning speaks to an educated audience. Those who are already familiar with Lamm's teachings and style may find it easier reading than those seeking instant consolation. The depth and demeanor of these pages require a level of concentration that renders them almost inappropriate for the recent mourner. Instead, just as many people purchase travel guides before visiting a new place, this book should be considered a guide to the inevitable journey through bereavement. Like a Living Will or Power of Attorney document, readers will want to have familiarized themselves with the book before they actually need the information it contains. Lamm addresses the Jewish laws and traditions of death as well as the very human feelings, frustrations and concerns associated with ultimate loss. His theme ultimately remains optimistic: despair "teaches us about our inner strength"; encourages us to ask "le'mah" (for what) rather than "lamah" (why) and culminates reassuringly in the words of the Psalmist, "They that sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy." Unfortunately, readers may miss many of Lamm's fine, lustrous pearls of parable, story and anecdote, since they are deeply embedded in a loquacious and sometimes repetitive work.
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Review

"A very wise and helpful guide, this book will have crossover appeal for non-Jewish readers and is highly recommended..." -- Library Journal, February 1, 2004

"Elegantly written, this eloquent and poetic book affirms life even as it confronts death." -- Chicago Jewish Star, September 24, 2004

"This book is a gold mine for all clergy, professionals and comforters. A tour de force!" -- Samuel C. Klagsbrun, MD, Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Psychiatry, Jewish Theological Seminary

"[I]highly recommend...to anyone who has suffered a loss and to those who wish to[understand]...the Jewish way of grieving." -- Jewish Book World, Winter 2004

Although the subject is grounded in sadness, this is...a life-affirming book. Powerful, profound... written in an accessible style..." -- The Jewish Week, July 30, 2004

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society (February 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827607644
• ISBN-13: 978-0827607644
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advice for dealing with difficult transitions, May 13, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond Grief (Paperback)

Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond By Grief by Maurice Lamm (Founder and President of the National Institute for Jewish Hospice and Professor at Yeshiva University's Rabbinical Seminary, New York) teaches the reader how to bring consolation to those struggling with grief and loss. Though intended especially for those of the Jewish faith, the spiritual and healing principles transcend individual religious affiliations. From restoring a fragmented soul to learning how to make one's own future rather than settle for one, Consolation is a powerful compendium of advice for dealing with difficult transitions, and as useful for friends helping friends in need as it is for professional counselors and religious leaders.

5.0 out of 5 stars The book i s a consolation, March 18, 2009

By 

C. Evenari - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond Grief (Hardcover)

When you really suffer (I found it hard, for instance, to get used to the fact, that my husband died, and I have difficulty to get over it), you
will really be helped, and after reading this book, you are able to feel
consolation.
A wonderful book!