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54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Faithful View of Our Favorite Psalm, February 12, 2004
Rabbi Harold S. Kushner is one of the best known authors of our time, having written the classic book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. This, his ninth book, was one of the top ten best selling religious books of the past year. As the title indicates, it is a study of Psalm 23, certainly the most beloved of all of the Psalms. Dr. Kushner writes with a pastor's heart and a special eye toward the healing wisdom to be found in that portion of God's Word.
If you are looking for a book about putting your spiritual life into meaningful practice, you might wish to read this book. It is filled with inspiration and encouragement for an ongoing trusting relationship with God. Kushner takes each phrase of the Psalm as his chapter headings, and verse by verse, provides insight and practical suggestions for how to make these truths come alive each day.
Throughout the book, Kushner utilizes his vast knowledge of the original Hebrew text to help the reader understand the nuances of the words such as "soul" and "cup". He explains the nuances of what the soul is and why the soul needs nourishing. He states, "The world asks so much of us. We give ourselves so totally to our work, to the task of raising our family and running a home that we often forget to take time to nourish our souls..." (page 61).
The fact that God helps us "feel safe in an unsafe world" (page 50) is the Psalmist's theme, repeated and emphasized in every line. Drawing from the world of science and literature, art and great works of theology, this deceptively small book is filled with encouragement and blessing.
Occasionally, Christians forgo reading Jewish authors, forgetting that Judaism is the forerunner of our own faith in Jesus Christ. That would be a mistake. For, here, we have a work that is sacred to both of our traditions, presented by an acclaimed author, dedicated scholar and proven congregational leader. Dr. Kushner is Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts. He has been honored by the Christophers as one of fifty people who have made the world a better place and by Religion in American Life as their Clergyman of the Year in 1999. This is a book to read, give and savor over time.
If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction.
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59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two Inspiring Books for the Thinking Person, September 25, 2003
During the early summer, two of my best friends, both women in their 40's, died of breast cancer. I searched for books that would offer me help with my grieving, and a perspective on what I was going through. Most of the books I found were long on faith and hope, and short on thought. And then I discovered two books, both recently published, that saved my life. These were Harold Kushner's "The Lord is My Shepherd" and Dennis Shulman's "The Genius of Genesis." I thank Harold Kushner and Dennis Shulman for giving me a way of understanding life and death in a broader context. Both of these books tenderly guided me toward understanding and healing, and, for this, I am grateful.
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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The cup runneth over..., June 5, 2004
Harold Kushner is probably best known for his popular book, 'When Bad Things Happen to Good People'. Kushner, a rabbi by profession, showed in that book that he could transcend the barriers that differences in religion can create, and reach a broad audience with general spiritual appeal. This text, 'The Lord is My Shepherd', of course comes from the 23rd psalm, a staple of liturgy, personal prayer and solace to Christians and Jews of all persuasions. As chaplain at a retirement centre, I find this psalm is very powerful almost universally among the residents; for those in the special care/Alzheimer unit, when often nothing else reaches in, this psalm is still there, on the lips of people who have forgotten the greater part of their lives - the words of this psalm still spring forth from their lips. It is this kind of depth and healing power that Kushner writes of in this wonderful little book. Looking at the psalm line by line, he explores the depths and breadths of the meanings that come forth. In fifteen short lines that most people in the English-speaking world have committed to heart (Kushner remarks that there is likely no other chapter of the Bible that holds that distinction), there is power. People are resistant to language changes - the King James Version is still the preferred one here, partly because the language hasn't changed that much, and partly because the power of the cadence of the words, crafted so powerfully in the early modern English translation. This psalm responds to a deep need in the human soul. It contains theology and spirituality, to be sure, but it in reality consists of images - calm waters, green grass, a caring and strong shepherd, the very definition of 'pastoral'. The world might be dangerous - yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - but still, God is with us, and we need have no fears. God rejoices with us, God struggles with us, and ultimately, God welcomes us home - I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The theology here is very practical, one that gives pastors a ready tool, and one that gives everyone a resource for their own connection and reassurance from God. Even though we no longer live in a society were shepherds hold such vital roles, we can relate automatically to the image. Although we rarely like as people or as individuals to be equated to 'being sheep', we nonetheless respond favourably to the comforting spirit of this psalm. As significant as what is in the psalm, it is also notable for what is missing. There is no fire and brimstone here, save perhaps in the evil the shepherd guards against. There is no judgment, no apocalypse, no tribulation - there is power, and there is guidance and protection, but God here is a God of compassion and love, full stop. As Kushner states in his introduction, this is a book that was forty years in the making. Kushner brings all of his experience as a rabbi to bear in the development of the text, integrating theological, historical and philosophical information with personal reflection and ministerial experience. It is easy to see in this volume why Kushner was honoured as clergyman of the year and author of one of the most influential books in many persons' lives. Surely goodness and mercy is here. Take and read.
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