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The Lord Is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-third Psalm

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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.

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.

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.

This is a small volume which gives Rabbi Kushner's interpretation of each line of the much-recited 23rd psalm. One thing that may result from reading this book will be my directing more attention to the words of the psalm as I recite it in the future. I liked reading Rabbi Kushner's ideas because they weren't presented as fact, but only as his opinion. He did it in a way that caused me to think how I would interpret those very same lines. An especially nice touch was that he used examples from many philosophies and theologies rather than just basing his opinions on Jewish thought. This is a very nice book and one that lends itself to more than one reading by people of many religions.

I wasn't expecting much from this book when I picked it up. Beloved though its subject might be, how much can you say about a 15-line bit of verse - the 23rd Psalm ? But Rabbi Harold Kushner uses his compassion and intellect to unpack each line. Though informed by scholarship, this is not a dry scholarly exercise. Kushner uses each line as jumping-off point for a sermon on human v. divine nature, arguing that the heart of faith is not just believing in God, or thinking that God will fix our problems, but in feeling the assurance that God is present and hears us. To Kushner, comfort comes not from an assurance that God will save us from evil, but that with God we are never alone.

Along the way, we are treated to Kushner's insights about the Pieta, creative misinterpretations of Scripture, and a heavy dose of practical psychology, as gleaned from his own community and his audiences. The experience of his own son's death 20 years ago (of progeria, a rare genetic disorder that causes rapid aging and premature death) hangs over the entire work. Like the biblical Job, Kushner has wrestled with the meaning of death and how we can relate to God in the midst of death and suffering. Kushner's conclusions may challenge the easy answers grasped by some people of faith. But there is no doubt that he has walked through the valley of the shadow and emerged wiser and closer to God.

Kushner's reading of his own work (on the audio CD) is gentle, fatherly and soothing -- a glimpse into a soul full of holiness. A wonderful gift for any thoughtful Jew or Christian.

Over the centuries the Twenty-Third Psalm--a surprisingly short "chapter" in the bible--has been and continues to be a mainstay of comfort and solace for people representing a variety of religious beliefs and views about Diety. Now, in The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm, Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, also the author of the best-selling classic When Bad Things Happen to Good People, cites the Twenty-Third Psalm as being a cohesive and complete statement about God and His doctrine and how God remains there even when it seems that He is gone.

In an interesting narrative Kushner addresses the classic questions that invariably arise and surround events that would indicate that God is dead, gone, asleep or otherwise occupied. Moreover, Rabbi Kushner broaches the subject in ways that will appeal to everyone, regardless of their religious views or backgrounds. After all, whether you believe in God or not, calamitous times usually raise the questions that Kushner discusses in the minds of every person on earth. As the saying goes "There are no atheists in foxholes."

"The Lord Is My Shepherd, Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm" by Harold S. Kushner is a subjective exegesis of the twenty-third Psalm or Psalm for David. Harold Kushner explains each line of the psalm by placing them back into their original historical context. He also offers us a personal, sensitive, touching, fine and delicate interpretation of this prayer. He demonstrates that the twenty-third psalm is still a source of comfort today in the face of difficulties we are all led to encounter in our lives. His work is not a scientific analysis of the psalm (if that is ever possible to do) but the admirable personal work of a humble man. It is difficult, even impossible, not to feel inspired by this lovely book, which has taken on the form of a spiritual trigger for me and other reviewers as well. It is an excellent book to learn to know your inner self better, and Harold Kushner's words come as "healing wisdom" along with the psalm itself.

I think that "The Lord Is My Shepherd" is a guaranteed spiritual trigger in that it could be very inspiring and comforting for anyone. As for me, "The Lord is My Shepherd" made me realize that God was a source of comfort, and that I had to learn to live my life, appreciate life for what it has to offer me, instead of feeling sorry for myself all the time.

I would like to also thank Harold S. Kushner for his enlightening and healing wisdom.

This is a beautiful and thought-provoking work by Harold Kushner. I've recommended it to many people and have given it as gifts to others. Well worth the money and something you will probably want to read more than once. The book on cd is great also.

If you believe in God from a Christian or Jew perspective, you can be enlightened and delighted with this thorough explanation of the psalm and benefit from taking the posture the psalmist(s) had when writing it. I have listened to this psalm throughout my whole life and never had the opportunity to fully see all that may be found in its deep meaning. It is amazing all can be expanded from these simple phrases.
I usually love Harold Kushner's way of explaining spiritual material (Must read: "When Bad Things Happen to Good People", "Living a Life that Matters" and "How Good do We Have to Be") because, although his main point of view is a religious one, even if you don't believe or don't even want to think about these points of view, you can still get the full message, get a wise vision of life, adversity, the laws of nature, reality, joy, ethics, reaching for self fulfillment and integrity, etc. But, I must repeat, in order to enjoy and benefit from this book, I think you must believe in God because this one is much more religious than the other books I mentioned from the same author. If you want to understand what may be in the depths of the psalm and don't really care about feeling peace or living according to it, go ahead and read the book because it gives an interesting way of understanding what religion may provide or wants to give.

One of the most wonderful things about Rabbi Kushner's writings is that he isn't afraid to tackle the hard questions. If we indeed have a Shepherd, why isn't He doing a better job? To this question, Kushner says, "the psalmist would teach us to see the world, without illusions that nothing bad will ever happen, but without the fear that we will be utterly destroy This is a lovely book full of hope and wisdom.

Drawing on the individual lines of the Twenty-Third Psalm, Rabbi Kushner (known best for his book Why Bad Things Happen to Good People) creates 15 essays that are thought-provoking and inspiring. He outlines the historical background of the words of the psalm, noting "The earliest ancestors of the Hebrew People who gave us the Bible were nomads, owning no property, bound to no one location but traveling with their flocks and herds wherever there was pastureland for the animals to graze on." The analogy of God to a shepherd makes perfect sense in that environment. The beauty of the analogy is that it still speaks to us today. The image which is evoked is one of caring and greater knowledge.
ed by the things that do happen."

Kushner is skilled at relating Biblical literature to questions and concerns of today. He relates the verse to terrorists, Einstein and daily living. He provides insights and advice as to how we can live our lives more effectively. His words also provide hope to all of us:

"You may have to work hard to earn your living...But you don't have to work hard in order to feel good about yourself. All you have to do is stop striving, relax, and say to yourself, I feel good about who I am."

This slim volume will stay in a handy place in my home for years to come. It's a book I will come back to again and again for wisdom, courage and peace.