Seeking the Path to Life: Theological Meditations on God and the Nature of People, Love, Life and Death [Paperback]

Ira F. Stone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1995

For people of all faiths and backgrounds who never thought they would read a book of theology let alone understand and enjoy it, savor it, and have it affect the way they think about their lives. In 45 intense meditations, each a page or two in length, Stone teacher, poet, practical philosopher takes us on explorations of the most basic human struggles: Life and death, love and anger, peace and war, covenant and exile. This work results from the author s own personal struggle for meaning and faith following a great family tragedy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 45 intense meditations, each a page or two in length, Stone, a Philadelphia rabbi, brings a humanistic perspective to such topics as marriage, divorce, holiness, atonement, prophecy, miracles, Israel, the Holocaust and God's healing power. Stone defines evil as an accumulation of "moments-of-death in life," which fosters sin and separateness. Choosing life over death-in-life is a daily task demanding awareness and faith, he asserts. Drawing on his experience in overcoming the deaths of his two infant sons, Stone outlines an inspiring path of renewal that includes love, prayer, study, constructive anger, communal energy and helping others. A liberal thinker, he maintains that same-sex relationships are natural and acceptable if arising out of love and a desire for psychological balance. In a postscript he interprets the Torah as revelation and as a signpost to redemption.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This wonderful collection of brief, lyrical, personal meditations by a Jewish conservative rabbi gives words to the human struggle to find God in the midst of the chaos of modern life. Although directed primarily to Jews, the book can easily be read and appreciated by others who will find either echoes of their own belief or enlightening differences. Stone demonstrates how life--especially redemptive and salvific life--is an option, a continuous daily task of choosing "life or death--God's presence or God's absence." Stone calls the reader to live in two worlds, this life and beyond this life (through repentance, suffering, and miracles). Recommended for large public libraries.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879045478
• ISBN-13: 978-1879045477
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,579,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you like reading about death, you'll love this book., December 4, 2010

By 

Jeffrey Cohan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seeking the Path to Life: Theological Meditations on God and the Nature of People, Love, Life and Death (Paperback)

There are good reasons why Rabbi Ira Stone's "Seeking the Path to Life: Theological Meditations on God and the Nature of People Love, Life and Death" was not one of the better selling Jewish Lights books.

It is a very difficult book to read for two reasons.

One, Stone views almost everything through the prism of death. He can be forgiven this, as he lost two young sons. And his theology is not without merit. His point that death is a slow process, not a one-time event that happens at the end point of our lives, rings true. We do have moments of death during our lives, moments, even long stretches, when we're not truly fully alive.

But any book of theology that dwells on death is not going to make it onto the best-seller list.

Less forgivable and less acceptable is the opacity of much of Stone's prose. It's hard work getting through some of his tangled sentences, and it's not always worth the reward.