Customer Reviews

Toward a Meaningful Life, New Edition: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I could not resist this title, for I , like most of us, search for ways to make life meaningful. I was not disappointed. The Rebbe taught that we find joy not through material things and momentary pleasures, but by living a life that involves caring, compassion, respect, and duty. He covers the everyday things we all deal with: children, work, death, and life. This book is probably the most practically inspirational book I have read, and is definitely ecumenical. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking to find more meaning and more joy in life.

A book that adds meaning throughout each chapter. Some of the words do repeat themselves from time to time. However, the wisdom of the Rebbe always seems to have a positive reflection with hope for a better world. Even when dealing with death, The Rebbe reflects how the departed person's soul has risen to a higher plain. Other inspring moments include the birth of a child, the importance of keeping healthy, and the many joys of marriage.

This book may not be easy to absorb if you are first learning how to be spiritual. But give it some time and you will certainly feel fine.

Both the title and the jacket of this book caught my attention, but little did I know what an incredible book this was until I began to read it. "Wisdom" only begins to describe it. It is so much deeper than that word conveys. Every time I read a selection from it, I see it with fresh eyes, and get something new from it. I've read it, and recommended it, over and over. I can't get enough of it.

This book has had a huge impact on my life-- so much so, that I have purchased 30 copies for friends and family. Anyone seeking to learn about the spiritual depth of Judaism will find this book hard to put down! If you, like me, have had a hard time finding meaning in Reform or Conservative Judaism, and seek a greater understanding of "What does it mean to be Jewish", then you will get a tremendous amount from this book.

This book gives a hasidic, yet not sectarian view on many aspects of life. Whereas most hasidic books stand still at questions on faith, this book explores the mind in a more philosophical way. The last few chapters can be missed; as the writer is repeating himself to much. Hence the 4 stars in stead of 5.

My mother is a Lubavitcher and she sent me this book. I readit a year later and was delighted to find that it is one of the mosthumanistic, clear-headed, non-dogmatic collections of wisdom about how to live one's life as a moral, responsible, righteous person. It covers different part of life---birth, adolescence, marriage, death---as well as some of the toughest issues of our time. A fountain of wisdom that I felt driven to share with others!

This book covers the fundimental things in life.It inspires conversation and maintains focus on what the family and the individual should be concious of throughout the day.We regularly give this book as a gift to Jews and Non-jews alike.It's about living as a good person and not getting lost in the superficial.

This book was recommended to me during a time in my life where I was suffering from serious clinical depression - although I didn't know it at the time. One of my significant steps towards self-healing was through the reading and re-reading of chapters in this book coupled with application. I continually use different chapters as a source and for reminders. I have recommended this book to many and given it to others - and, uniformly, each has appreciated the contents.

The messages are sound, thought-provoking, and for me, provided guidance and answers. The book is very rich - probably more relevant to an older, more mature/experienced-in-life reader, but many parts can be exerpted for dealing with children, husbands, wives, parents and, of course, life.

I agree with most of the positive comments made by other reviewers. One minor caveat: some of the essays are much more dated than others (which is probably why a new edition came out). For example, one essay on youth rebellion was probably written (or spoken) in the 1960s, and some of the essays are a bit too gee-whiz optimistic to be totally persuasive in 2003 (after the Sept. 11 disaster and the worldwide explosion of anti-Semitism that followed it).

Deserves more than 5 stars! I can't tell you how many times, while reading this book, I said 'this is so true' or 'I wish I knew this earlier'. Do yourself a favor, buy it and READ it!