Customer Reviews

When Life Hurts: A Book of Hope

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

 

 

Some may contend that rabbi Dosick's book leaves something to be desired because it deals with material loss, rather than with the loss of a loved one. But possessions do have emotional value, and losing everything one owns in a fire does hurt. The author faces the doubts that his loss raised about his faith in God, and his journey to resolve these doubts is worth following. Although there are no easy or obvious answers, rabbi Dosick's suggestions can help readers cope more effectively with whatever kinds of loss and doubt they may face.

Rabbi Dosick explores some of the most basic concerns and feelings we experience and feel when terrible things happen to us- when life hurts. Terrible things happen all the time, but how do we make sense of these things? Likewise, how are we to respond or react to these things? Pain, suffering, sorrow, and loss are part of our human experience, but it is the way that we respond to these life events that really matters. As Rabbi Dosick explains, we have the choice of either choosing misery or rejecting it. We can either live a life of misery, or we can live a life of hope. We can recognize and appreciate our blessings and good fortunes, or we can focus on the most painful and consuming sorrows of our lives. Through simple parables and personal antedotes, Rabbi Dosick helps us make sense of our hardships, and he helps us recognize and appreciate the good that can come from human tragedy.

A marvelous read for aid in healing from any of life's struggles. The author does not limit his spiritual perspective to one single religion, but draws on spiritual truths from many sources. An easy read, but full of profound food for healing emotional and spiritual scars, and gathering the strength to overcome the trials we all face.

the last third is very good. The book has several good meditative moments and some good prayers and poetry. The Rabbi does a nice job of explaining the reasons for faith in God by the individual. I would suggest this book for readers from age 18 onward.

It is too bad the author had a fire, but life goes on. I thought it was shallow and materialistic, and it makes Jews look stereotypical.

Being able to comprehend the magnitude of what Mr Dosick and his wife "lost" then to be able to rise up from the ashes to share this experience with others in a way that is so heartwarming and profound is truly a gift that God has given to Mr. Dosick in order to heal and help us ALL in our own "soul searching missions" here on Earth.

The title seemed appropriate for my circumstances, but it addressed grief and depression from the loss of material items. The grief I was engaged in was from the disease and dying of a beloved human being. I didn't much care about material possessions. I moved on to find other books that helped me deal with my loss. I will, however, make a permanent note of the responsive prayer on page 162--it was very meaningful to me. I do appreciate the ecumenical/universal approach to the religious insights/meditations/prayers offered to the reader--I had a chance to read many insightful viewpoints in one publication.