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The Book of Job: When Bad Things Happened to a Good Person (Jewish Encounters Series) Hardcover – October 2, 2012

by Harold S. Kushner (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 190 ratings
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Part of the Jewish Encounter series

From one of our most trusted spiritual advisers, a thoughtful, illuminating guide to that most fascinating of biblical texts, the book of Job, and what it can teach us about living in a troubled world.
 
The story of Job is one of unjust things happening to a good man. Yet after losing everything, Job—though confused, angry, and questioning God—refuses to reject his faith, although he challenges some central aspects of it. Rabbi Harold S. Kushner examines the questions raised by Job’s experience, questions that have challenged wisdom seekers and worshippers for centuries. What kind of God permits such bad things to happen to good people? Why does God test loyal followers? Can a truly good God be all-powerful?
 
Rooted in the text, the critical tradition that surrounds it, and the author’s own profoundly moral thinking, Kushner’s study gives us the book of Job as a touchstone for our time. Taking lessons from historical and personal tragedy, Kushner teaches us about what can and cannot be controlled, about the power of faith when all seems dark, and about our ability to find God.
 
Rigorous and insightful yet deeply affecting, The Book of Job is balm for a distressed age—and Rabbi Kushner’s most important book since When Bad Things Happen to Good People.

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  1. Book 21 of 25
    Jewish Encounters Series
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Schocken
  5. Publication date
    October 2, 2012
  6. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.91 x 7.82 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9780805242928
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0805242928
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1981) is a natural to cover the quintessential story of suffering for the excellent Jewish Encounters series. He expounds the text, explains what philology has determined about its structure and linguistic meanings, and offers the best and most influential things said about it. The Book of Job consists of the originally non-Jewish legend of Job (only one name in the whole book is Jewish); the Hebrew poem of Job, encompassing Job’s colloquies with three would-be-comforting friends and God’s concluding response; and a theological commentary by the young Jewish bystander, Elihu, now considered a negligible late interpolation. Moreover, although the poem contains the philosophical meat of the book, it’s probably corrupt (due to scribal errors, perhaps) in one place in which linguistic logic breaks down. Nevertheless, it remains the touchstone treatment of the problem of evil in Western culture. After airing the assessments of centuries’ worth of sages, Kushner ventures that that problem is answered by human creativity and resilience and the faithfulness of God. --Ray Olson

Review

“A current, accessible examination of a difficult and wondrous jewel of world literature.”
-Kirkus
 
“Kushner skillfully analyzes this complex story, surveying many sources along with offering his own impressive interpretation.”
-Publishers Weekly

“Kushner’s analysis challenges popular understanding of a text written and rewritten by unknown authors perhaps separated by centuries…No one can explain why evil exists, let alone in 200 pages. Still, Kushner’s tragic loss lets him assail an insolvable problem with authority.”
-The Washington Post
 
“Harold Kushner first brought comfort and insight to many in 1981 with his best-selling self-help book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Since then, he’s continued to offer life- and faith-affirming messages…In Job’s anguish and anger toward God, Kushner finds lessons on how one might remain faithful to a God who does not protect us from suffering.”
-Vox Tablet (weekly podcast of Tablet Magazine)
 
“Kushner’s lifelong experience with and study of the central questions of Job make almost every page of his masterful reading stimulating and often provocative and will turn many readers to the text.”
-Jewish Book Council
 
“Harold S. Kushner…share[s] the gifts of scholarly foundations, challenges to conventional theology, and a style that enlightens and inspires the decidedly un-Biblical among his readers…Kushner does a wonderful job summing up what he takes away from the Job story (it is actually something of a spoiler to paraphrase it, so buy the book) and handily condenses thinking from some of the great Jewish thinkers.”
-The Seattle Times

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0805242929
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Schocken; 1st edition (October 2, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780805242928
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805242928
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.91 x 7.82 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 190 ratings

About the author

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Harold S. Kushner

Harold S. Kushner

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Harold S. Kushner is Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts, where he lives. His books include the huge bestseller When Bad Things Happen To Good People and When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
190 global ratings

Customers say

Readers find the book very insightful, profound, and well-written. They say it rewards the reader with fresh understanding and challenges. Readers also mention the book is well worth studying and a wonderful trip through it.

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InsightReadabilityWriting style
23 customers mention "Insight"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, profound, and interesting. They say it rewards the reader with fresh understanding and challenges. Readers also mention the book is full of applications and reflections.

"...Kushner's book is one the most profound books written which attempts to take the theodical problem, head on...." Read more

"...However, much food for thought and well worth the study. Thought provoking and will make you think deeply about the book of Job and how it is..." Read more

"...are not of the academic nature, but very practical and full of applications and reflections." Read more

"...Kushner has magnificently engaged the questions with sensible conclusions. This is not a book you can read in one sitting...." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book excellent, wonderful, and well worth studying. They also say it's well-written and intense.

"The book is awesome. I heard it once through & I'm working on my second round. It really helps w/getting a healthier but unorthodox view of God...." Read more

"...However, much food for thought and well worth the study...." Read more

"This book is excellent. It marks the culmination of Rabbi Harold Kushner's quest to interpret the biblical Book of Job...." Read more

"...It's defiinitly worth the time to read it." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style enviable, easy to read, and excellent. They also appreciate the author's excellent speaking voice and diction.

"...With a certain amount of good humor and an enviable writing style, Rabbi Kushner visits the Book of Job and sets out the many issues connected with..." Read more

"...This was a CD book read by the author. He has excellent speaking voice and diction. Everybody should read or listen to this book. It is classic!!!!!!..." Read more

"Very much in keeping with Kushner's other books. Easy read. We used it in conjunction with the book of Job as a bible study. Glad I read it." Read more

"I have read all of Kushner's books. I love the way he writes; he makes me think. If you like to learn, read this book." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Saint Shane
5.0 out of 5 stars ... was clear a life labor and a labor of love. I have spent a lifetime myself puzzling over ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
This was clearly a life's labor and a labor of love. I have spent my lifetime puzzling over Job, as well. I have long asked myself if I love the book of Job or if I hate it. My struggle over Job is paralleled by that which I have had with God and life generally; namely, should I love God or hate him, should I love and accept the bitter realities of life or hate them. This book shows how well Job represents this enigma. For the first time ever, after reading rabbi Kushner's book, I can say I am no longer conflicted about Job. I now unequivocally love the book of Job.

Kushner's book is one the most profound books written which attempts to take the theodical problem, head on. Kushner's reading and exposition of Job is unique and touching. He also spends a great deal of time reviewing ancient, medieval, modern and even current commentaries and interpretations of the book, making this book an invaluable resource to scholarly study. I love Kushner, the first time I heard him speak was at a college seminar, and he absolutely blew my mind. Since then I have watched him debate on panels, and talk religion with Christians, atheists and Muslims. He always acquits himself admirably and has added much to my life as a Christian, turned radical atheist, turned Christian again; never, even while an atheist, have I ever lost respect or love for Kushner. This book is the magnum opus of a true maestro. God bless you, and keep my Rabbi.
6 people found this helpful
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Emma Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome insight
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2014
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The book is awesome. I heard it once through & I'm working on my second round. It really helps w/getting a healthier but unorthodox view of God. Many times Christianity teaches that you can jump out of a window of the Empire State Building but as long as you pray hard enough, believe strong enough, fast long enough you'll be ok. You'll only be ok IF God ordained that way & He intended for you tone ok. Other than that it's splat. If you want to consider seeing different. Get the book.
One person found this helpful
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mlandg
4.0 out of 5 stars Intense reading - not light!
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2014
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Must read the real book of Job along with these thoughts. Some thoughts are not necessarily in agreement with my Christian background. It is written by a Jewish rabbi. However, much food for thought and well worth the study. Thought provoking and will make you think deeply about the book of Job and how it is relevant to how we think of God .
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David R
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Read for Every Human
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2015
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There are books that help you understand a topic better, or clarify the difficult points. Then there are books that completely undo your understanding and open a whole new world of thought. This book is the latter.

I’ve been studying Job on and off for the last 3 years. During that time I’ve read about a dozen books on the book of Job and topic of suffering. I have learned something from all of them but this book clearly stands out.

Kushner doesn’t take the time to go verse by verse and explain what is being said – and I think that is a real benefit of his writing. He aims and grasping the larger ideas – what is the main thought Job and his friends are communication, what is the purpose of God’s interruption, what conclusion are readers supposed to arrive at after finishing the book.

Because he approaches the book of Job and the problem of suffering from such a high level he is able to see things and reach conclusions others have missed. I honestly have never heard the final chapters of Job interpreted as he has done it and I am deeply touched by the picture of God and life he draws for his readers.

That being said, I am reading this as a Christian and for that reason I did see some theological differences with mainstream Christian thought. But many of those were well founded and challenged me in productive ways.

This is a book the author lived through and readers can tell. I believe every person – religious or not – should take the time to read this book and evolve their understanding of pain in the world.
23 people found this helpful
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Joan Burstyn
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is excellent. It marks the culmination of Rabbi Harold Kushner's ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2015
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This book is excellent. It marks the culmination of Rabbi Harold Kushner's quest to interpret the biblical Book of Job. Kushner concludes that the biblical book has two parts: the poetry of the middle section being a later insertion with a different focus than the first two chapters and the final chapter of the biblical story. Kushner's book is written in a style that is easy for the reader to follow, even when he is describing events that are complex for us all. I recommend it to every reader who is anguished by disastrous events that appear to happen to good people the world over.
2 people found this helpful
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Laurence J. Bloom
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful exposition of a thorny subject
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2013
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Many will remember that this same author wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People decades ago, and it has become a classic on the subject. He returns to look at the topic from a more scriptural standpoint, and again hits the nail on the head. With a certain amount of good humor and an enviable writing style, Rabbi Kushner visits the Book of Job and sets out the many issues connected with the text, and the thoughts and conclusions of the great minds throughout the ages on the subject. Readers will almost inevitably come to see bad times in a new light after reading this book.
8 people found this helpful
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Morton
5.0 out of 5 stars Looking a suffering without pretense
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2015
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This kind of subject matter is so easily ruined, as the author points out, by well meaning people, who explain to a suffering person that this is God's way of getting us to a higher spiritual status (my wording, not his). But he notes that one commentator suggests a good response to a suffering person is compassion and seeking to alleviate the suffering, as can be done. "I think she may on to something" Kushner suggests. I have not finished the book and he does get quite a bit into scriptural analysis sometimes. I can't fault him for this, as he is obviously a thoughtful biblical scholar. But what I have found of most value half way through the book is it's lack of pretense and honest approach to the issue, without any saccharine veneer of trying to paper over sorrow or suffering with empty religious platitudes. For this I say "thank you!" I am looking forward to finishing the book and rereading it and sharing it. Right now, a house guest has it and is enjoying it quite a bit.
8 people found this helpful
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R. Hanna
3.0 out of 5 stars View of Job vary
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2012
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As a protestant Christian, I found it interesting to read another viewpoint of the trials of Job. In our present economy it is especially thought-provoking..I have an agreement to discuss it with my own minister. It's defiinitly worth the time to read it.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Doubtful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
I guess a Rabbi would have a particular interest in the book of Job with its assumed focus on suffering. I thought he would also have a respect for it as divinely inspired. While the first is evident in Kushner's book the second is not. In fact, although the book reaches an inspiring end it rests on a foundation of sand. The author is so focused on suffering that he seems to me to miss the point of the book of Job altogether.
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claudia Davison
5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent look at the messages of the life of Job.
Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
I first heard Harold S. Kushner during an interview on CCB radio. I was so impressed with his thoughfulness that I right away ordered his book. When it arrived, I immediately read it!. The book did not disappoint. He writes with the calm thoughfulness of one who has been up one side and down the other of this issue. In a world where people are so quick to dismiss God because of the mess we have made of our lives and of each other, Harold S. Kushner treats the subject with respect, humility and a lifetime of insight. I recommend it to you who are reading this review because it will straighten things out for you and give you peace. All pastors, teachers and students of the BIble need to digest this book!
One person found this helpful
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