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This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation Hardcover – September 1, 2003

by Alan Lew (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 597 ratings
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In this “journey of spiritual transformation” (Publishers Weekly) award winning author Rabbi Alan Lew follows the practices and rituals of the Jewish High Holy Days and guides readers through heartbreak, contemplation, and re-birth.

There are times in life when we are caught utterly unprepared: a death in the family, the end of a relationship, a health crisis. These are the times when the solid ground we thought we stood on disappears beneath our feet, leaving us reeling and heartbroken, as we stumble back to our faith.

The Days of Awe encompass the weeks preceding Rosh Hashanah up to Yom Kippur, a period in which Jews take part in a series of rituals and prayers that reenact the journey of the soul through the world from birth to death. This is a period of contemplation and repentance, comparable to Lent and Ramadan. Yet, for Rabbi Alan Lew, the real purpose of this annual passage is for us to experience brokenheartedness and open our heart to God.

In This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared, Lew has marked out a journey of seven distinct stages, one that draws on these rituals to awaken our soul and wholly transform us. Weaving together Torah readings, Buddhist parables, Jewish fables and stories from his own life, Lew lays bare the meanings of this ancient Jewish passage. He reveals the path from terror to acceptance, confusion to clarity, doubt to belief, and from complacency to awe.

In the tradition of When Bad Things Happen to Good People, This Is Real And You Are Completely Unprepared enables believers of all faiths to reconnect to their faith with a passion and intimacy that will resonate throughout the year.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Little, Brown and Company
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    5.7 x 0.92 x 8.92 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0316739081
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0316739085
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
597 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful and inspiring for spiritual reflection during the holidays. They describe it as a wonderful, worthwhile read that prepares them for the holidays. Readers appreciate the honest and tender writing style.

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Thought provokingReadabilityAuthenticityComfort
48 customers mention "Thought provoking"48 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding the high holidays. They say it provides a meaningful and spiritual journey through personal reflection. The book is described as interesting and insightful, with personal anecdotes that help with understanding.

"...But overall the content is good, and I did enjoy the read." Read more

"...Inspiring and life affirming!" Read more

"...What an incredible book full of insights and wisdom to help me prepare for the upcoming festivals of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot...." Read more

"...He also shares personal stories that are both deeply real and inspiring. Sadly, Rabbi Lew is no longer with us, though his spirit lives on...." Read more

46 customers mention "Readability"44 positive2 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and a good read for the holidays. They appreciate the wise, humane, tender, and heartbreaking writing style. The book provides valuable insights and is recommended for the high holidays.

"...Zen training AND was a graduate of the Iowa writing program, uses poetic language and great wisdom to light the way "in this ancient journey of..." Read more

"...Two thumbs way up! PS This could be a great book for anyone who ponders life and death regardless of their religion." Read more

"Excellent product and delivery" Read more

"book like new" Read more

5 customers mention "Authenticity"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's authenticity. They find it honest and relatable, sharing a personal spiritual journey.

"...He also shares personal stories that are both deeply real and inspiring. Sadly, Rabbi Lew is no longer with us, though his spirit lives on...." Read more

"An extraordinarily honest, ope, prayer, a personal journey of spiritual reflection, all within the Jewish unfolding of the High Holidays, but a..." Read more

"This book shares the real, beautiful experience of wakefulness. Yom Kippur comes every year, but you can experience it everyday." Read more

"This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation..." Read more

3 customers mention "Comfort"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book comforting and educational. They describe it as wise, humane, and tender.

"This is an inspiring, educational, and comforting book...." Read more

"...every year during the high holidays and it never fails to educate, comfort, and explain. A must have." Read more

"Wise, humane, tender, heartbreaking. One could do worse than read this every year for sake of the soul." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Izzie
    5.0 out of 5 stars An educational and inspiring read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It’s being used as a text in a class during the weeks preceding the high holidays.
    Helpful
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  • S.J.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unparalleled Inner Guide from Tisha B'av to Sukkhot
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The late Rabbi Alan Lew, who had 10 years of serious Zen training AND was a graduate of the Iowa writing program, uses poetic language and great wisdom to light the way "in this ancient journey of transformation . . . this map of the soul." And he's right there in the turmoil and shambles of life with us, not dictating instructions from a bima. He was unlike any other rabbi and this book is also unlike any other. Highly recommended.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Caroline
    4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to read.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book was received quickly and in good condition. I found it difficult to read due to the small print and the way it was written it was difficult to get started. But overall the content is good, and I did enjoy the read.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Sue I
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written book preparing for the Jewish High Holy Daus
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Apparently this book had become somewhat of a modern classic like Rabbi Kushner’s “When bad things happen to good people”it is a deep dive into the true message of The High Holy Days and how to prepare yourself.
    A book to Ideally begin reading a month before the holidays to fully grasp the intention of these Days of awe. Inspiring and life affirming!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mandy Weinman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read to prepare for the Jewish high holidays (and more)
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I read this for a book club through one of our community’s Jewish centers, The Soul Center. What an incredible book full of insights and wisdom to help me prepare for the upcoming festivals of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. I am sure I will be reading it again next year. Two thumbs way up!

    PS This could be a great book for anyone who ponders life and death regardless of their religion.
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Howard W. Cohen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent product and delivery
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awake
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A must-read for anyone striving toward an awakened life, Jewish or not. Rabbi Lew infuses his book with love and light amidst the suffering of everyday life. He also shares personal stories that are both deeply real and inspiring. Sadly, Rabbi Lew is no longer with us, though his spirit lives on.
    Richard Nager
    2 people found this helpful
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  • D. Doochin
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book to read to prepare for the High Holydays!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Reading this book is an outstanding journey to prepare oneself for the High Holydays. What a delightfully insightful Rabbi and writer. I'm so sorry I didn't encounter him while he was still alive. I borrowed this book from my temple library and immediately knew I had to own my own copy to use each year to prepare for the Days of Awe. In addition, I have purchased the two other books Rabbi Lew wrote and look forward to adding them to my personal library!
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Jill Segal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in Canada on September 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Book was delivered on time. Is an excellent book
    Report
  • Silvana Zehnpfennig
    5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful
    Reviewed in Germany on September 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a treasure to give you a great awareness of your only human being, full of deep impressions, to make you feel, who you are.
    Report
  • lynne g.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing book, bought it out of interest and found it very interesting and poetic at times.
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  • danielle touati
    5.0 out of 5 stars High holidays and more
    Reviewed in France on October 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    One of the most inspiring book I have ever read, good preparation for High Holidays for lay people as well as rabbis !
    Report
  • A. Bölker
    5.0 out of 5 stars top
    Reviewed in Germany on April 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    sehr interessant und spirituell
    Report