Type of bind: Hardcover
Format: Bargain Price
Page Count: 192
Printing Date: August 26, 2003
Sale Popularity Level: 406591
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Science is powerless to answer the most important question of all: Is the universe a friendly place, supportive of human hopes? The 23rd Psalm, with its image of the Lord as our shepherd, responds to that concern. It gives an answer, not in theological language, but in well chosen images, and we respond to its optimism as much as to the beauty of its language. It comforts but its message goes well beyond comfort. It teaches us to look at the world we live in clearly, without illusions. The world may be a frightening place but it becomes less frightening when we know that God is there with us. At time of deep confusion, fear and war, this meditation brings hope and Rabbi Kushner weaves his own magic to interpret this Psalm for a new generation.
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This book focuses on the 23rd Psalm, but I found it to be a bit self-centered. It is probably a great read for someone going through a time of personal grief, and I believe that is what the author intended, since he is the author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People. I can appreciate that aspect of the book, but I feel that some of his interpretations of the psalm are incorrect.
One instance that comes to mind is his view of the rod and staff mentioned in the psalm. Kushner tends to view the rod and staff as punishment from God. I can understand, however, this viewpoint if one does not have knowledge of grace. A good book to help understand the metaphor of the rod and staff in regard to grace is A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.
Kushner is learned and concise with his knowledge, but fails to shift the focus from the personal and earthly to Jesus and the kingdom of God.
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I went to a Baptist seminary and studied there for 5 years. I have read all kinds of commentaries doing my papers of Biblical exegesis. Honest to God, nobody compares to the Jews in interpreting the Bible. After all, it is their Bible and we took it from them. Some of us hijack the interpretation and insist on one way of interpretation, and these are what you could call "Christian Fundamentalists". One way of interpretation and it is their way. But Rav. Kushner is amazing. I like his depth of scholarship, erudite yet simple knowlege and deep faith. In Christian commentaries we embellish things but for these Jews they call a spade a spade and they tell you that this G-d, the L-rd, can be definitely trust. We go through hellish circumstances and we are not going to romanticize them but we can be sure that the Lord is with us, every step of the way. The Christina prides himself in longer being in bondage to the "letter that kills" but many times he is a slave to literal interpretation. The Jews are not like that. These people are beautifully comfortable around their God. They love him and they can curse him. They will vent! I love that in them. The book so far promises to be an exciting delight and it really encourages me to turn to more and more JEWISH commentaries of the Bible. Nothing compares to Jewish wisdom. More to follow.
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This book takes a very difficult topic and gives it an encouraging side. Even though life can be tough, even wrenching, sometimes (Kushner's analysis applies well beyond the topic of death that we associate with this psalm), finding the comfort in Psalm 23 means not being alone in your plight. The author puts a much greater understanding around some very abstract language that allowed me to get much more than just reading the words and taking them at face value only. This is a must-read for many of us.
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This book gives so much depth and daily application to a prayer that almost everyone has heard at one time or another. I used to think this was the prayer for funerals and death but it is very much for the living every day. Rabbi Kushner is a phenomenal author that I find incredibly easy to read and so meaningful.
Rated by buyers 
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Good book to read - good for a book discusion group.
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