In his latest book, the lord is my shepherd, rabbi kushner explores the meaning of psalm 23, and its magical power to comfort. He has found that these simple, beautiful verses, full of honesty and optimism, have an almost magical power to comfort and calm. A shepherd looks at psalm 23 mass market paperback april 29, 2007. The psalm does not pretend that life is ever easy, but it offers a masterful. Read psalm 23 in the king james version what beautiful words. Rabbi harold kushner has found that the simple, beautiful verses of perhaps the most memorable and cherished chapter of the biblefull of honesty and optimismhave an almost magical power to comfort and calm. Is there more to psalm 23 than words of solace and comfort. The book of job rabbi yitzchak breitowitz duration.
Kushner and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It is among religious texts that have become part of our secular lexicon, though sometimes without understanding their origins. Rabbi harold kushner has found that the simple, beautiful verses of perhaps the most memorable and cherished chapter of the biblefull of honesty and optimismhave an almost magical power to comfort and calmand. Rabbi kushner, bestselling author of the spiritual classic. Often mistakenly attributed to the new testament, it is actually one of the psalms of david, as indicated in its superscription v. Recently, rabbi kushner wrote a meditation on the 23rd psalm called the lord is my shepherd. Psalm 23 a psalm that calms the soul in a psalm for all seasons studies in the book of psalms by robert l. In this book, he discusses the psalm verse by verse both in context of the time it was written and how it is applicable to our own lives. Rabbi harold kushner is wellknown for his 1981 book when bad things. Rabbi kushner is rabbi laureate of temple israel in natick, massachusetts. Now harold kushner discovers what it has to teach us about living our daytoday lives. If you like the 23rd psalm, you will love this book.
At that time, he says, many people asked how god could have let such a horrendous event happen. Kushners way of thinking involves making insightful connections. Kushner also wrote a response to simon wiesenthals question of forgiveness in the book the sunflower. Kushner has spoken the words of the twentythird psalm of david many times over his 40 years as a rabbi. Your book comes out at a time when the 23rd psalm might be on a lot of peoples minds, because of the second. Summary bible readers have long looked to the book of psalms as a source of solace and comfort. I think you have written a beautiful version of the psalm. Recently, rabbi kushner wrote a meditation on the 23rd psalm. Most of us are familiar with psalm 23 from its recitation at funeral and memorial services. Since the psalm is usually quoted in its king james translation or in one. Kushners appeal is such that his several books on ethics, prayer, judaism and the role of god in modern life are often shelved in several places, from health to religion, within the same bookstore. Rabbi harold kushner the lord is my shepherd episode.
There is a part of me that wants to want that wants never to be satisfied with who i am and. This, kushner points out, reflects the wisdom of psalm 23. I have wondered for a long time why the 23d psalm has the power it has to. Travel the shepherds path to the green pastures and cool, refreshing waters of psalm 23. Harold kushner on nine essential things ive learned about life at the. Recommend good books, fiction or nonfiction, featuring the beloved psalm 23. Many volumes could be written about this psalm, kushner says, since the twentythird psalm gives us an entire theology, a more practical theology than we can find in many gods promise was never that life would be fair, writes rabbi harold kushner, bestknown for his bestseller when. Thank you for getting rid of the religious overtones and creating something that resonates with the theme of the psalm and is nondiscriminatory and inclusive way. Rabbi reflects on how psalm 23 can offer hope, comfort j. Years later, kushners meditation on the 23rd psalm was sent to me by an anonymous teacher. Many people know rabbi harold kushner for his 1981 book when bad things.
From the author of the bestselling when bad things happen to good people and living a life that mattersa new book of practical spirituality, of inspiration and encouragement gleaned from what may be the bestknown and bestloved chapter in the bible. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Rabbi says psalm 23 holds lifes answers the honolulu. Npr coverage of the lord is my shepherd by harold s. Perhaps we associate this psalm with death, since death is the context in which we hear it most often. Harold kushner wrote a guide to the 23rd psalm, the lord is my shepherd. Kushner writes that he began this book in response to the terrorist attacks of september 11, 2001. Rabbi and author harold kushner says one source that could help people of different faiths is psalm 23, the famous the lord is my shepherd, i shall not want psalm. Can fifteen beautiful lines from a single page of the bible change your life. Rabbi harold kushner explains the meaning of the 23rd. Knowhy otl25a is there more to psalm 23 than words of. Kushner is one of the best known authors of our time, having written the classic book, when bad things happen to good people.
Kushner spoke to beliefnet about the psalms unique power to provide comfort. Rabbi harold kushner has found that the simple, beautiful verses of perhaps the most memorable and cherished chapter of the biblefull of honesty and optimismhave an almost magical power to comfort and calmand to change. Healing wisdom of the twentythird psalm, by harold s kushner, alfred a. Stephanie rutt this 12week course will explore the beloved psalm 23 from the hebrew bible. In a new book, bestselling author harold kushner offers a linebyline interpretation of the 23rd psalm. Lessons to be learned and lived, a reflection on psalm 23 harold kushner wrote a guide to the 23rd psalm, the lord is my shepherd. Youll be convinced that he is talking directly to you. Healing wisdom of the twentythird psalm by harold s. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. That which makes god a good shepherd also serves as a model to us of proper shepherding. Author rabbi harold kushner is one of the best theological writers for the average person, meaning he is not using a voice that sounds like an academic theologian. The 23rd psalm there are various translations of psalm 23. The bestselling guide to the healing wisdom of the twentythird psalm, from the beloved author of when bad things happen to good people.
But kushner argues that god does not, god cannot promise us happy endings in a world where laws of nature and human cruelty take their daily toll. In this book harold kushner discovers what it has to teach us about living our daytoday lives. The lord is my shepherd audiobook listen instantly. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. It is a book for anyone who has ever stepped back and thought, there must be more to life than this. Many people know rabbi harold kushner for his 1981 book when bad things happen to good people. Rabbi harold kushner explains the meaning of the 23rd psalm. Psalm 23 explained by rabbi zalman schachtershalomi youtube. Full of the ideas and affirmations on which bestselling author harold kushner has based his life, who needs god will help readers bring depth and order to their lives through spirituality. In each chapter of the book, kushner illuminates a single line of the psalm, drawing out. We hear them most often at funerals, and then once every three years in our lectionary readings. Psalm 23 30 literary commentary t he lord is my shepherd is probably the bestknown statement in the book of psalms. The lord is my shepherd audiobook by harold kushner. In a new book, bestselling author harold kushner offers a linebyline interpretation of.
The bestselling guide to the healing wisdom of the twentythird psalm, from the. Rabbi harold kushner believes that the twentythird psalm, perhaps the most memorable and cherished chapter in the bible, offers spiritual riches that can change a persons life. There is, in most peoples spiritual lives, a primitive need for a feeling of security. Here kushner looks at the nourishment our souls crave, in much the same way that our bodies. Many years ago, i wrote my doctoral dissertation on the history of the book of psalms and found myself concurring with the virtually unanimous opinion of bible scholars that. Many people regard the 23rd psalm as one of the most familiar and comforting passages in the bible. Recently, rabbi kushner wrote a meditation on the 23rd psalm called the lord is. Kushners the lord is my shepherd explores appeal of. The twentythird psalm, study guide 10 pack the lord is my shepherd bible study series, study guide by clarence sexton a copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. The book of psalms is one of the most beloved of the. Harold kushner, a rabbi whose son died at age 3, and who is known for writing the book when bad things happen to good people, has also written a book on the 23 rd psalm. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads. So begins the psalm that, for millennia, has been a source of comfort in grief and of courage in fear. Kushners book, the lord is my shepherd, was a meditation on the twentythird psalm released in 2003.
Rabbi harold kushner is wellknown for his 1981 book when bad things happen to good people. But he was inspired to reexamine this prayer by the catastrophic events of sept. Many people hold to the tradition that king david wrote all 150 of the psalms, and indeed the twentythird psalm begins, as so many do, with the words a psalm of david. Kushner 2003, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Many volumes could be written about this psalm, kushner says, since the twentythird psalm gives us an entire theology, a more practical theology than we can find in many gods promise was never that life would be fair, writes rabbi harold kushner, bestknown for his bestseller when bad things happen to good people. Lessons to be learned and lived, a reflection on psalm 23. Author rabbi harold kushner is one of the best theological writers for the average person, meaning he is not. Psalm 23 comfort i am a child of god i have everything i need. Books to read when coping with the death of a child. Each week participants will learn a line or two from the psalm in hebrew and answer questions for reflection from harold s. According to kushners discussion, how does the psalm respond to this need. Rabbi harold kushner has found that the simple, beautiful verses of perhaps the. As a shepherd, phillip keller shares his insights into the life and character of sheepand of the good shepherd who loves and cares for them. Twentythird psalm the lord is my shepherd, i shall not.