A prominent rabbi shows how to apply the wisdom of the Psalms in our daily lives Traditionally attributed to King David, among others, the book of Psalms collects 150 songs in praise of the Lord-songs that contain some of the Bible's most beautiful and inspiring verses. Now, one of America's most esteemed rabbis elucidates the meaning of the Psalms and explains how their healing wisdom can help us in our everyday lives. Examining each of the Psalms in turn, Rabbi Joshua Haberman shows how these "dialogues with God" offer comfort in our struggles to cope with adversity and improve our lot in life, whether we're seeking deliverance from suffering, giving praise for our good fortune, or commemorating a special occasion. Though this is the only mainstream book on the Psalms written by a rabbi, the book is for people of all spiritual traditions-Jews, Christians, and people of any tradition who want to tap into the healing power of the Psalms. Joshua O. Haberman (Washington, DC) is President of the Foundation for Jewish Studies. The former Senior Rabbi at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, he has preached at the White House and at the nationally televised memorial service to honor victims of 9/11.
The Talmud states, "In a world that lacks humanity, be human." In a world as untethered as ours has become, simply being human, a good person, is a measure of heroism. At a time when norms of civility are being routinely overwhelmed, it may be the only measure that matters. Mensch-Marks represents Rabbi Joshua Hammerman's personal Torah scroll—the sacred text of his experiences, the life lessons he has learned along his winding, circuitous journey. Mirroring 42 steps Israel wandered in the Wilderness, Hammerman offers 42 brief essays, several of which first appeared in The New York Times Magazine, organized into categories of character, or "mensch-marks," each one a stepping stone toward spiritual maturation. These essays span most of Rabbi Hammerman's life, revealing how he has striven to be a "mensch," a human of character, through every challenge. Mensch-Marks creates a brand-new genre. It is memoir as sacred story, as how-to book; a series of personal vignettes in dialogue with one another over the span of decades, resonating with eternal ideas that span centuries. It traces the author's own personal growth while providing a road map for people of all backgrounds seeking a life of moral vision. The wisdom is shared not from a pulpit on high, but rather from an unfolding story of a fellow traveler, one who has stumbled, failed, and persevered, struggling with the questions large and small. Through it all, Rabbi Hammerman has tried to live with dignity and grace, what he calls the "nobility of normalcy." He writes, "If by sharing what I've learned, I can add a modicum of generosity, honesty and human connection in a world overflowing with cruelty, loneliness and deceit, then I'll have done my job.' The essays cover crucial moments of failure and forgiveness, loving and letting go, finding deeper meaning in one's work, and holiness in the seemingly inconsequential moments of everyday life. Rabbi Hammerman, ever the optimist, believes that we can turn things around, one mensch at a time.
A prominent rabbi shows how to apply the wisdom of the Psalms in our daily lives Traditionally attributed to King David, among others, the book of Psalms collects 150 songs in praise of the Lord-songs that contain some of the Bible's most beautiful and inspiring verses. Now, one of America's most esteemed rabbis elucidates the meaning of the Psalms and explains how their healing wisdom can help us in our everyday lives. Examining each of the Psalms in turn, Rabbi Joshua Haberman shows how these "dialogues with God" offer comfort in our struggles to cope with adversity and improve our lot in life, whether we're seeking deliverance from suffering, giving praise for our good fortune, or commemorating a special occasion. Though this is the only mainstream book on the Psalms written by a rabbi, the book is for people of all spiritual traditions-Jews, Christians, and people of any tradition who want to tap into the healing power of the Psalms. Joshua O. Haberman (Washington, DC) is President of the Foundation for Jewish Studies. The former Senior Rabbi at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, he has preached at the White House and at the nationally televised memorial service to honor victims of 9/11.
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