Rabbi's teaching from the January, 2007, service used this book. The author is the president of CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

---

Product Description

"Irwin Kula shows us how to to live our humanness -- the pleasures and the challenges, the messiness and the triumphs -- with a profound acceptance of our desires and foibles and a joy that can only come from understanding." --Deepak Chopra"Yearning. After twenty-three years as a rabbi, I can think of no more defining human experience."Life can be messy and imperfect. We're all looking for answers. And yet, as renowned rabbi Irwin Kula points out, the yearning for answers is no different now than it was in the times that gave rise to Moses, Buddha, and Jesus. Far from being a burden, however, these yearnings can themselves become a path to blessing, prompting questions and insights, resulting in new ways of being and believing. In this, his first book, Rabbi Kula takes us on an excursion into the depths of our desires, applying ancient Jewish tradition to seven of our most wonderful yearnings. Merging ancient wisdom with contemporary insights, Rabbi Kula shows how traditional practices can inform and enrich our own search for meaning. More importantly, he invites us to embrace the messiness and complexities of the human experience in order to fully embrace the endless and glorious project of life.

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #132554 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-05
• Released on: 2006-08-30
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

From AudioFile
Rabbi Kula explores the human condition and asks age-old questions before opening his "spiritual toolbox" of Jewish wisdom. He poses questions about seven common human yearnings and then merges ancient Jewish wisdom with contemporary insight to provide answers. Examples and scripture are taken from the Old Testament. He teaches by using stories to illustrate the in-depth problems of the human condition. Speaking with sincerity in a mellow voice, he discusses teachings that have evolved over three thousand years from the lives of biblical characters. Listeners with a philosophical bent will enjoy Kula's even delivery and slow, methodical approach. Those without such interests may find this slow going. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Spirituality & Health
" This sagacious book will be a blessing to all who read its teachigns on the value of spiritual learning."

About the Author
Rabbi Irwin Kula is an eighth-generation rabbi and the president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. He has been a repeat guest on Oprah and the host of a 13-part public television series called Simple Wisdom. Rabbi Kula lives in New York City. Linda Loewenthal is a writer and literary agent based in New York City.

---

Customer Reviews

A Wise Guide to Life's Pilgrimage that Starts with Actually Celebrating the Mess!
I enjoyed this book myself, then one of our guest writers at our online magazine, [...], Gail Katz, wrote her own recommendation of Rabbi Kula's book.

Gail points out that, as a Jewish woman, this book touched her -- but I can also recommend this to a broader audience, as well.

The entire concept of the book is fresh and appealing because -- let's be honest -- most of us do not lead perfectly organized lives. Our lives are not only messy -- they're filled with ambiguity and daily friction. We love our family, for example, but we question -- and sometimes deeply disagree -- with some family members. The messiness extends further into our workplaces, communities and world.

Rabbi Kula is trying to provide a spiritual framework for accepting that messiness as part of life's pilgrimage. Rather than trying to escape it, he argues, we should realize that a certain messiness is the fabric of life itself. The challenge is where we will allow our yearnings to carry us in this pilgrimage through the mess.

for real
"Yearnings" opens doors and grants the reader an inner journey of redefining personal, daily life. thank you.

soul food
I have read this book twice. I will read it again. Whatever your spiritual belief, whatever your level of faith is or is not, you will be influenced by Rabbi Kula. His fundemental logical conclusions on what make all humans tick is right down the pike. The book is not a polyanna fix for all life's woes but it is sound advice on how to improve your life and improve the lives of the ones around you. You will cherish the read and you will recommend to others..... you can't not!