Celebrating Life

"Celebrating Life" is a series of short meditations that Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, wrote after the passing of his father. Sacks is a profound thinker and an eloquent writer who knows just the right anecdote, biblical verse or joke to illustrate his point. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the blessings of everyday life, happiness, humor, faith, parenthood, family, community, morality, and relations between people of different religions. He confronts the problem of evil in the world, up to and including the Holocaust, arguing that true faith requires courageous hope, not naive optimism. In his definition, "Optimism is the believe that things are going to be better. Hope is the belief that we can make things better. Optimism is a passive virtue, hope an active one. It takes no courage to be an optimist, but it does need courage to hope." Moreover, true faith embraces questions rather than running from them. "Every question asked in reverence is the start of a journey towards God. When faith suppresses questions, it dies. When it accepts superficial answers, it begins to wither. Faith is not opposed to doubt. What it is opposed to is the shallow certainty that what we understand is all there is."The book is a quick read that you'll find yourself turning back to again and again.

The book arrived quickly and was in new condition. I look forward to reading it

Seldom is such wisdom rendered with such clarity, such apparent simplicity. It reads like the distillation of a scholar who has straddled the religious and secular worlds with consummate ease.This small gem is also one of the books I like giving most as a gift to people who have more than a superficial interest in the interface between spirituality and everyday life. As a convert to Judaism myself - and one who wrestles frequently with matters religious and spiritual - I dip into it frequently. It is balm to the soul. And Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is, quite simply, the contemporary Jewish writer and thinker I admire most.

I am glad that I found this book. Very insightful reading. Help to see the world and life from different angle and actually show how to live a happy life

He has a great insight to issues. I loved the book.

Excellent!

A Sacks/Times compendium that will stand the test of time.

Excellent, wise book - as always - by Rabbi Sacks! Buy it, read it, reread it, and put it away for another reading later!! You won't regret it!!

For me it is a pleasure to open this book. Wherever you start, you will find yourself in a place, that makes you happy. It is all about faith, God, moral, friendship and more. Holding this book in my hand and having a look inside, I feel I found something like a treasure.And as my mothertongue is German, I especially enjoy the wonderful English Rabbi Sacks speaks. It gives me the feeling, one has while looking at a precious painting.Christel Michal Evenari

Celebrating Life offers many insights into our understanding of the nature of God and His invitation for us to come to know Him better, as well as His will for our lives. Written in an engaging manner, the book's clarity of thought is astounding - so simple, yet profound. The chapters highlight God's relationship approach to us and puts creation into family perspective. A book I am recommending to friends.

Present for friend, seemed to enjoy it.

A very enjoyable read.

Content wonderful, as expected, but print rather small