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FREE TOWARD A MEANINGFUL LIFE: THE WISDOM OF THE REBBE MENACHEM MENDEL SCHNEERSON PDF Rabbi Simon Jacobson | 352 pages | 02 Nov 2004 | HarperCollins Publishers Inc | 9780060732783 | English | New York, United States Toward a Meaningful Life - Wikipedia A blueprint for living an ethical and meaningful life, based on the teachings of the late leader of the Lubavitch movement of Hassidic Jewry. Adapter Jacobson has edited and prepared the public talks of Rabbi Schneerson widely known as the Rebbe and believed by many of his followers to be the messiah for publication for 14 years. Here he presents the essence of the Rebbe's more universalist teachings, made relevant to non-Jews and assimilated Jews. In three sections on man, society, and GodJacobson paraphrases the core of the Rebbe's teachings. Living a moral and meaningful life, according to Rabbi Schneerson, is predicated on the recognition of God. A believer perceives life as a gift from God whose purpose is to allow us to improve the world and use our talents to enrich the lives of others. Sex, according to the Rebbe, is wholesome and even sacred within the context of marriage. A healthy life is also relatively devoid of materialist pursuits and extraneous material comforts. Death is a journey in another vehicle rather than an end of life. Quotes from the Rebbe, anecdotes from his life, and an array of Jewish commentary supplement the text. While spiritual seekers may find more questions raised than answered, Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson book lays down the framework of a consistent moral vision. Author tour. If the authors are serious, this is a silly, distasteful book. The authors have created a sort of anti-Book of Virtues in this encyclopedic compendium of the ways and means of power. Everyone wants power and everyone is in a constant duplicitous game to Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson more power at the expense of others, according to Greene, a screenwriter and former editor at Esquire Elffers, a book packager, designed the volume, with its attractive marginalia. We live today as courtiers once did in royal courts: we must appear civil while attempting to crush all those around us. These laws boil down to being as ruthless, selfish, manipulative, and deceitful as possible. Quotations in the margins amplify the lesson being taught. While compelling in the way an auto accident might be, the book is simply nonsense. Rules often contradict each other. To ask why this is so would be a far more useful project. A timely, vividly realized reminder to slow down and harness the restorative wonders of serenity. An exploration of the importance of clarity through calmness in an increasingly fast-paced world. Recognizing that this goal requires immense personal discipline, the author draws on the representational histories of John F. These examples demonstrate how others have evolved past the noise of modern life and into the solitude of productive thought and cleansing tranquility. Throughout the narrative, he promotes that concept mindfully and convincingly. Already have an account? Log in. Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials. Sign Up. Pub Date: Sept. No Comments Yet. Page Count: Publisher: Viking. Show all comments. More by Robert Greene. More About This Book. Pub Date: Oct. Page Count: Publisher: Portfolio. More by Ryan Holiday. Please sign up to continue. Almost there! Reader Writer Industry Professional. Send me weekly Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson recommendations and inside scoop. Keep me logged in. Sign in using your Kirkus account Sign in Keep me logged in. Need Help? Contact us: or email customercare kirkus. Please select an existing bookshelf OR Create a new bookshelf Continue. Book Reviews, Sites, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction | Kirkus Reviews Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Other editions. Enlarge cover. Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Details if other :. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Toward a Meaningful Life is a spiritual road map for living based on the teachings of one of the foremost religious leaders of our time: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. We learn to bridge the divisions between accelerated technology and decelerated morality, between unprecedented worldwide unity and unparalleled personal disunity. At the threshold of a new world where matter and spirit converge, the Rebbe proposes spiritual principles that unite people as opposed to the materialism that divides them. In doing so, he continues to lead us toward personal and universal redemption, toward a meaningful life, and toward God. Get A Copy. Paperbackpages. More Details Original Title. Other Editions 7. Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 4. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Jul 10, Marisabel Bonet-Cruz rated it it was amazing. You never forget the book you were reading when your Mother passes away. This is mine. It allowed me to cry, to hurt, and to find peace, even if these were not the original reasons why I bought the book. Indeed, I did not buy this book in order to reflect on her passing. I bought it because The Rebbe is one of those spiritual leaders that inspire me, and allow me to get closer to G-d. I bought it because it is a book about G-d, a topic I enjoy studying, and because it is a book written by a Jew You never forget the book you were reading when your Mother passes away. I bought it because it is a book about G-d, a topic I enjoy studying, and because it is a book written by a Jew for a Jewish audience. I couldn't envision not owning a copy of this book, as it exposes some of The Rebbe's most fundamental ideas and visions. It allows you to reflect on life and on G-d, while at the same time allowing you to grow closer to your faith and to living a better life. It is purely coincidental that it happened to be the book I was reading when my Mother passed away, a fact that permeated the book as I struggled to finish it. Its chapters on death, on the cycles of life and aging, and on life after death are haunting. Indeed, the ideas behind the chapters allow you to truly let go of someone who is dying, knowing that they are never truly gone. They are hard words to accept, but they ring true. There are many aspects of this book which are outstanding. You read about science and about modern society. You understand how people of faith as deep as The Rebbe come to hold G-d as above everything, and truly beyond everything. It renews your faith and your awe of G-d. If you don't believe in G-d, then it allows you to understand the faith and traditions and dogmas of Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson Jewish People. At times, you get angry and at other times you wonder how some people believe the things they believe. It is well written and neatly divided into sections, Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson you always know what to expect. The chapters on G-d are the most difficult to read, because they ask you to elevate your mind to a place that is nowhere near your reality. You climb and climb and climb If you can only read one book on Jewish faith, make it this one. I have read this book several times since it first came out. I try to read it at least once or twice a year. Whatever your religious background is, this book can speak to many people on a variety of levels. Sep 15, Yaakov Bernadyn rated it really liked it. The advice in this book is practical and pragmatic. I'm not sure you would need to be a rabbi to Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson or hear it from one, either. Sound suggestions. Although not too detailed in this review, I can say Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson very glad I found and read Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson book. Oct 30, Lauren rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: anyone. Shelves: always-reading. Feb 11, Jackie rated it liked it. This book has the root of some very powerful ideas, but they're too condensed here to have much substance. That said, it has ignited my interest in the Rebbe, which I guess was the point of the book in the first place. I hope soon to delve into some of his translated farbrengens. Jan 08, Caroline Snowden rated it really liked it. Interesting read with some valuable insights. Jan 12, Carrie marked it as reference. I am reading this for a book club. It should lead to some interesting discussions. View 2 comments. Dec 12, Marnie rated it it was amazing. This is a great book. You can open to any page and read. After reading a chapter, there is definitely time for discussion. Thought provoking and spiritual. This book is written by a Jewish rabbi, basing beliefs on the Old Testament and also the teachings of another rabbi, called "one of the foremost religious leaders of our time.

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