From Publishers Weekly
Many people regard the 23rd Psalm as one of the most familiar and comforting passages in the Bible. Rabbi Kushner, bestselling author of the spiritual classic When Bad Things Happen to Good People, looks to the psalm as a microcosmic statement about God-its 57 Hebrew words, he says, present "an entire theology" about life and loss. The psalm begins in a place of perfect peace-the psalmist lacks for nothing, and is tended perfectly by God the shepherd-but that peace is shattered by "the shadow of death." Going phrase by phrase through the psalm, Kushner tackles serious questions: what does it mean to lack for nothing? Where is God when we suffer? Some of his interpretations are quite fresh and interesting; for example, "the straight paths" in which God leads the psalmist are anything but straight, he claims, noting that the Hebrew is more accurately rendered "roundabout ways that end up in the right direction." Ultimately, that phrase's message is about trusting God when the way does not seem straightforward. The psalm is not Pollyannaish, but realistic: as Kushner points out, the psalmist has enemies, has known failure and has probably lost a loved one. He draws heavily on rabbinic Judaism, but also references popular culture (including Woody Allen films), Freud, Michelangelo and other diverse sources. Kushner writes well and engagingly, and his tone will make readers feel personally welcomed into the rabbi's study for a comforting one-on-one chat.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Why are the 57 words of the Twenty-third Psalm so popular? Rabbi Kushner thinks that in an increasingly dangerous and confusing world, they offer a comforting message of protection and hope for the eternal future. But the psalm also has requirements: Embedded in its message are expectations to do more than accept comfort. These words expect us to act responsibly and with courage and creativity when life paints us into a corner, and invite us to look for ways to serve God and others on good days and bad. The author's comprehension of personal loss is palpable, and his empathy piercing and comforting. Kushner's nuanced and highly effective audio presentation will lift up people in every type of difficult circumstance. T.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Rabbi Kushner hasn't become any less literate since When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1981) became so popular and beloved that its title was inducted into the American language, like Gone with the Wind and The Making of the President. Nor, as his explication of the most famous biblical psalm demonstrates, has he lost any of the pastoral talent that allows him to speak with cogency and comfort to Christians as well as Jews. He leads us through the famous song of consolation clause by clause, clearing up misconceptions; contrasting ancient, Renaissance, and modern understandings of terms (e.g., anoint); adducing contemporary happenings (e.g., the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing) and common feelings to show how the psalm's assertions and promises apply to our lives today; and gently, clearly disclosing systems of ethical behavior and religious faith that inform the great devotional poem. Perhaps the greatest overarching message of the psalm that Kushner wishes to inculcate is that it tells us that, though God does not prevent evil and suffering, He is always with each person who is wronged, each person who is suffering, and He will provide the resources of spirit to transcend fear and experience the ongoing holiness of life. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
“The author pours into [the book] everything a long life has taught him about this psalm, and all that this psalm has taught him about life. . . . It is a book worthy of attention from people of all faiths.” --The Dallas Morning News

“This is a nurturing book that will bring comfort to those who are grieving and peace to those who are caught in the vise of constant fear.” —Spirituality & Health

“Reaffirms [Rabbi Kushner’s] pre-eminent position among the religious teachers of the 21st century . . .This book is filled with just the right story, anecdote or illustration at just the right place.” --Jewish Media Review

“One of Kushner’s strengths always has been his ability to empathize, to understand the pain of others on a personal level, and to share his gentle wisdom in an accessible manner. . . . Nearly as soothing as the psalm itself, Kushner’s words elucidate, reassure and encourage.” --The Plain Dealer

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From the author of the best-selling When Bad Things Happen to Good People and Living a Life That Matters–a new book of practical spirituality, of inspiration and encouragement gleaned from what may be the best-known and best-loved chapter in the Bible: the Twenty-third Psalm.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." So begins the psalm that, for millennia, has been a source of comfort in grief and of courage in fear. Now Harold Kushner discovers what it has to teach us about living our day-to-day lives. Each chapter discusses one line of the psalm in the context of both the time when it was written and the present day, and illuminates the life lessons contained within it. For example, Kushner shows us that the phrase "My cup runneth over" is a declaration of our gratitude for what life has given us and a rejection of the envy we may feel for what others have. And he draws on the ideas and thoughts of various spiritual figures–from G. K. Chesterton to Martin Buber to Paul Tillich–to further expand our understanding of this great psalm and help us benefit from its everyday spiritual wisdom.

About the Author: Harold S. Kushner is Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts, where he lives. This is his ninth book.

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