Kushner faced the heartbreak of his infant son's diagnosis with the degenerative disease, progeria, which would stunt his growth, age him prematurely, and take his life as an early teenager. As a young congregational rabbi, Kushner struggled with the problems of retaining your faith through difficult times and the struggle of returning to "normal" life after a loss. The book that resulted from his quest succeeds in conveying hope and strength to grieving readers.
Kushner's prolific publishing career includes several other books that are well-worth reading. To Life! : A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking capsulizes the joy of being Jewish. A friend recently approached me with her plan to convert to Judaism, and I promptly loaned her this wonderful book. Kushner explores the joys of keeping Kosher, the essential benefits of observing Shabbat, and the beautiful traditions of the Jewish holy days. If you're ever feeling "iffy" on Judaism, this book will reinvigorate your faith and renew your appreciation for the practicality and passion of our religion.
Another of the Rabbi's self-help books is How Good Do We Have to Be?: A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness. Through an innovative examination of the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Kushner suggests that we are often too hard on ourselves and should perhaps forgive ourselves more readily. He exalts the First Couple's bravery for their willingness to risk paradise for the richness of a human existence. Ultimately, like his other works, this book also offers comfort and insight to the reader.
All in all, I would recommend Rabbi Kushner's books to people of all faiths who crave straightforward wisdom and thoughtful comfort. When I read his words, I believe and trust Kushner because he has been through true pain and has dedicated his life to helping other thrive and survive.
