Celebrating Life

British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has an extraordinary way with words--poetical, philosophical, magical, intensely personal and exquisitely inspirational. His latest book, Celebrating Life: Finding Happiness in Unexpected Places is a joyous discovery of the power of prayer, the majesty of faith, the landscape of beauty, the meaning of happiness, the glory of God, and, above all, the gift of life--which, he says, is nothing more than "being ourselves."

Making a blessing over life, writes the Chief Rabbi, is the best way of turning life into a blessing. God often chooses circuitous routes, "but it helps to know that where we are, here, now, is where we need to be." And, quoting the 19th-century philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore, he adds: "We are worth what we are willing to share with others... Happiness is not made by what we own: it is what we share." Shot through with humility, humour and hope, this book is itself an act of sharing. Each of the 50-odd essays--the summation of Rabbi Sacks's own tests and tribulations--provides a rich and rewarding read to anyone with five minutes or so to spare, particularly (though not exclusively) in the throes of a fraught and frustrating day. The intimate, and often courageous, reflections of one of this country's most respected religious leaders, they constitute a powerful antidote to despair and depression, a path to happiness and peace, and a recognition, in the Chief Rabbi's words, that "life is beautiful if we open our eyes." --Meir Persoff

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If you are feeling negative about life - read this book - Rated
I am not Jewish - not sure if I even believe in God - but this book has opened my eyes. As an avid book reader of many genres, this one simply changed the way I view life and those around me. It's easy to read. You don't need any marathon reading sessions to get through it. One short chapter is fine or, like me, find it hard to put down at just one. If you can't afford it, get it out of the library. I think you will find it worth it.

A thought provoking book, in a good way - Rated
I've read through the whole thing, and am glad I did so, but in future I'll probably dip into it. It's one of those books with short self-contained chapters where you'll think to yourself "I'll just read one chapter before I go to bed" and suddenly realise you've been there half an hour or more!

It doesn't presuppose any knowledge of Judaism, nor indeed, that the reader is Jewish (the chapters were originally columns in The Times, although they have been reworked for the book) but there are definitely things there for those who do and are.