The Book of Job: When Bad Things Happened to a Good Person (Jewish Encounters Series) Hardcover – October 2, 2012

A must read for those grappling with the issue of gratuitous pain in our world. It is a masterpiece from a Rabbi influenced by the greatest thinkers since time immemorial.

There are books that help you understand a topic better, or clarify the difficult points. Then there are books that completely undo your understanding and open a whole new world of thought. This book is the latter.I’ve been studying Job on and off for the last 3 years. During that time I’ve read about a dozen books on the book of Job and topic of suffering. I have learned something from all of them but this book clearly stands out.Kushner doesn’t take the time to go verse by verse and explain what is being said – and I think that is a real benefit of his writing. He aims and grasping the larger ideas – what is the main thought Job and his friends are communication, what is the purpose of God’s interruption, what conclusion are readers supposed to arrive at after finishing the book.Because he approaches the book of Job and the problem of suffering from such a high level he is able to see things and reach conclusions others have missed. I honestly have never heard the final chapters of Job interpreted as he has done it and I am deeply touched by the picture of God and life he draws for his readers.That being said, I am reading this as a Christian and for that reason I did see some theological differences with mainstream Christian thought. But many of those were well founded and challenged me in productive ways.This is a book the author lived through and readers can tell. I believe every person – religious or not – should take the time to read this book and evolve their understanding of pain in the world.

This was clearly a life's labor and a labor of love. I have spent my lifetime puzzling over Job, as well. I have long asked myself if I love the book of Job or if I hate it. My struggle over Job is paralleled by that which I have had with God and life generally; namely, should I love God or hate him, should I love and accept the bitter realities of life or hate them. This book shows how well Job represents this enigma. For the first time ever, after reading rabbi Kushner's book, I can say I am no longer conflicted about Job. I now unequivocally love the book of Job.Kushner's book is one the most profound books written which attempts to take the theodical problem, head on. Kushner's reading and exposition of Job is unique and touching. He also spends a great deal of time reviewing ancient, medieval, modern and even current commentaries and interpretations of the book, making this book an invaluable resource to scholarly study. I love Kushner, the first time I heard him speak was at a college seminar, and he absolutely blew my mind. Since then I have watched him debate on panels, and talk religion with Christians, atheists and Muslims. He always acquits himself admirably and has added much to my life as a Christian, turned radical atheist, turned Christian again; never, even while an atheist, have I ever lost respect or love for Kushner. This book is the magnum opus of a true maestro. God bless you, and keep my Rabbi.

This kind of subject matter is so easily ruined, as the author points out, by well meaning people, who explain to a suffering person that this is God's way of getting us to a higher spiritual status (my wording, not his). But he notes that one commentator suggests a good response to a suffering person is compassion and seeking to alleviate the suffering, as can be done. "I think she may on to something" Kushner suggests. I have not finished the book and he does get quite a bit into scriptural analysis sometimes. I can't fault him for this, as he is obviously a thoughtful biblical scholar. But what I have found of most value half way through the book is it's lack of pretense and honest approach to the issue, without any saccharine veneer of trying to paper over sorrow or suffering with empty religious platitudes. For this I say "thank you!" I am looking forward to finishing the book and rereading it and sharing it. Right now, a house guest has it and is enjoying it quite a bit.

This book is excellent. It marks the culmination of Rabbi Harold Kushner's quest to interpret the biblical Book of Job. Kushner concludes that the biblical book has two parts: the poetry of the middle section being a later insertion with a different focus than the first two chapters and the final chapter of the biblical story. Kushner's book is written in a style that is easy for the reader to follow, even when he is describing events that are complex for us all. I recommend it to every reader who is anguished by disastrous events that appear to happen to good people the world over.

Like everything about it, I'm a happy camper

Thanks to Professor Kushner for enlightening me on this difficult book of the Bible. His interpretations on what God says to Job make most sense to me (compared with the other bible commentaries). His insights are not of the academic nature, but very practical and full of applications and reflections.

Job is a favorite book of the Bible for me and Rabbi Kushner's take is well worth the read. Rabbi Kushner brings a fresh perspective with each of his books and this one is no different. Thousands of years from the Book of Job being written and after hundreds of writers and theologians have broken it down, Kushner reveals new insights.

I guess a Rabbi would have a particular interest in the book of Job with its assumed focus on suffering. I thought he would also have a respect for it as divinely inspired. While the first is evident in Kushner's book the second is not. In fact, although the book reaches an inspiring end it rests on a foundation of sand. The author is so focused on suffering that he seems to me to miss the point of the book of Job altogether.

I first heard Harold S. Kushner during an interview on CCB radio. I was so impressed with his thoughfulness that I right away ordered his book. When it arrived, I immediately read it!. The book did not disappoint. He writes with the calm thoughfulness of one who has been up one side and down the other of this issue. In a world where people are so quick to dismiss God because of the mess we have made of our lives and of each other, Harold S. Kushner treats the subject with respect, humility and a lifetime of insight. I recommend it to you who are reading this review because it will straighten things out for you and give you peace. All pastors, teachers and students of the BIble need to digest this book!