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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
While the contrast and comparisons are interesting and educational (for those of us, like myself, who isn't too educated on the Jewish religion), there really isn't a focused plot in the book. It's just brief snippets on various subjects. It might have been better if the author went into detail on each of the subjects, rather than just glancing on them.
I did like how she incorporated her Jewish culture into her new Christian culture. It was nice to see that it can be done.
I did like how she incorporated her Jewish culture into her new Christian culture. It was nice to see that it can be done.
This little book of vignettes regarding Jewish religious and cultural traditions made me seek out my local synagogue for classes on Judaism. Winner gives a brief glimpse at how our Christian faith can truly be enhanced and strengthened by ancient practices.
I saw this little book on my shelf when I was home in Delaware earlier this month for my grandpa's memorial service, and I picked it up and read the chapter on mourning. It struck a chord, so I checked it out from the Seattle library yesterday and read the mourning chapter again...and just kept reading.
I'm not sure what to think of Lauren Winner. After reading [b:Girl Meets God: A Memoir|49188|Girl Meets God A Memoir|Lauren F. Winner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1218729417s/49188.jpg|48118], I thought we might be kindred spirits, in a way - mostly because we both love words so much. But, now it's been a few years, and I may have grown away from her. This book, however, is probably still worth reading, if one's interested in the spiritual disciplines.
I'm not sure what to think of Lauren Winner. After reading [b:Girl Meets God: A Memoir|49188|Girl Meets God A Memoir|Lauren F. Winner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1218729417s/49188.jpg|48118], I thought we might be kindred spirits, in a way - mostly because we both love words so much. But, now it's been a few years, and I may have grown away from her. This book, however, is probably still worth reading, if one's interested in the spiritual disciplines.
Winner views Christianity through the lens of Jewish spiritual practices, shedding new light on keeping the Sabbath, fasting, even the value of the (human) body.
With an approach befitting her personal and professional background, Christian writer and Divinity Professor Lauren Winner revisits her Orthodox Jewish roots in an updated version of this spiritual practices guide.
Subtitled “An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline,” Winner explains for readers Orthodox Jewish practices surrounding the Sabbath, fasting, mourning, prayer, hospitality and more, with suggestions on ways Christians could incorporate aspects of these practices into their own lives. The book is short and interesting reading for the curious and open minded person. I enjoyed learning about Orthodox Jewish customs, and well as their history and context as I was only familiar with some of them.
Although this book was originally published in 2003, it is being re-released with updated material and discussion questions in each chapter, which would make this a good book for church groups or book clubs open to spiritual discussion. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Paracelete Press for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Subtitled “An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline,” Winner explains for readers Orthodox Jewish practices surrounding the Sabbath, fasting, mourning, prayer, hospitality and more, with suggestions on ways Christians could incorporate aspects of these practices into their own lives. The book is short and interesting reading for the curious and open minded person. I enjoyed learning about Orthodox Jewish customs, and well as their history and context as I was only familiar with some of them.
Although this book was originally published in 2003, it is being re-released with updated material and discussion questions in each chapter, which would make this a good book for church groups or book clubs open to spiritual discussion. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Paracelete Press for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If I had read this book when it first appeared on my radar, it probably would have merited 4 stars. Now, however, "women doing spiritual disciplines and reflecting on them" is a whole genre, and this is not my very most favorite book in that genre. It's worthwhile, though, not least of all for being significantly shorter than [b:A Year of Biblical Womanhood|13544022|A Year of Biblical Womanhood|Rachel Held Evans|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331832922s/13544022.jpg|19108809] and written through the lens of Jewish spiritual disciplines.
I enjoyed the author's descriptions of various Jewish traditions and how these (or the meanings behind them) can help make a Christian's lived faith more meaningful.
I liked this book. It made me think about my own worship, things that I value, things I might want to try. It was an easy, accessible read.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I just adore Lauren's work. The way she writes is so simple and honest, and it endears me to her. I picked this up after having owned it for years because I've been studying Exodus and Mosaic laws go completely over my head. I loved these little vignettes about the similarities and differences in between Jewish traditions and Christian ones. It fascinates me to learn how a culture who also seeks to worship God with their lives has completely different ways of doing so, that are strict but beautiful. Particularly their emphasis on community, which I feel like we as Christians are finally starting to value in a meaningful way that truly affects how people feel about the Church.
I just adore Lauren's work. The way she writes is so simple and honest, and it endears me to her. I picked this up after having owned it for years because I've been studying Exodus and Mosaic laws go completely over my head. I loved these little vignettes about the similarities and differences in between Jewish traditions and Christian ones. It fascinates me to learn how a culture who also seeks to worship God with their lives has completely different ways of doing so, that are strict but beautiful. Particularly their emphasis on community, which I feel like we as Christians are finally starting to value in a meaningful way that truly affects how people feel about the Church.
I enjoyed this little exploration of practices of Judaism that Christianity has, in many ways, lost. The rituals of Sabbath, of the mezuzah, and of grieving in particular resonate with me. I also totally get Winner's description of fasting as something she probably needs to do but is terrible at. It's refreshing to read someone admitting they aren't good at something but they're going to try it anyway--that seems like a lost art in the church these days.
These are important practices--and as one seeking to be more intentional about my own spiritual practice, and leading a community through seeking more intentional practices, this is a good resource. Plus, frankly, it was kind of fun to read. I liked learning about how these practices play out in a Jewish life and contemplating with the author how they might do the same in a Christian life--though for a different reason, as Winner regularly points out that Jews do these things because they are commanded, because they are obligated (and she has a beautiful reflection, in the aging chapter, on how "obligation" is not the dirty word we so often think!). Why do Christians engage in these practices, given that our traditions generally do not use the words command or obligation in this way? It's all intriguing to think about.
These are important practices--and as one seeking to be more intentional about my own spiritual practice, and leading a community through seeking more intentional practices, this is a good resource. Plus, frankly, it was kind of fun to read. I liked learning about how these practices play out in a Jewish life and contemplating with the author how they might do the same in a Christian life--though for a different reason, as Winner regularly points out that Jews do these things because they are commanded, because they are obligated (and she has a beautiful reflection, in the aging chapter, on how "obligation" is not the dirty word we so often think!). Why do Christians engage in these practices, given that our traditions generally do not use the words command or obligation in this way? It's all intriguing to think about.