When Words Fail (eBook)

A Religious Response to Undeserved Hurt

Sholom Stern (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

1999
237 Seiten
Jason Aronson, Inc. (Verlag)
978-1-4617-3414-7 (ISBN)

Infos

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When Words Fail: A Religious Response to Undeserved Hurt is written for the pastoral counselor as well as for all those who accept the teachings of their respective religious traditions and the insights of the behavioral sciences as being indispensable tools in the healing process. As the author, Rabbi Sholom Stern, writes, "e;Anyone who brings with him or her the spiritual or sacramental teachings of his or her faith, combined with an orientation employed by counselors, psychologists, or psychotherapists, is functioning as a pastoral counselor."e;In this profound and uplifting volume, Rabbi Stern demonstrates that the Jewish tradition and the classical teachings of Judaism as reflected in biblical and rabbinic literature, as well as in the legal codes and hasidic literature, contain insights into human nature anticipating those popularized by today's behavioral scientists. Themes such as loneliness, companionship, comfort, listening, silence, nonverbal communications, responding to tragedy, and reconciling ourselves with a God who appears at times to be deaf to our cries are discussed, with an emphasis on how traditional Jewish sources have treated these important issues.Rabbi Sholom Stern has spent over thirty years in the rabbinate helping those who have been ill or have experienced the loss of a loved one. Rabbi Stern states, "e;I never cease to be amazed at how a kind and sensitive remark to the emotionally distressed has the capacity of touching one's soul and provides a measure of healing. There have been times when a gentle touch of another person's hand or a hug has been more efficacious in raising one's spirits than the most eloquent words that one has the capacity to articulate. Ultimately, the glory of God is revealed in the majesty of human kindness, which is the thesis of this book."e;

Autor

Rabbi Sholom Stern, spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in Cedarhurst, NY, was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in June 1966. A graduate of Yeshiva University, he is a trained pastoral counselor, having received a doctorate in pastoral counseling from the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill., in 1985. Currently he serves as honorary president of the Rabbi Isaac Trainin Coordinating Council of Bikur Cholim of Greater New York after having served as president for four years. The council promotes compassionate care for the sick, frail, and homebound, and serves as a national clearing house and resource center for the American Jewish Community in the area of bikur cholim (visiting the sick). Rabbi Stern is married to the former Batya Rabinowitz and they have two children, Eliyahu Etan and Danya Ronit.

Inhalt

Introduction1. The Pastor in JudaismSpeaking Authoritatively, but with a Compassionate VoiceChief Actor in the Healing Drama2. Give Me Friendship or DeathHealth and Human CompanionshipGuilt and MourningCase Study of a Self-Indulgent LifeExcommunication and MourningAlone with GodSitting Shivah without Any VisitorsBeyond the Destroyed TempleLife and Dialogue3. Enter the ComforterThe Non-Professional in the Healing ProcessThe Therapist as a FriendSilence, A Prelude to Venting AngerDoes job Express a Death Wish?Shattering of Eternal VeritiesBittush--A Hasidic Approach to RecoveryNever Letting Go of Guilt FeelingsThe Victim Interceding for Friends4. ListeningGreatest Comfort, "Be Quiet, Let Me Speak"Jacob's and Elkanah's FailuresEveryman's Question--Is God Listening?The Lead Role without a WordThe Handmaid Acting as Sarah's MotherListening with the Third Ear5. When Silence is GoldenThe Bible's Most Famous SilenceSilence Speaking Louder Than WordsWhen Knowing Too Much Induces SilenceHighest Praise to GodA Teacher's SilenceThe Loudest Noise in the World6. Give Me Your Hand: Reflections on Nonverbal CommunicationThe Healing TouchRabbi Johanan's TherapyEyes and Nose--The Silent MessengersClothing and Nonverbal CommunicationCain's Body LanguageSemichah--Ordaining through Touch7. Responding to TragedyEvery Man Has His Breaking PointAsserting Power in a Powerless SettingGod Favoring the PursuedThe Weakness of Phyysical PowerFeeling Superior through LaughterThe Present Doesn't Determine the FutureParallel between Job and ZionThe Most Perfect Thing--A Broken HeartJob, The Man with No HistoryLife--A Pledge Returned to GodCan Evil Be Good?Creative IllnessThe Holocaust--Acquiring Special Credit8. Making Your Peace with GodWhere is My Father?Metaneeds More Than Basic NeedsI Know My Redeemer LivesRevealing Our Darker SideDepression and Distancing Ourselves from GodFighting Death, Asserting LifeOur Humiliation and God's TearsJob's Healing without God's AnswerLiberated from Prison of Self-CenterednessConcluding ThoughtsBibliographyIndex

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 31.10.1999
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Schulbuch / Wörterbuch ► Lexikon / Chroniken
• Themenwelt: Sonstiges ► Geschenkbücher
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Judentum
• Themenwelt: Recht / Steuern ► Öffentliches Recht
• Themenwelt: Technik
• ISBN-10: 1-4617-3414-2 / 1461734142
• ISBN-13: 978-1-4617-3414-7 / 9781461734147