- 248 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Only available on web
About This Book
The Book of Jonah stands unique among the biblical books of the prophets because it is almost entirely narrative. And, in contrast to all the other prophetsportrayed as admirable individuals who bravely speak God's word, Jonah stands out as flawed andfleeing from God. We are drawn to Jonah because God gives him an opportunity to redeem himself. His experience inspires us to find our own second chancesāand our own paths to meaningful growth.
Jonah and the Meaning of Our Lives draws on commentaries of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Kimchi, Abarbanel, and the Malbim, as well as contemporary culture and personal experiences to reveal the hidden meanings of this perplexing biblical story. In so doing, it explores many of the larger questions and topics we face, including human nature, our relationship with God, and how we understand ourselves and lead our lives. Rabbi Steven Bob's verse-by-verse commentary intimately connects the ancient wisdom of the text with the reality of our own lives, providing us with inspiration and guidance.
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Note to Readers
- 1. Our Names and Identities
- 2. Understanding the Other
- 3. Coming to Terms with Violence
- 4. Appreciating Context
- 5. Descent and Salvation
- 6. Overcoming Uncertainty
- 7. Redirecting Lives
- 8. Our Faith and Theirs
- 9. Overcoming Despair
- 10. Fate and Free Will
- 11. What We Really Know
- 12. I Am a Jew
- 13. Narrative Imagery
- 14. Fear and Awe
- 15. Troubled Waters
- 16. The Winning Team
- 17. The Giants Win the Pennant
- 18. The Buck Stops Here
- 19. The Scientific Method
- 20. Human Kindness
- 21. A Rickety Ladder
- 22. Telling Our Story
- 23. Nothing Left to Lose
- 24. Happy Thanksgiving
- 25. Strong Waves and Big Rocks
- 26. I Once Was Lost, but Now Iām Found
- 27. Feeling Trapped
- 28. Recovering from a Perfect Storm
- 29. Seeking Community
- 30. Donāt Look Back
- 31. The Power of the Public Pledge
- 32. The Hands of God
- 33. Genuine Forgiveness
- 34. Good Guys and Bad Guys
- 35. Hineini
- 36. The Freedom to Choose
- 37. Who, What, Why, and When
- 38. Letting the Current Carry Me
- 39. Telling Tall Tales
- 40. Controlling Our Inclinations
- 41. The Fred Bob Principle
- 42. Bringing Water to Our Lives
- 43. Seeing Evil
- 44. Playing a Part
- 45. Getting Lost
- 46. Narcissism
- 47. Connecting the Dots
- 48. The Kikayon
- 49. Time, Time, Time
- 50. Facing Challenges
- 51. I Want to Be Big
- 52. Brief Moments
- 53. Communities of Meaning
- About Rabbi Steven Bob
- Other Works by Steven Bob