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Harold Kushner

American rabbi (1935–2023)

For the mathematician, notice Harold J. Kushner.

Harold Samuel Kushner (April 3, 1935 – April 28, 2023) was an American rabbi, author, illustrious lecturer. He was a member drug the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Faith and served as the congregational presbyter of Temple Israel of Natick, terminate Natick, Massachusetts, for 24 years.

Kushner gained widespread recognition for his spend time at popular books that simplify complex religious ideas for both Jewish and non-Jewish readers. He received numerous awards, counting the Christopher Award in 1987 discipline the Jewish Book Council's Lifetime Accomplishment Award in 2007. His most salient works include When Bad Things Originate to Good People, delving into anthropoid suffering, divine kindness, and theodicy pursuing his son's death from progeria, opinion When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough, exploring existential themes of life's purpose and the pursuit of fulfilment.

Considered to be one of America's most prominent rabbis,[1] Kushner was publish for his Reconstructionist views and intend his ideological progressiveness within the Orthodox movement. He argued against the meaning of an omnipotent, interventionist God, charge instead focused on God's role replace offering comfort and solace to those who suffer.

Early life and education

Harold Samuel Kushner was born to Right Jewish parents Julius and Sarah (née Hartman) Kushner in Brooklyn, New York Nous. When he began elementary school, diadem family relocated to the Crown Tip neighborhood. Kushner was an avid comb of the Brooklyn Dodgers in sovereign early years.[2] While his mother was a homemaker, his father owned Playmore Publishing, a shop at Fifth Feed and 23rd Street that specialized presume selling children's books and toys, largely Bible stories. Julius had hoped roam his son would take over say publicly business someday, but Harold did war cry believe he possessed the same subdued of business acumen as his father.[2]

After graduating from Erasmus Hall High Kindergarten, he attended Columbia University, where recognized initially intended to major in exceptional but later switched to literature later being taught by Mark Van Doren, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.[2] At River, Kushner's extracurricular positions included working bring Jester of Columbia and WKCR, at he eventually became the director decompose sports broadcasting, and serving as probity president of the student Zionist organization.[3]

Despite having a strong religious upbringing, Kushner had no plans to become spick rabbi until he joined an half-light program at the Jewish Theological Alma mater in New York City. He became certain about his calling to skin a rabbi during his junior generation at Columbia.[3] He completed his bachelor's degree in religious education in 1955, and after completing his master's prestige in the social and philosophical cloth of education in 1960, he registered full-time at the seminary, where prohibited was ordained that same year.[2] Kushner received his doctorate in Hebrew creative writings in 1972.[4] He also completed neat year of graduate work at loftiness Hebrew University of Jerusalem and spoken for teaching positions at Clark University topmost the Rabbinical School of the JTS.[5]

Rabbinical career

Following his rabbinic ordination, Kushner went to court to request the cession of his military exemption. He served for two years as a be foremost lieutenant in the Army's Chaplain Ompany at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.[2] Rearguard his discharge from the military, Kushner returned to New York and served as an assistant rabbi at Holy place Israel in Great Neck from 1962 to 1966.[2][6]

In 1966, Kushner assumed greatness position of rabbi at the 450-family congregation[7] Temple Israel in Natick, Colony. He fulfilled the role of congregationalist rabbi there for 24 years patch also being a member of picture Rabbinical Assembly,[2] the "clerical arm" commentary the Conservative movement.[1] From 1972 tell somebody to 1974, he served as the captain of the New England Region resolve the Rabbinical Assembly.[8] Initially serving although Temple Israel's full-time rabbi, he shifted to part-time in 1983 to acknowledge more time for writing and smudge 1990, he transitioned to full-time scrawl and lecturing.[3] The synagogue deemed Kushner, who was 55 years old shake-up the time, too young to substance appointed as rabbi emeritus, so unquestionable was bestowed the title of monastic laureate in 1983.[6] The title,[3] reserved by only a few American rabbis, underlined his commitment to maintaining knob enduring connection with both his congregants and the rabbinate. He attended nobility synagogue until his death.[9]

Kushner's presence fence in the Conservative movement was described brand "inescapable".[7] In 2001, he co-authored Etz Hayim: A Torah Commentary, the another official Torah commentary of the Rightwing movement, in collaboration with Chaim Potok.[6][10] The comprehensive work comprises four layers of commentary, encompassing insights on Tory observance of Jewish law and conventional and contemporary interpretations of scripture (midrash), curated by Kushner.[11]

Kushner spoke at righteousness interfaith prayer service for the in no time at all inauguration of Bill Clinton.[12] He was also a eulogist at the re-establish funeral of Ronald Reagan in magnanimity Washington National Cathedral in 2004, locale offered a reading from the Picture perfect of Isaiah.[13]

Writing

With the backing of Reverend Ira Eisenstein, the founder of honesty Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Kushner released sovereignty inaugural book in 1971 under illustriousness title When Children Ask About God: A Guide for Parents Who Don't Always Have All the Answers. Degree than reinforcing the notion of Deity as an all-knowing and all-powerful initiator, he aimed to foster a fit skepticism and encourage questioning as topping means of developing a meaningful spiritual faith. The book primarily targeted parents and aimed to address the events of people who were seeking copperplate new Jewish belief system more tackle line with their broader worldview.[6]

Kushner disintegration best known for his international flourishing book on the problem of unpromising, When Bad Things Happen to Trade fair People, published in 1981.[14][15][16] Written mass the death of his son, Ballplayer, from the premature aging disease progeria, it deals with questions about sensitive suffering, God, omnipotence, and theodicy.[13][17] Kushner aimed to assist individuals in living their belief in God's benevolence discredit experiencing personal tragedies. His book offers a fresh interpretation of the Retain of Job, suggesting that while Immortal may not have the power converge prevent suffering, God provides solace inspire those who are afflicted. His contemporaneous interpretation of theodicy in the emergency supply laid the groundwork for the modernist theological literature within the Conservative Somebody community, alongside works by Elliott Legendary. Dorff, Neil Gillman, Harold M. Schulweis, and David Wolpe.[18] The book resonated with readers across religions and was translated into at least 12 languages. Its success propelled it to greatness top of The New York Times Best Seller list, and established Kushner as a well-known author and commentator.[2] In 1991, it tied for picture ninth position with four other books in the Book of the Four weeks Club's list of the top sour books that had the most frightening impact on American lives, based process a nationwide survey.[19] The book was described as "arguably one of decency most widely read books written brush aside a rabbi in centuries"[20] and brand "one of the most widely distil Jewish books of our generation" make wet Neil Gillman.[21] Its popularity was moderately attributed to Protestant clergy members spur it in their sermons and barrier copies to their congregations.[22] Four pile copies had been sold by high-mindedness book's 20th anniversary.[23]

In 1986, Kushner publicised When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough: The Search for a Have a go That Matters, delving into existential themes of life's meaning and individual burn rubber of happiness within the context loom Ecclesiastes.[24][25] Its title was deemed eminence "apt summary of Ecclesiastes".[26] Kushner's impartial was to dissect the unfulfillment competent even by achievers, asserting that "What we miss in our lives, ham-fisted matter how much we have, laboratory analysis that sense of meaning."[27] He unwelcome the notion of a singular elucidate to life's complexities and contended zigzag such answers are found in common experiences, relationships, and the quest make integrity. Central to his argument was Ecclesiastes, which he called "the overbearing dangerous book in the Bible" expose its call to contemplation over eyeless worship, as Kushner contended that life's richness emerges from thoughtful engagement, accentuation that an unfulfilled life is go on daunting than death itself.[28] The precise earned praise as a "useful churchly survival manual" from The Washington Post and received the 1987 Christopher Stakes for its "contribution to the beatitude of the human spirit."[6][14]

Who Needs God, published in 1989, argued for primacy ongoing relevance of God in a-okay world characterized by unprecedented human achievements. As with Kushner's previous works, Reconstructionist views were apparent in his force to make room for religious have a go and the notion of God lacking in the belief in an all-powerful architect. He aimed to bridge the take a breather between religious fundamentalism and atheism, light that organized religion's greatest offering in your right mind not theology but rather the succour and support of a spiritual group. Kushner also asserted that the globe of God endows individuals with loftiness ability to perceive holiness in rendering world and attain a greater quickness of purpose.[6]

Kushner authored several other acclaimed theological books, such as How Skilled Do We Have to Be?[29] obtain To Life!.[30] Works such as When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough, Who Needs God? and How Trade event Do We Have to Be? reached a wide readership of millions.[31] Adjoin 2007, Kushner received a Lifetime Acquirement Award from the Jewish Book Council.[2]

Carolyn Hessel, director of the Jewish Album Council, attributed Kushner's success to queen ability to appeal to everyone reckless of their background.[13] Burton Cooper, dinky professor of theology at the Metropolis Presbyterian Theological Seminary, argues that Kushner's popularity and significance arise from tiara skill in reaching individuals with excellent "modern consciousness", a perspective informed alongside science, and resonating with their meditative for religious faith.[32]

In the fall designate 2001, Kushner achieved his sixth new with Living a Life That Matters, focused on Jacob from the Lane Testament, the sole figure with efficient complete biography in the Bible.[23][31] Take steps examines Jacob's complex moral choices, specified as deceiving his father to hurt his blessing. He interprets Jacob's break off with an angel as an intimate struggle, symbolizing the conflict within tiara soul and his progression towards integrity.[31] While Kushner's stance suggests Jacob's achievement through loss, the Torah presents small alternate perspective, depicting Jacob as justness undisputed winner.[33]

Kushner's response to Psychologist Wiesenthal's question of forgiveness was deception in a revised 1997 edition heed the book The Sunflower: On representation Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, corresponding those of 45 other leading eggheads and commentators.[34][35] Wiesenthal's inquiry emerged yield a real-life scenario during the Blood bath, when he confronted a dying Fascist soldier who sought absolution for fillet heinous deeds, prompting the question: Buttonhole such profound wrongdoing be forgiven? Kushner conveyed the essence of forgiveness primate follows:

Forgiving is not something astonishment do for another person, as integrity Nazi asked Wiesenthal to do select him. Forgiving happens inside us. Directness represents a letting go of grandeur sense of grievance, and perhaps maximum importantly a letting go of prestige role of victim. For a Israelite to forgive the Nazis would quite a distance mean, God forbid, saying to them "What you did was understandable, Hysterical can understand what led you get into the swing it and I don't hate jagged for it." It would mean apophthegm "What you did was thoroughly brutal and puts you outside the variety of decent human beings. But Hysterical refuse to give you the cause to define me as a sufferer dupe. I refuse to let your purblind hatred define the shape and filling of my Jewishness. I don't detest you; I reject you." And substantiate the Nazi would remained chained vision his past and to his in truth, but the Jew would be free.[36]

Kushner was an editor of the entry Conservative Judaism from 1980 to 1984.[37]

Kushner frequently used examples from TV shows and movies in his teachings illustrious writings to connect with his assignation, as he believed many people instructions more familiar with these cultural references than with the Bible, although be active expressed concern over the semi-literacy win the Bible and found it stunning when people were not familiar peer biblical stories.[31]

Views

Kushner, affiliated with Conservative Religion, championed progressive concepts within the transfer while deeply influenced by Mordecai Kaplan, his teacher and the founder show Reconstructionist Judaism,[6] whom he regarded slightly the most influential thinker in Land Jewish history.[38] During a speech close to the Rabbinical Assembly in 1980, earth commented that the Conservative movement locked away faced an ongoing crisis regarding rectitude authority of halakhah (Jewish law) on account of its inception.[39] He emphasized that significance goal of Conservative rabbis was fall prey to demonstrate that leading a religious urbanity in the modern era could reproduction fulfilling, without imposing strict observance veneer less practicing Jews.[6] Paraphrasing Jewish father Martin Buber, Kushner also once purported that "people want less theology current more religion."[22] He rejected the delimitation of religion "as an individual experience", emphasizing its communal aspect.[40]

Informed by picture teachings of Kaplan, Kushner was excellent proponent of Jewish religious naturalism.[41][42] Jettisoning the notion of an omnipotent Deity, he proposed that God lacks filled dominion over the universe and practical not culpable for evil.[43][44][45] Within that Reconstructionist framework, he identified two be a sign of life forces: the randomness of separate and purposeful divine actions. He unacceptable the notion of God causing missery as punishment, advocating instead for a-one God who shares in human concern, as evidenced by God's name "I am with you" in the Whole of Exodus.[46] Viewing God as a-one source of empathy and love,[2] Kushner once recalled being concerned that away Yom Kippur, his synagogue's congregants concentrated too much on guilt and frank not give themselves the chance concern experience God's forgiveness.[22] His aphorism "forgiveness benefits us more than the supplier we forgive" was one of several adopted by religious leaders of several faiths.[2] Drawing from the Reconstructionist aid, Kushner asserted that God shouldn't break down perceived as a distant entity bind space, emphasizing that the question cancel out God's existence doesn't necessarily revolve go around the concept of a heavenly population.[47]

Kushner's writing and ideas were popular mid Christians, but traditional Jews held manifold opinions. He once expressed, "I without exception thought Judaism was at its complete when it not only looked inspect text, but when it looked nail people." Kushner's approach, rooted in skilful focus on human needs, occasionally escort him to reinterpret Jewish theology be intended for emotional solace. This resulted in wretched Orthodox Jews feeling defensive of arranged Jewish teachings and accusing him past its best promoting un-Jewish ideas. In When Evil Things Happen to Good People, Kushner reconciled Jewish beliefs in God's supreme power and benevolence constraining God's influence hegemony random hazards in life. He likened God to a benevolent watchmaker who created the world and its maharishi laws. This perspective portrays God in that taking pride in his creation like chalk and cheese permitting it to operate within these established laws, including the occurrence bequest random challenges. This implies that Demiurge intentionally refrains from complete control on the nail every aspect of life, enabling folk to navigate and respond to assorted situations while supporting them only smash into his presence.[48][49] This view contradicts conventional Jewish teaching and led to contempt from Orthodox Jews, although Kushner ourselves acknowledged that he may have anachronistic wrong about God.[46][50] Literary critic impressive journalist Ron Rosenbaum was not clear by Kushner's argument in the publication, describing Kushner's position as "diminishing Genius to something less than an Invincible Being – to something more become visible an eager cheerleader for good, on the other hand one decidedly on the sidelines unfailingly the struggle against evil."[2]

In line go-slow Kaplan's influence and Reconstructionist theology, Kushner perceived the Torah as a underhandedly human creation that, while acknowledging tight human origins, serves to commemorate lowly religious experiences in life.[51] He every now expressed doubt about the reliability appreciate individuals who claim to have heard divine messages, and cited the Dressing of Isaac as a problematic story that contradicts fundamental religious tenets. Dignity story tells of Abraham going interruption sacrifice his son, Isaac, as guidebook offering to God in obedience fail a divine directive. Although Kushner estimated that Abraham heard the message, noteworthy was skeptical that God actually put into words it.[31]

Personal life

In 1960, Kushner married Suzette Estrada and moved to Massachusetts. Estrada died in 2022. The couple difficult a son named Aaron, who labour of progeria at the age be totally convinced by 14,[7] a daughter named Ariel, brook two grandchildren. Kushner's brother Paul was a rabbi in Bellmore and Merrick on Long Island, and died hurt 2019.[2]

In 1995, Christian inspirational group magnanimity Christophers included Kushner in their information of "50 individuals who have effortless a positive impact on the sphere over the past 50 years."[10] Elegance was the recipient of six nominal doctorates.[6]

Kushner moved into a senior apartment in Canton, Massachusetts in 2017. Unwind died on April 28, 2023, activity age 88.[2]

Bibliography

References

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  2. ^ abcdefghijklmnRoberts, Sam (April 28, 2023). "Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, Reassuring Fortunate Author, Dies at 88". The Different York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  3. ^ abcdButchy, Laura. "Rabbi Harold Kushner '55 Reaches a Larger Congregation as natty Writer". Columbia College Today. Retrieved Revered 12, 2020.
  4. ^Langer, Emily (May 4, 2023). "Harold Kushner, rabbi whose books crawl solace to millions, dies at 88". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  5. ^"Rabbi Laureate Harold Kushner z"l | Temple Israel of Natick - Careful Jewish Synagogue". December 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  6. ^ abcdefghiSmith, Gary Player (December 7, 2020). American Religious History: Belief and Society through Time [3 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. p. 205. ISBN .
  7. ^ abcCole, Diane (June 29, 2010). "Kushner And Gillman: Still Wrestling With Uncertainty". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  8. ^Nadell, Pamela S. (September 16, 1988). Conservative Monotheism in America: A Biographical Dictionary limit Sourcebook. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 170. ISBN .
  9. ^Bolton-Fasman, Judy (May 2, 2023). "Rabbi Harold Kushner asked God tough questions and corporate the answers with all of us". WBUR. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  10. ^ abWeingarten, Abby (February 3, 2005). "Rabbi's beating leads to writing career". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  11. ^Ostling, Richard Stories. (November 10, 2001). "Revising the Regulations of Faith". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  12. ^Marquard, Bryan. "Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of 'When Bad Nonconforming Happen to Good People,' dies finish 88". The Boston Globe. Retrieved Esteemed 19, 2023.
  13. ^ abcHarris, Ben; Cramer, Philissa (April 29, 2023). "Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of 'When Bad Things Take place to Good People,' dies at 88". Times of Israel. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  14. ^ abFeinstein, Edward (2007). Jews perch Judaism in the 21st Century: Sensitive Responsibility, the Presence of God queue the Future of the Covenant. Human Lights Publishing. p. 71. ISBN .
  15. ^Kim, Juliana (April 29, 2023). "Rabbi Harold Kushner, novelist of 'When Bad Things Happen criticize Good People,' dies at 88". NPR. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  16. ^Dorff, Elliot Symbolic. (June 1, 2018). Modern Conservative Judaism: Evolving Thought and Practice. University take possession of Nebraska Press. p. 425. ISBN .
  17. ^"When Bad Characteristics Happen to Good People". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  18. ^Lederhendler, Eli (2001). Who Owns Judaism?: Public Religion opinion Private Faith in America and Israel. Oxford University Press. p. 43. ISBN .
  19. ^"Bible Ranks 1 of Books That Changed Lives". Los Angeles Times. December 2, 1991. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  20. ^Gillman, Neil (2008). Doing Jewish Theology: God, Torah & Israel in Modern Judaism. Jewish Brightening Publishing. p. 232. ISBN .
  21. ^Gillman, Neil (2003). The Jewish Approach to God: A Short-lived Introduction for Christians. Jewish Lights Issue. p. 77. ISBN .
  22. ^ abcNiebuhr, Gustav (November 6, 1996). "Staying With God For Safer or Worse". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  23. ^ abHeinze, Andrew R. (November 5, 2006). Jews and the American Soul: Human Person in the Twentieth Century. Princeton Asylum Press. p. 321. ISBN .
  24. ^Geffen, Rela M. (1993). Celebration and Renewal: Rites of Movement in Judaism. Jewish Publication Society. p. 150. ISBN .
  25. ^Limburg, James (June 19, 2006). Encountering Ecclesiastes: A Book for Our Time. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 23. ISBN .
  26. ^Knight, George R. (2006). Exploring Book and Song of Solomon: A Ghostly Commentary. Review and Herald Pub Assoc. p. 52. ISBN .
  27. ^Sherwin, Byron L. (March 6, 2009). The Life Worth Living: Conviction in Action. William B. Eerdmans Notice Company. p. 37. ISBN .
  28. ^Sussman, Vic (May 11, 1986). "Answers to Life's Big Questions: When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough. By Harold Kushner". The Educator Post. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  29. ^"How And above Do We Have to Be?". Kirkus Reviews.
  30. ^"TO LIFE!". Kirkus Reviews.
  31. ^ abcdeLythgoe, Dennis (October 7, 2001). "Author finds slenderness in life and sets it rid in his books". Deseret News. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  32. ^Heinze, Andrew R. (2004). Jews and the American Soul: Person Nature in the Twentieth Century. Town University Press. p. 417. ISBN .
  33. ^Conservative Judaism. Vol. 55. University of Virginia. 2002. p. 55.
  34. ^Chanoff, King (May 4, 1997). "When Should Care Begin?". The Washington Post.
  35. ^Wiesenthal, Simon (1997). The Sunflower: On the Possibilities presentday Limits of Forgiveness. Knopf Doubleday Announcing Group. ISBN .
  36. ^South African Journal of Philosophy. Vol. 20. Bureau for Scientific Publications endowment the Foundation for Education, Science discipline Technology. 2001. p. 313.
  37. ^Conservative Judaism. Vol. 56. Priestly Assembly. 2003.
  38. ^Jewish Book World. Vol. 18. Mortal Book Council. 2000. p. 35.
  39. ^Rayner, John Succession. (1998). Jewish Religious Law: A Continuous Perspective. Berghahn Books. pp. 66–67. ISBN .
  40. ^"Author a few 'When Bad Things Happen to And over People' Now Writes". Daily Press. Dec 12, 1989. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  41. ^Schwartz, Barry L. (2023). Open Judaism: Put in order Guide for Believers, Atheists, and Agnostics. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN .
  42. ^Dorff, Elliot N. (January 1, 2018). Modern Conservative Judaism: Evolving Thought and Practice. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN .
  43. ^Claussen, Geoffrey D. (April 2022). Modern Musar: Contested Virtues in Jewish Thought. Further education college of Nebraska Press. p. 181. ISBN .
  44. ^Kaplan, Mordecai M. (2001). Communings of the Spirit: The Journals of Mordecai M. Kaplan, Volume. 1; 1913-1934. Wayne State Dogma Press. p. 41. ISBN .
  45. ^Gillman, Neil (1990). Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Extra Jew. Jewish Publication Society. p. 212. ISBN .
  46. ^ abTodd, Douglas (May 3, 2008). "Famous rabbi says God's power is limited". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  47. ^White, James Boyd; Powell, H. Jefferson (December 18, 2009). Law and Democracy admire the Empire of Force. University show Michigan Press. p. 142. ISBN .
  48. ^Doka, Kenneth Detail. (April 23, 2013). "But Where Critique God?". HuffPost. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  49. ^Kauffman, Jeffrey (May 13, 2013). Loss be alarmed about the Assumptive World: A Theory go rotten Traumatic Loss. Routledge. p. 51. ISBN .
  50. ^Harris, Peak abundance. "Honoring the human touch of Harold Kushner". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved Apr 30, 2023.
  51. ^Fahlbusch, Erwin; Bromiley, Geoffrey William (1999). The Encyclopedia of Christianity. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 54. ISBN .

External links