The Shmuz on Life: Stop Surviving, Start Living

by Ben Tzion Shafier

Ask someone today, “How are you doing?” and you will hear some interesting responses. “Hanging in there.” “Surviving.”

That is a reaction you would expect from a man who just found out he has terminal cancer and has six months to live. How do you explain it coming from people living in the lap of luxury, enjoying wealth, freedom, and almost limitless opportunities? HANGING IN THERE? SURVIVING?!

More than a mere expression, it is indicative of a deep dissatisfaction just beneath the surface. That's not the way it's supposed to be - not the way Hashem wants it to be.

Why did Hashem create us? Why is there suffering? Why is there pain?

Here is a book that answers these and other deep life-questions, in an engaging, entertaining manner. It offers a roadmap and the inspiration to create a life of meaning and purpose - to stop merely surviving and start living.

Written in an easy-to-read, contemporary style, this powerful book offers a road map and the inspiration to create A LIFE OF MEANING AND PURPOSE - to stop merely surviving and start living.

Genres: Jewish

202 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Born and bred in Kew Gardens Hills, Rabbi Shafier joined the Choftez Chaim Yeshiva after High school. First learning in Forest Hills for two years, he then studied under Rabbi Davidowitz and Rabbi Harris when they were co-Rosh Yeshiva in Rochester. He then moved on to the Rosh Yeshiva's Blatt Shiur in Chofetz Chaim Queens where he learned for 3 years.

Shortly thereafter he got married and he and his new family moved to Rochester, where he was learning in Kollel and giving the 11th grade Shiur. He remained in Rochester for 12 years. He then moved to Monsey, NY, where he was a Rebbe in the new Chofetz Chaim branch there for 3 years. Upon the Rosh Yeshiva's request he stopped teaching to devote his time to running Tiferes Bnei Torah.

Rabbi Shafier, a happily married father of 6 children currently resides in Monsey, NY.

Reviews

[Kressel Housman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I edited this book, so it came out just the way I like it.

[GoAskPerl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Life changing. Puts life in perspective and makes you realize how lucky you are.

[Eliezer Sneiderman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is based on Mesilat Yesharim. It is an easy to understand, modernized approach to the text. My problem is that I am not a big fan of Mesilat Yesharim.

I do not think that the purpose of creation was man's pleasure hence you lost me in the intro.

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very effective in driving home messages that are of utmost importance for living a meaningful life.

[Leah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes difficult concepts and puts them into simple, easy-to-understand stories and mashalim (parables/metaphors) so you can internalize the ideas. Like Mesilas Yesharim for the modern day reader, if you want to understand Judaism's take on basic philosophical questions like, what's the meaning of life, how do I figure out my purpose in this world, what happens after death, etc. I've been sort of having a lot of existential crises lately so it was nice to hear a fresh perspective on the topic, in such a straighforward and engaging style.
Some of the ideas were actually new to me and I would have liked a few footnotes with his sources so I could look it up, but there weren't any (except some chapters he started off with an epigraph from Mesilas Yesharim or Chovos Halevavos-type of works).
I feel like I should buy this and keep it around and reread it periodically- like other mussar works, even when you think you know it, i think it would be fresh again at different points of my life when I can take different types of insights out of it. And also just to refresh its lessons in my mind- its all too easy to get caught up in day to day living and forget the bigger picture, without reminders of what really matters.

Then again, I probably should just learn mesilas yesharim...

[Bibliofuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one day because it is engaging, especially for someone nearing 50 years of age, but the writing is plain at best. I come to this book as an areligious agnostic, one who doesn't believe in a soul or afterlife, so a big part of the motivating force was going to be lost on me, since Rabbi Shafier's message relies on the nature of the soul as comprised of two parts, parts which are often at odds with each other. He explains that you will always feel empty, perhaps nihilistic, if you don't figure out why Hashem put you on this earth. The message hits home for agnostics and atheists as well, as we too seek meaning in life, even if our answers don't point to God. I'm not here to debate theology with anybody. I'm simply saying that this book is meant to help find your purpose so that you can lead a fulfilling life, a life where you perfect (as best you can) yourself. The instruction manual is of course the Torah.

For some, the message will be a timely and life-changing reminder. For me, it reminded me to think deeply, perhaps again, about some important life topics, topics which are applicable to all men, even those of us who are not religious.