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Jacob the Baker: Gentle Wisdom For a Complicated World

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This wise little fable tells the story of a baker named Jacob, who scribbled his thoughts no bit of paper as he waited for his bread to rise. One day, a small paper was baked into a loaf and gradually people came by for bread and wisdom, and Jacob's sayings became known. Now they have been gathered into this gentle book for all to share.

113 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1989

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About the author

Noah benShea

29 books15 followers
Noah benShea is one of North America’s most respected and popular poet-philosophers. He is also a scholar, theologian, long range thinker, executive advisor, speaker, and International Best-Selling author who was, by the age of 23, an Assistant Dean of Students at UCLA and, by 30, a consulting fellow to a number of esteemed think tanks including The Center for the Humanities at USC and The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara. An inspirational public speaker for 35 years, he has lectured at literally hundreds of universities, including MIT, Harvard, and Duke/Fuqua School of Business, as well as given countless Keynote Addresses including to the Library of Congress. His work has been incorporated in publications of The Congressional Record, Oxford University and the World Bible Society in Jerusalem.

Noah is the International Best-Selling author of 23 books translated into a eighteen languages. With global sales of over two million copies, his books continue a tradition begun with the Jacob the Baker series which have been embraced around the world as timeless fables in countries as diverse as China, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, Thailand, Israel, and were on the Korean Top 10 Best Sellers for six months where they sold over 500,000 copies. In 2008 Noah benShea’s Jacob the Baker won First Prize at the European Intellectual Book Fair in Moscow.

Noah’s insightful perspective on life, speaks directly with readers around the world each week. Using Internet search engines the name “Noah benShea” appears on over 60,000 websites, including several foreign language websites, quoting from his speeches, books, and essays.

In 1999 Noah was nominated for the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas That Improve the World. For five years, from 1997 – 2002, his weekly essays were enjoyed by several million readers via the New York Times Newspaper Regional Network and were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Sometimes referred to as the “Guru’s Guru” and a “Zen Mark Twain,” “An Evening With Noah benShea” was broadcast over national PBS in 150 cities, and Noah has been widely interviewed on radio, television, and in print across North America. He has also had a daily “thought” featured on a regional ABC affiliate and a weekly radio talk show.

Noah benShea | Speaker Best Selling Author | Meet Noah

Noah’s inspirational thoughts are branded and/or tied with some of North America’s largest companies including Starbucks, American Greetings, Lucky Brand Jeans, C&H Sugar, and Costco. His work dramatically impacting the workplace, and has appeared in hospitals, banks, on apparel, teddy bears, over 70 millions sugar packets and over 30 million Starbucks Coffee Cups. And honoring his father’s heroic struggle, Noah in 2005 accepted the title of National Laureate for the ALS Association.

In addition to his reflective life, Noah was a founding partner and later chairman of a national manufacturing company. He is often called upon both for long range forecasting and as an inspirational speaker, to communities and organizations including GAP Inc., Starbucks, and McCaw Communications, as well as The Department of Defense, The Air Force Academy, National Association of Parks and Recreation, and directed studies for 20 year projections for North America’s 50 most prominent developers and retailers. In 2007 he was a visiting professor of philosophy at University of California, San Francisco Medical School and serves as Ethicist for the The Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. Noah has served on Boards of Directors, and as a national lecturer to The Executive Committee, the Young President’s Organization and continues as an executive advisor to North American business and community leaders. Noah is the National Philosopher for Foundations Recovery Network and Executive Director of The Justice Project.

Noah is the father of a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Adam, both of whom are honor graduates of the

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5 stars
191 (42%)
4 stars
146 (32%)
3 stars
77 (16%)
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30 (6%)
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10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for top..
510 reviews116 followers
March 19, 2020
ชายผู้ถือตะเกียงเดินตามหาแสงสว่าง-

ค่อยๆ ไป ถ้าไม่รีบก็จักได้ครุ่นคิดถึงประโยคของการสนทนาเหล่านั้นไปพร้อมๆ กับเหล่าตัวละคร แต่หากกลับกัน ก็คงไม่ต่างจากเม็ดทรายที่ไหลผ่านมือเหลือไว้เพียงเศษก้อนเล็กๆ เท่านั้น

มีความรู้สึกว่ามันเหมาะกับการนอนกลิ้งๆ กับเพื่อนกับแฟน แล้วอ่านให้กันฟังในวันอากาศโปร่ง สนุกสนานและแสดงความคิดเห็นกัน น่าจะเป็นช่วงเวลาเบาๆ กับหนังสือที่จะหยิบมาอ่านได้เรื่อยๆ

ถ้ามีรีปรินท์ออกมา ทำรูปเล่มสวยๆ จะซื้อให้เพื่อนอ่าน หุหุ
Profile Image for Steven R. McEvoy.
3,783 reviews172 followers
December 10, 2024
I have read this book dozens of times. So glad it is now available electronically and I can always have it with me.

This book, the first in a trilogy, is a great collection of stories, thoughts, penses and ideas. It is a book in the great Jewish wisdom tradition. Jacob is a baker, and each day on his way to the bakery after his prayers he thinks and reflects on God and life. While the ovens are warming up, he jots down his thoughts. One day by accident, one of his scraps of thoughts gets baked into a loaf of bread. The lady who finds it is overwhelmed by its insight and wisdom. She asked the owner of the bakery if Jacob will share more of his ideas by baking one in each of some rolls for a dinner party for her. Reluctantly, Jacob agrees and his peaceful life is shattered.

Soon Jacob has no time for himself. When he goes home people are awaiting him, in the morning they are on the path to work, and every day they are in the bakery, asking him questions, seeking advice and wisdom. They soon desire to make Jacob their Tzadik, their wise man. These stories will warm your heart, and open your eyes to the divine in yourself and in others. It will teach you to live with love and grace and mercy towards others.

(First Printed in part in Imprint 2005-05-20 as 'Books that will change your life.')

Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Noah benShea.
Profile Image for ดินสอ สีไม้.
1,070 reviews179 followers
March 29, 2018
เป็นหนังสือที่อ่านไปด้วยความรู้สึกสบายใจ
ยิ่งอ่านไปเรื่อยๆ ก็ยิ่งรู้สึกเย็นใจ
เหมือนเจค็อบกำลังค่อยๆ อธิบายธรรมชาติในตัวตนของเรา
ผ่านผู้คนมากมายที่ได้พูดคุยกับเขา
Profile Image for CH6.
41 reviews11 followers
April 9, 2025
this book is very easy to read it feels like a collection of warm short stories filled with meaningful reflections on life happiness and hope jacob answers life’s questions in simple words yet they make you think and feel deeply it’s a relaxing read that doesn’t take much effort but offers valuable insights it feels like having a calm and supportive conversation with someone who encourages you :))
Profile Image for Janelle.
15 reviews
July 28, 2008
A great short book that can be read in one setting. A creative, much needed reminders and insights about life. A few that I found thought provoking were:
"Anyone who has struggled with wisdom has felt like a fool."
"An eternity is any moment opened with patience."
"The fears we cannot climb become our walls."
December 10, 2020
ชอบมากๆ เลยค่ะเล่มนี้ เล่มบางๆ ปกน่ารักแต่เนื้อหาลึกซึ้งมากๆเลย สะท้อนปัญญาของชาวยิว การเล่าเรื่องของเจค็อบจะถูกเล่าออกเป็นตอนๆ ตามสถานการณ์ต่างๆ เราจะเห็นถึงผลจากการใช้ปัญญาขบคิดของเจค็อบที่มีต่อเรื่องราวจนจนตกผลึก กลายมาเป็นคำตอบที่ลึกซึ้ง จุดประกายบางอย่างให้กับคนรอบข้างได้เห็นหนทางที่ไม่เคยเห็นมาก่อน

สถานการณ์ต่างๆที่เอามาให้เจค็อบคิดนั้น บางครั้งก็เป็นปัญหาง่ายๆ แต่เจค็อบให้คำตอบที่แตกต่างจากที่คิดแบบเดิมๆได้ หรือบางคำถามที่ยาก เจค็อบก็จะให้คำตอบที่ง่ายในแบบที่เหมือนเส้นผมบังภูเขาเลยทีเดียว

เรียบง่ายและงดงาม คือคำอธิบายหนังสือเล่มนี้ ปัญหาหรือคำถามที่เจค็อบต้องตอบ ไม่ได้ห่างไกลจากตัวเราเลย และโดยเฉพาะไม่ได้ห่างไกลจากตัวของเจค็อบ เพราะการใช้ปัญญาของเจค็อบล้วนเกี่ยวพันกับพระผู้เป็นเจ้าที่เจค็อบศรัทธา

จุดเด่นอีกประการจากเรื่องราวของเจค็อบ เขามักกลับมาอยู่กับตัวเองได้ ณ จุดใดจุดหนึ่งเสมอ ทั้งตอนที่อยู่หน้าเตา ทั้งตอนที่แวดล้อมไปด้วยผู้คนที่เข้ามาถามปัญหา กระทั่งก่อนที่เขาจะนอนหลับไป เขาล้วนอยู่กับตัวเองทั้งสิ้น

สำหรับเล่มนี้ต้องเรียกว่า #ตกหลุมรัก เลย เพราะอ่านง่ายแล้วได้มาซึ่งการชวนคิดแบบไม่ยัดเหยียด #แนะนำอ่านมากๆ เราว่าเหมาะกับทุกคนเลยทีเดียว 😊😊
Profile Image for Ai.
45 reviews2 followers
February 7, 2021
"หนังสือบางเล่ม ควรจัดพิมพ์ตลอดไป ควรให้ทุกๆคนเข้าถึง เสมือนหนึ่งพระคัมภีร์ เหมือนไบเบิล ทรงคุณค่ามากเหลือเกิน ถ้าวันหนึ่งมีโอกาส อยากจัดพิมพ์หนังสือเล่มนี้อีกครั้ง เพื่อส่งต่อ คบไฟแห่งแสงสว่างต่อชนรุ่นหลัง"

"มีบ่อยครั้ง ที่ปาฏิหารย์ก็คือความเต็มใจ ที่จะมองเห็นอะไร ที่แสนจะธรรมดาสามัญ ในวิถีทางที่ไม่ธรรมดา"

"ถ้าอยากมีอะไรมากขึ้น ก็ต้องเต็มใจที่จะมีอะไรน้อยลง"

"การปฏิเสธความคิดใด ก็คือการหมกหมุ่นอยู่ในความคิดนั้น"

"อย่างช้าๆ เด็กคนนี้ ก็ค่อยๆเรียนรู้ โดยการเก็บสะสมก้อนหิน แห่งความรู้ เอามันมาเรียงที่ละก้อน เมื่อเวลาผ่านไป การเรียนรู้ของเขา ก็กลายเป็นกำแพง มันทำให้ชายผู้นี้ ผู้ซึ่งครั้งหนึ่งเป็นเด็กชายผู้นั้น ทั้งภูมิใจและโศกเศร้า"

"ในเมื่อท่านมัวแต่มองหาที่อื่นตลอดเวลา แล้วทำไมจะไม่ใช่ท่านล่ะ ที่ไม่เคยมีความสุขเลย"

"ท่านให้ข้าในสิ่งที่ท่านมี ถ้าข้าคาดหวังมากไปในสิ่งที่ได้รับสิ ข้าก็จะเต็มไปด้วยความหวัง ไม่ใช่ด้วยสิ่งที่ท่านหยิบยื่นให้"

เราแต่ละคนล้วนแต่โดดเดี่ยว แต่ละคนก็ตกอยู่ในอวิชชา และแต่ละคนก็กำลังเดินทาง สุดท้ายชีวิตคงถึงไว้แต่กองขี้เถ้า
"แต่มันก็มี เรื่องราว บางอย่าง อยู่ในนั่นด้วย"
เรื่องราวของเรา คงเป็นส่วนหนึ่งที่ส่งต่อให้ใครอีกคน ยังคงมีชีวิตอยู่ต่อไปได้ และ "นั่น" ก็เพียงพอแล้ว

ข้าเชื่อว่า พระเจ้าเชื่อมั่นในเรา ⚓️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for N..
868 reviews28 followers
June 7, 2020
When I opened this book and started reading, I thought it was going to be an annoying story full of platitudes (which, sometimes, passes for "wisdom" — not a fan of a lot of similar books) but I ended up liking it. When Jacob isn't baking, he's writing notes about the things that pop into his head, little bits of wisdom that he keeps to himself. Then, one day he accidentally bakes one of his notes into a loaf of bread and the woman who ends up with it wants bread with more of his thoughts to share with her friends. Soon, Jacob is being asked all sorts of questions about life. He doesn't always know the answers but he tells people what he thinks. And, yes, his thoughts are pithy and some don't work for me at all, but I think it was the character that made the book. I liked Jacob. He's humble and not afraid to say, "I don't know," if he doesn't have the answer. A quick, pleasant read.
407 reviews2 followers
August 27, 2021
When I started reading Jacob the Baker, I thought that maybe the movie Dough was inspired by this book. But there is so much more than putting notes into bread in this brief book. Each page gives food for thought, and so much bread to chew on and swallow. (Excuse the pun). I could see each chapter being a writing or talking prompt for people to write and inspire people to think further about what is being stated in the book. A book that can be read over and over… I think I read it about a decade Avon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Hope Irvin Marston.
Author 36 books14 followers
July 5, 2020
I found this little gem on my bookshelf and sat right down to enjoy it. It's a quick read that begs to be shared with whoever is nearby when you are reading it. The perceptive ideas are presented through intriguing anecdotes that pique the readers' attention. It would be most appreciated with those who consider themselves "old."

Hope Irvin Marston, co-author of RISING FROM THE RUBBLE: THE RESTORATION OF BOLDT CASTLE.
2 reviews
May 2, 2022
A Treasure, re-read throughout my years.

This book was received as a gift, years ago, from a dear friend who was a beloved kindergarten teacher (when I first met her). I loved it as a young mom, and throughout the years, it has brought light and comfort to my life’s journey. Noah benShea’s literary gifts continue to give. How wonderful! I noticed there’s a sequel and it’s on my reading list!
Profile Image for Sky.
42 reviews29 followers
June 25, 2023
This was a very quick and easy read. It was well written and included some beautiful ideas - many of which are classic Jewish teachings. There were a couple of moments, however, where I was confused by certain "insights" or stories. Almost as if the writer were so focused on sounding "deep and philosophical" that he got in his own way and forgot that for wisdom to be valuable it must be accessible.
Profile Image for Rene Mucci.
Author 1 book2 followers
May 24, 2023
just for me

I read the words written by benShea as if they were written just for me. That’s a gift. To reach as many individuals as he does with his story line and his wisdom, and letting it touch each person as if it’s personal to them. A wonderful read to be re-read often. Thank you.
Profile Image for Emily.
158 reviews6 followers
July 23, 2017
A series of short parables, Jacob imparts his simple wisdom and humility to you while counseling others in the book. Reminded me somewhat of Kalil Gibran's writing. A quick read with a lasting impression.
Profile Image for Cat Rayne .
601 reviews4 followers
October 17, 2018
An annual reread of a tiny gem.

Brief expressions of a glimpse of humanity. With very few words on a single page the author, benShea, can provide conviction for days. Would not everyone be kinder to his fellow humans after consideration of Jacob the Baker...
Profile Image for Vinoth Kumar Kannan.
66 reviews6 followers
January 31, 2019
Pointless! Those ultra-short stories aren't something which you can relate to. Some stories lead nowhere. Except for a couple witty ones, all others are total bullshit.
I really don't know how I fell for this one. Unworthy!
313 reviews
August 26, 2022
There were some great thoughts but the format of this was tough for me because it wasn't a story and you don't have characters, they are just names to puppeteer the wise proverbs. It want something you could read continuously. It would've been better suited as a daily calendar or something.
Profile Image for Kanyada Kongtrakool.
180 reviews6 followers
June 14, 2025
ใครชอบปรัชญา และการได้อ่านแล้วคิดตามอย่างลึกซึ้งในความหมายของแต่ละประโยคที่สวยงาม น่าจะชอบเลย
แต่แค่ อะไรแบบนี้ไม่ค่อยถูกกับเราเลย เพราะเป็นคนไม่ชอบการตีความ ไม่ชอบปรัชญา ถึงเล่มนี้จะได้คะแนนสูงมากแต่ส่วนตัวขอผ่าน ให้ 2.5 ปัดเป็น 3
Profile Image for Shefali.
18 reviews26 followers
November 21, 2017
I loved the book and my favourite quotes from it are:

"It is the silence between the notes that makes the music", "Fear is pain before wound", and
"The fears we cannot climb become our walls".
Profile Image for Byron.
149 reviews
December 28, 2017
I regret not reading this book years ago, when I first picked it up. It left me with a feeling of peace.
Profile Image for Feliz Piez.
Author 20 books3 followers
February 10, 2019
Great surprise from a friend. Simple truths presented in well written simple story.
Profile Image for Sarah Lombard.
123 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2020
Very sweet book. I was touched by the humbleness and wisdom of the book even though I didn’t get all the parables. It left me with a warm comforting feeling
Profile Image for Amber Orvin.
150 reviews
July 12, 2020
Okay this was a really good book to read and I highly recommend everyone to read it a must read if you haven’t yet. I’m not going to give anything away, because the Title says it all❗️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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