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Ecclesiastes: Annotated & Explained
Twenty-three hundred years ago an unnamed Hebrew sage known only as Koheleth, the Teacher, rocked the
ancient Jewish world with a critique of society that
shattered conventional notions of God, piety, politics
and power.
Beginning with its opening broadside, "Hevel
havalim "not futility or vanity as most translations
would have it, but "breath, vapor and impermanence,"
Ecclesiastes teaches you how to live in a world where
nothing lasts and justice is illusory; a world devoted to
accumulating power, wealth, pleasure and even knowledge
that leaves you drowning in anxiety and needless
suffering.
Neither revelation nor prophecy, Ecclesiastes is a
rational and countercultural guide to living with joy in
the midst of uncertainty and insecurity. Ecclesiastes'
God demands neither sacrifice nor adherence to commandments,
but offers instead a practical lifestyle
rooted in moderation, meaningful work, and friendship.
Rami Shapiro's translation of and commentary on
Ecclesiastes restores this ancient text to its timeless place
as a guide to living sanely in an often insane world.
ancient Jewish world with a critique of society that
shattered conventional notions of God, piety, politics
and power.
Beginning with its opening broadside, "Hevel
havalim "not futility or vanity as most translations
would have it, but "breath, vapor and impermanence,"
Ecclesiastes teaches you how to live in a world where
nothing lasts and justice is illusory; a world devoted to
accumulating power, wealth, pleasure and even knowledge
that leaves you drowning in anxiety and needless
suffering.
Neither revelation nor prophecy, Ecclesiastes is a
rational and countercultural guide to living with joy in
the midst of uncertainty and insecurity. Ecclesiastes'
God demands neither sacrifice nor adherence to commandments,
but offers instead a practical lifestyle
rooted in moderation, meaningful work, and friendship.
Rami Shapiro's translation of and commentary on
Ecclesiastes restores this ancient text to its timeless place
as a guide to living sanely in an often insane world.
- GenresSpirituality
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2010
3 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Rami M. Shapiro
70 books71 followersRami Shapiro is one of the most innovative rabbis of the last thirty years. An award-winning author of two dozen books on religion and spirituality, he received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a PhD from Union Graduate School. A congregational rabbi for twenty years, for the last fifteen he has been writing, leading retreats, co-directing One River Wisdom School, blogging at rabbirami.com, and writing a regular column for Spirituality and Health magazine called "Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler."
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 3, 2020
One of the best books Ive read. The omnistic notes are fantastic. Highly recommended.
October 30, 2020
Rabbi Rami explains things so well.
Currently reading
January 4, 2011Amazing interpretations of Scripture in this book. Rami Shapiro brings out the mystical quality of this book.
February 3, 2017
great book. brand new insight. only didn't get 5 because it gets a bit repetitive
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews