A Jewish guidebook for life’s big questions

Beyond the Instant by Rabbi Mark Wildes; Skyhorse Publishing © 2018; 141 pages.

By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO – I read this book with great enthusiasm, possibly because I agreed with almost everything Rabbi Mark Wildes writes about such subjects as happiness, love, sex, success, blaming, taking charge of one’s life, understanding one’s place in the world, ethics, appreciating every day, our free will, and not demanding perfection.  I agree with what he says, but don’t put all his advice into practice, because I am a flawed human being just like the rest of us.

Wildes, director of the Manhattan Jewish Experience, draws from the Bible and the Talmud for inspiration, and in addition directs us to pithy quotes from pop culture, including lyrics from his and my favorite band, the Beatles, in helping us to navigate many of our human preoccupations.

While he affirmed rather than challenged many of my conclusions about life—and how we should conduct ourselves while we experience life—Rabbi Wildes also provided intellectual corroboration for what, for many of us, is simply instinct, perhaps imbibed with our mother’s milk.

I was particularly appreciative of the rabbi’s essay on ethics vs. etiquette, that is doing what is right rather than what is popular.  Of course, such an admonition can be applied in the political realm—whether international, national, regional or local—but it also applies in purely personal social relationships.

Wildes would not be an Orthodox rabbi if he didn’t also try to persuade readers to participate in such mitzvot as honoring the Shabbat, observing family purity laws, and saying blessings before and after our various actions.  He does this not in a preachy way—he does not cast guilt—but instead elucidates on the beneficial effects of following these various commandments and practices.

What is Judaism about?  This really is a very fine contemporary handbook.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World.  He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworlld.com