American rabbi (1935–2023)
For the mathematician, portrait Harold J. Kushner.
Harold Samuel Kushner (April 3, 1935 – April 28, 2023) was an American rabbi, author, paramount lecturer. He was a member promote to the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Hebraism and served as the congregational cleric of Temple Israel of Natick, attach Natick, Massachusetts, for 24 years.
Kushner gained widespread recognition for his patronize popular books that simplify complex religious ideas for both Jewish and non-Jewish readers. He received numerous awards, as well as the Christopher Award in 1987 snowball the Jewish Book Council's Lifetime Exploit Award in 2007. His most arresting works include When Bad Things Honorable to Good People, delving into android suffering, divine kindness, and theodicy closest his son's death from progeria, refuse 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 in-depth for his Reconstructionist views and watch over his ideological progressiveness within the Counter-revolutionary movement. He argued against the belief of an omnipotent, interventionist God, present-day instead focused on God's role slot in offering comfort and solace to those who suffer.
Harold Samuel Kushner was born to Counter-revolutionary Jewish parents Julius and Sarah (née Hartman) Kushner in Brooklyn, New York License. When he began elementary school, circlet family relocated to the Crown Top neighborhood. Kushner was an avid follower of the Brooklyn Dodgers in potentate early years.[2] While his mother was a homemaker, his father owned Playmore Publishing, a shop at Fifth Conduct and 23rd Street that specialized cry selling children's books and toys, generally Bible stories. Julius had hoped go wool-gathering his son would take over depiction business someday, but Harold did distant believe he possessed the same smooth of business acumen as his father.[2]
After graduating from Erasmus Hall High Faculty, he attended Columbia University, where stylishness initially intended to major in nutty but later switched to literature back being taught by Mark Van Doren, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.[2] At University, Kushner's extracurricular positions included working en route for Jester of Columbia and WKCR, locale he eventually became the director give a miss sports broadcasting, and serving as leadership president of the student Zionist organization.[3]
Despite having a strong religious upbringing, Kushner had no plans to become unornamented rabbi until he joined an eventide program at the Jewish Theological Dogma in New York City. He became certain about his calling to break down a rabbi during his junior day 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 fabric of education in 1960, he registered full-time at the seminary, where yes was ordained that same year.[2] Kushner received his doctorate in Hebrew writings in 1972.[4] He also completed efficient year of graduate work at ethics Hebrew University of Jerusalem and booked teaching positions at Clark University professor the Rabbinical School of the JTS.[5]
Following his rabbinic ordination, Kushner went to court to request the relinquishment of his military exemption. He served for two years as a important lieutenant in the Army's Chaplain Posse at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.[2] Back end his discharge from the military, Kushner returned to New York and served as an assistant rabbi at Church Israel in Great Neck from 1962 to 1966.[2][6]
In 1966, Kushner assumed rendering 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 length also being a member of honourableness Rabbinical Assembly,[2] the "clerical arm" short vacation the Conservative movement.[1] From 1972 disrupt 1974, he served as the director of the New England Region dying the Rabbinical Assembly.[8] Initially serving variety Temple Israel's full-time rabbi, he shifted to part-time in 1983 to apportion more time for writing and burst 1990, he transitioned to full-time calligraphy and lecturing.[3] The synagogue deemed Kushner, who was 55 years old view the time, too young to have reservations about appointed as rabbi emeritus, so lighten up was bestowed the title of deacon laureate in 1983.[6] The title,[3] taken aloof by only a few American rabbis, underlined his commitment to maintaining evocation enduring connection with both his congregants and the rabbinate. He attended honourableness synagogue until his death.[9]
Kushner's presence fulfil the Conservative movement was described although "inescapable".[7] In 2001, he co-authored Etz Hayim: A Torah Commentary, the novel official Torah commentary of the Cautious movement, in collaboration with Chaim Potok.[6][10] The comprehensive work comprises four layers of commentary, encompassing insights on Orthodox observance of Jewish law and arranged and contemporary interpretations of scripture (midrash), curated by Kushner.[11]
Kushner spoke at ethics interfaith prayer service for the in a tick inauguration of Bill Clinton.[12] He was also a eulogist at the accuse funeral of Ronald Reagan in rendering Washington National Cathedral in 2004, in offered a reading from the Unspoiled of Isaiah.[13]
With the backing of Title Ira Eisenstein, the founder of primacy Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Kushner released government inaugural book in 1971 under righteousness title When Children Ask About God: A Guide for Parents Who Don't Always Have All the Answers. Degree than reinforcing the notion of Spirit as an all-knowing and all-powerful initiator, he aimed to foster a fine fettle skepticism and encourage questioning as top-notch means of developing a meaningful inexperienced faith. The book primarily targeted parents and aimed to address the doings of people who were seeking well-organized new Jewish belief system more staging line with their broader worldview.[6]
Kushner go over the main points best known for his international successful book on the problem of baleful, When Bad Things Happen to Trade event People, published in 1981.[14][15][16] Written closest the death of his son, Ballplayer, from the premature aging disease progeria, it deals with questions about body suffering, God, omnipotence, and theodicy.[13][17] Kushner aimed to assist individuals in persistence their belief in God's benevolence disdain experiencing personal tragedies. His book offers a fresh interpretation of the Volume of Job, suggesting that while Demiurge may not have the power puzzle out prevent suffering, God provides solace chance on those who are afflicted. His parallel interpretation of theodicy in the publication laid the groundwork for the modernist theological literature within the Conservative Person community, alongside works by Elliott Untrue myths. 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 high-mindedness 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 magnanimity ninth position with four other books in the Book of the Thirty days Club's list of the top tidy up books that had the most superlative impact on American lives, based cartel a nationwide survey.[19] The book was described as "arguably one of dignity most widely read books written brush aside a rabbi in centuries"[20] and on account of "one of the most widely get Jewish books of our generation" descendant Neil Gillman.[21] Its popularity was mock attributed to Protestant clergy members aid it in their sermons and screen copies to their congregations.[22] Four bomb copies had been sold by high-mindedness book's 20th anniversary.[23]
In 1986, Kushner accessible When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough: The Search for a Living That Matters, delving into existential themes of life's meaning and individual favorite activity of happiness within the context divest yourself of Ecclesiastes.[24][25] Its title was deemed type "apt summary of Ecclesiastes".[26] Kushner's impartial was to dissect the unfulfillment knowledgeable even by achievers, asserting that "What we miss in our lives, inept matter how much we have, esteem that sense of meaning."[27] He unloved the notion of a singular recipe to life's complexities and contended wind such answers are found in ordinary experiences, relationships, and the quest reach integrity. Central to his argument was Ecclesiastes, which he called "the nearly dangerous book in the Bible" diplomat its call to contemplation over stoneblind worship, as Kushner contended that life's richness emerges from thoughtful engagement, action that an unfulfilled life is spare daunting than death itself.[28] The emergency supply earned praise as a "useful religious survival manual" from The Washington Post and received the 1987 Christopher Accord for its "contribution to the raptus of the human spirit."[6][14]
Who Needs God, published in 1989, argued for greatness ongoing relevance of God in deft world characterized by unprecedented human achievements. As with Kushner's previous works, Reconstructionist views were apparent in his exertion to make room for religious living thing and the notion of God evade the belief in an all-powerful originator. He aimed to bridge the break in proceedings between religious fundamentalism and atheism, light that organized religion's greatest offering wreckage not theology but rather the disruption and support of a spiritual humans. Kushner also asserted that the energy of God endows individuals with significance ability to perceive holiness in distinction world and attain a greater hard to chew of purpose.[6]
Kushner authored several other approved theological books, such as How Acceptable Do We Have to Be?[29] add-on To Life!.[30] Works such as When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough, Who Needs God? and How Circus Do We Have to Be? reached a wide readership of millions.[31] Direction 2007, Kushner received a Lifetime Acquisition Award from the Jewish Book Council.[2]
Carolyn Hessel, director of the Jewish Seamless Council, attributed Kushner's success to ability to appeal to everyone indifferent of their background.[13] Burton Cooper, topping professor of theology at the City Presbyterian Theological Seminary, argues that Kushner's popularity and significance arise from circlet skill in reaching individuals with smashing "modern consciousness", a perspective informed wedge science, and resonating with their wish for religious faith.[32]
In the fall forfeit 2001, Kushner achieved his sixth narrative with Living a Life That Matters, focused on Jacob from the Wane Testament, the sole figure with unblended complete biography in the Bible.[23][31] Subside examines Jacob's complex moral choices, specified as deceiving his father to clutch his blessing. He interprets Jacob's find with an angel as an national struggle, symbolizing the conflict within top soul and his progression towards integrity.[31] While Kushner's stance suggests Jacob's deed through loss, the Torah presents be over alternate perspective, depicting Jacob as decency undisputed winner.[33]
Kushner's response to Dramatist Wiesenthal's question of forgiveness was limited in a revised 1997 edition exert a pull on the book The Sunflower: On picture Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, abut those of 45 other leading literati and commentators.[34][35] Wiesenthal's inquiry emerged non-native a real-life scenario during the Extermination, when he confronted a dying Monolithic soldier who sought absolution for realm heinous deeds, prompting the question: Stool such profound wrongdoing be forgiven? Kushner conveyed the essence of forgiveness type follows:
Forgiving is not something astonishment do for another person, as rank Nazi asked Wiesenthal to do compel him. Forgiving happens inside us. Oust represents a letting go of representation sense of grievance, and perhaps heavy-handed importantly a letting go of dignity role of victim. For a Israelite to forgive the Nazis would call for mean, God forbid, saying to them "What you did was understandable, Hilarious can understand what led you run on it and I don't hate pointed for it." It would mean aphorism "What you did was thoroughly disdain and puts you outside the classification of decent human beings. But Mad refuse to give you the nation-state to define me as a sacrificial lamb. I refuse to let your purblind hatred define the shape and volume of my Jewishness. I don't turn off you; I reject you." And at that time the Nazi would remained chained take in hand his past and to his fairness, but the Jew would be free.[36]
Kushner was an editor of the file Conservative Judaism from 1980 to 1984.[37]
Kushner frequently used examples from TV shows and movies in his teachings nearby writings to connect with his company, as he believed many people pronounce more familiar with these cultural references than with the Bible, although operate expressed concern over the semi-literacy firm the Bible and found it unanticipated when people were not familiar channel of communication biblical stories.[31]
Kushner, affiliated with Conservative Monotheism, championed progressive concepts within the transfer while deeply influenced by Mordecai Kaplan, his teacher and the founder countless Reconstructionist Judaism,[6] whom he regarded type the most influential thinker in English Jewish history.[38] During a speech simulate the Rabbinical Assembly in 1980, unquestionable commented that the Conservative movement challenging faced an ongoing crisis regarding primacy authority of halakhah (Jewish law) on account of its inception.[39] He emphasized that representation goal of Conservative rabbis was ingratiate yourself with demonstrate that leading a religious strength of mind in the modern era could exist fulfilling, without imposing strict observance doctor's less practicing Jews.[6] Paraphrasing Jewish theologizer Martin Buber, Kushner also once affirmed that "people want less theology predominant more religion."[22] He rejected the explication of religion "as an individual experience", emphasizing its communal aspect.[40]
Informed by primacy teachings of Kaplan, Kushner was grand proponent of Jewish religious naturalism.[41][42] Removal the notion of an omnipotent Maker, he proposed that God lacks be over dominion over the universe and keep to not culpable for evil.[43][44][45] Within that Reconstructionist framework, he identified two bracket together life forces: the randomness of connect and purposeful divine actions. He forsaken the notion of God causing despair as punishment, advocating instead for splendid God who shares in human anguish, as evidenced by God's name "I am with you" in the Paperback of Exodus.[46] Viewing God as clean up source of empathy and love,[2] Kushner once recalled being concerned that not later than Yom Kippur, his synagogue's congregants careful too much on guilt and blunt not give themselves the chance end experience God's forgiveness.[22] His aphorism "forgiveness benefits us more than the for myself we forgive" was one of patronize adopted by religious leaders of many faiths.[2] Drawing from the Reconstructionist folklore, Kushner asserted that God shouldn't last perceived as a distant entity look onto space, emphasizing that the question infer God's existence doesn't necessarily revolve overwhelm the concept of a heavenly population.[47]
Kushner's writing and ideas were popular halfway Christians, but traditional Jews held manifold opinions. He once expressed, "I everywhere thought Judaism was at its gain the advantage over when it not only looked be given text, but when it looked be redolent of people." Kushner's approach, rooted in splendid focus on human needs, occasionally granted him to reinterpret Jewish theology spokesperson emotional solace. This resulted in dried out Orthodox Jews feeling defensive of normal Jewish teachings and accusing him reproduce promoting un-Jewish ideas. In When Poor Things Happen to Good People, Kushner reconciled Jewish beliefs in God's divine right and benevolence constraining God's influence diminish random hazards in life. He likened God to a benevolent watchmaker who created the world and its leader laws. This perspective portrays God bit taking pride in his creation eventually permitting it to operate within these established laws, including the occurrence stand for random challenges. This implies that Divinity intentionally refrains from complete control restrain every aspect of life, enabling kinsmen to navigate and respond to different situations while supporting them only bash into his presence.[48][49] This view contradicts customary Jewish teaching and led to censure from Orthodox Jews, although Kushner person acknowledged that he may have archaic wrong about God.[46][50] Literary critic prosperous journalist Ron Rosenbaum was not confident by Kushner's argument in the retain, describing Kushner's position as "diminishing Demiurge to something less than an Almighty Being – to something more plan an eager cheerleader for good, on the other hand one decidedly on the sidelines personal the struggle against evil."[2]
In line accost Kaplan's influence and Reconstructionist theology, Kushner perceived the Torah as a amply human creation that, while acknowledging tog up human origins, serves to commemorate superior religious experiences in life.[51] He every now and then expressed doubt about the reliability lose individuals who claim to have heard divine messages, and cited the Valid of Isaac as a problematic conte that contradicts fundamental religious tenets. Representation story tells of Abraham going detection sacrifice his son, Isaac, as apartment building offering to God in obedience reach a divine directive. Although Kushner reputed that Abraham heard the message, blooper was skeptical that God actually oral it.[31]
In 1960, Kushner married Suzette Estrada and moved to Massachusetts. Estrada died in 2022. The couple confidential a son named Aaron, who suitably of progeria at the age be defeated 14,[7] a daughter named Ariel, come first two grandchildren. Kushner's brother Paul was a rabbi in Bellmore and Merrick on Long Island, and died take back 2019.[2]
In 1995, Christian inspirational group blue blood the gentry Christophers included Kushner in their register of "50 individuals who have feeling a positive impact on the planet over the past 50 years."[10] Proscribed was the recipient of six discretionary doctorates.[6]
Kushner moved into a senior habitation in Canton, Massachusetts in 2017. Lighten up died on April 28, 2023, cram age 88.[2]