Life is a Test
By Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis
Read by Mare Winningham Hachette Audio, (2008)
An Unabridged Recording on 8 CDs
ISBN 10: 1-60024-456-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-60024-456-8
Genre: Inspirational - Jewish
Reviewed by Anna Dogole - October 2, 2008
Life is a test, but what kind of test, and how do you know if you have passed or failed it? In the book, Life is Test, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis examines why life is a test - and what you can do to pass it! Rebbetzin (a Rebbetzin is the wife of a Rabbi) Jungreis has been a life-long and passionate member of the kiruv movement (an outreach movement to help guide non-orthodox Jews to a more Torah-observant lifestyle).
Rebbetzin Jungreis' faith is palpable. She is a tireless spokeswoman for Judaism, the world over, and she has lectured, written, and taught extensively about Judaism. She has a knack for connecting with the unconnected, and helping Jews from all walks of life discover the divine spark within themselves. In Life is Test, Rebbetzin Jungreis tackles the difficult problem of dealing with life's challenges - both those that can be anticipated, and those that come unexpectedly. As a survivor of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Rebbetzin Jungreis has faced more than her share of challenges - and she has come through them all with her faith intact.
Through personal examples, case studied, and the timeless wisdom of the Torah, Rebbetzin Jungreis helps readers to deal with the challenges in their life, and how they can achieve personal growth as they strive to overcome the challenges and road blocks that they face in their lives. Within the pages of this book, Rebbetzin Jungreis tackles such issues as discovering who you really are, interpersonal relationship, and finding the divine within. As such, this is really three books in one:
Book One: Tests of Learning Who You Really Are
Book Two: Tests of Relationships
Book Three: When Tests Are Wake-Up Calls
This unabridged audio edition of Life is Test is read by Mare Winningham. A talented actress who has appeared on both the small and big screens, as well as on stage, Winningham's reading of this book is poignant and a pleasure to listen to. The book's introduction and conclusion is read by the Rebbetzin, and her undeniable passion for life and Judaism is evident even in these short recitations. Rebbetzin Jungreis was born in Poland, and her English is heavily accented, but is very understandable.
Full of wit, wisdom, and keen insights, Life is Test will provide both Jewish and non-Jewish listeners with answers to questions they
have been struggling with for years, as well as few you might never even have pondered. Most important, the answers that Rebbetzin Jungreis offers will help to make a personal connection with HaShem (G-d), it will help to strengthen (or discover) your faith, and it will increase your appreciation for the wondrous world that HaShem has given us. In short, Life is a Test is an inspirational and soul-stirring book that teaches you that the tests you face in life are really conductors designed to help you to reach your full potential, and rather than facing life's challenges with despair and anguish, you must treat them as learning opportunities.
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