New Book Release - "Life Is A Test" by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis

Recently, I was contacted by a publisher to read and review a new 
book by prolific author, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis. This scheduled 
release of this book is November 7, 2006. (Artscroll Publications) 
Below is my book review:

LIFE IS A TEST - How To Meet Life's Challenges Successfully
BY: REBBETZIN ESTHER JUNGREIS

BOOK REVIEW
BY: FERN SIDMAN

Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, move over. Your days are numbered. The 
pharmaceutical industry will lose billions in revenue after readers 
get their hands on this book. Simply put, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis' 
new book, "Life Is a Test - How To Meet Life's Challenges 
Successfully," (Mesorah Publications) is the spiritual equivalent to 
the myriad of anti-depressants on the market. There is no question 
that Rebbetzin Jungreis has her finger on the pulse of the people. I 
would surmise that from her vast experience counseling those facing a 
multitude of challenges that life presents, she decided to write this 
book as an answer to a collective cry for help from a lost 
generation, totally unequipped to understand the true meaning behind 
life's trials and tests.  Fear not reader, for it is Rebbetzin 
Jungreis to the rescue. Your soul is about to get the ultimate work 
out, so get ready to stretch your spiritual muscles and become 
reinvigorated as you read "Life Is A Test". 

This is Rebbetzin Jungreis' fourth book and its magnitude of depth, 
focus and analysis of our personal and communal struggles sets it 
apart from any other treatises on this subject. It is written as a 
trilogy, combining three books in one and takes the reader on a 
trajectory that is permeated with such a genuine sense of warmth and 
love that can only be termed palpable. In a society immersed in 
grotesque materialism, decadence and loss of any real and meaningful 
direction and purpose, we are clueless about what life is really 
about and more importantly, who we really are and what our potential 
could be. Rebbetzin Jungreis is the consummate storyteller and it is 
through this treasure trove of true stories do we begin to understand 
that our identity is not inextricably tied to our careers or 
professions or the external superficialities that our culture imposes 
upon us.

Rebbetzin Jungreis utilizes the timeless wisdom of the Torah to 
illustrate her points and to lead the reader on the road to true self-
discovery. The book begins with the saga of Sam, Phyllis and daughter 
Kelly (names changed to protect anonymity), yet they could be any one 
of us. What follows is the story of the personal transformation of 
these three individuals that is beyond miraculous. By the middle of 
this book, the reader will feel a tangible connection to these 
people. Sam is a man who suffered a tremendous financial loss in 
business and was forced to declare bankruptcy. He and his family are 
secular Jews who turn to the Rebbetzin for guidance at this stressful 
juncture in their lives. Sam's cynicism is all encompassing, as it 
oozes from every pore of his body, while wife Phyllis is concerned 
with social status and personal appearance. Daughter Kelly is a 35-
year-old single career professional that has had her share of painful 
relationships and is dubious about the prospect of ever getting 
married. 

Through a series of counseling sessions with Rebbetzin Jungreis, rife 
with personal stories of her own tests and challenges and those of 
her family, the Rebbetzin explains that each of us is actually 
blessed by G-d with tests to assist us in realizing our full 
potential. Rather than falling prey to depression, despondency and 
hopelessness when we are tested by G-d, we have the G-d given power 
to change our lives for the better. For each of us our potential is 
different, as we are custom made by G-d and no two people are exactly 
alike and we must know that G-d would never test us if we did not 
have the wherewithal to pass. As the Rebbetzin states, "G-d actually 
makes a portrait of what He intends us to become and equips us with 
the necessary tools with which to realize His purpose. All of the 
tests, trials, and tribulations of our lives are orchestrated by the 
One Above so that we may fulfill this goal, and if you wonder whether 
you have what it takes to succeed in this mission, be assured that G-
d never makes mistakes - the very fact that it is He Who created you 
is proof positive that it is within your capability to fulfill this 
charge."  

Sam, Phyllis and Kelly soon learn the sublime truth of this Divine 
message and through their attendance and participation in the Hineni 
Torah classes; all three become closer to G-d.  They learn to 
appreciate and understand the power of prayer, as they embrace the 
Torah and commandments. They begin to experience the kind of 
happiness and joy that no amount of money could buy. They begin to 
understand what life's tests really mean, what message G-d is sending 
them and they begin to deal with problems and pitfalls with great 
equanimity.

The second installment of this book deals with interpersonal 
relationships and the tests that are indigenous to them. Rebbetzin 
Jungreis speaks with the authority of a clinical psychologist and 
marriage counselor as she imbues those she counsels with a solid 
spiritual foundation and practical nuances that will assist them in 
making the right choices. Whether it comes to looking for qualities 
in a prospective life partner, to dealing with a marriage riddled 
with constant strife and infidelity, to attempting to bring a 
potential intermarriage to a screeching halt, or dealing with a 
rebellious, disrespectful and irreverent teenager, Rebbetzin Jungreis 
explores these issues with the kind of depth and aplomb that is 
seldom spoken about by television and radio psychologists and gurus. 

The third and last section of "Life Is A Test" speaks of communal and 
global tests. The Jewish nation stands at a critical and dangerous 
precipice in history. Global anti-Semitism continues to dramatically 
increase, while natural disasters such as tsunamis and Katrinas 
become more prevalent. The events of 9/11 still haunt us as it stands 
as an eerie reminder of the beginning of the age of terrorism. 
Madmen, such as Iranian President Ahmadinejad threaten to vanquish 
the State of Israel and to annihilate the Jewish people, while the 
world remains silent. We are told by Rebbetzin Jungreis that the 
putrid stench of hatred against Jews is reminiscent of Europe in 
1938. Rest assured that these assessments are not being promulgated 
by paranoia, but by someone who lived through that nightmarish period 
and knows from whence she speaks. Rebbetzin Jungreis implores us to 
recognize these "wake up calls", to realize that the times that we 
are living in are indeed the times of "Chevlei Moshiach', the birth 
pangs of the coming of our righteous Messiah. We are being importuned 
by Rebbetzin Jungreis to recognize that these birth pangs can be long 
and excruciatingly painful or they can be short and abbreviated, yet 
it depends on us. 

It is clear for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear, that 
Rebbetzin Jungreis is a true Torah scholar. This book is replete with 
a voluminous amount of passages from the Torah, Talmud and 
Kabbalistic sources and each is given more than ample explanation as 
she delves into complex sources with such ease and finesse. What is 
most remarkable is her knowledge of Gematria - (mathematical 
equivalents for Hebrew letters) and how they apply to our times. 
Please don't skim this book - you'll miss tons of amazing insights, 
and while we're on the subject of amazing and mind blowing insights, 
please take note of the meaning of the number 11 on page 231. You 
will never forget it.

Rebbetzin Jungreis' message is clear, uncompromising and unremitting. 
Only through a sincere return to G-d, only through genuine and 
heartfelt prayer, only through performing acts of kindness, only 
through learning Torah will our lives and values begin to take shape. 
Only then can we begin to experience the kind of contentment, 
serenity and tranquility that our souls long for. Only then can we 
understand what real happiness and joy means, only then can we save 
our nation from the plethora of insidious haters who rise up to 
destroy us and only then will we merit G-d's redemption on a personal 
and collective scale.

"Life Is A Test" is a must read for anyone seeking answers to the 
vicissitudes of life, for anyone who has grappled with issues of self-
discovery, and frankly, for just plain anyone.

This book is a significant historical and religious contribution to 
the corpus of books on Jewish thought and will be a welcome addition 
to any library.

A THUMBS UP !!!   FIVE STARS !! 

 

 





 
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