God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction

I'm a physician who specializes in addiction medicine, Jewish, very familiar with the Twelve Steps and with recovery issues. I was very impressed with this book! The author really understands addiction and recovery, and clearly and empathetically explains concepts used in 12-Step programs such as will, power, acceptance, fellowship, etc. This is a great guide to recovery for Jewish addicts and codependents, but is also of value to those of any faith.

My daughter is currently in a MT jail after relapsing (again) and has been waiting for an opening in an in-patient program for almost a year. Times are difficult for her since she is the only Jewish inmate and anti-semitism is alive and well among inmates and staff alike. Since I sent her this book and she has not been able to put it down. Her words are "That's what I have been trying to tell people and no one would listen". Whenever she gets frustrated she picks up this book and starts reading. I am very hopeful that this will be the turning point in her life.

It doesn't matter if you are Jewish or not. Read this book and it will change your life. This is the best description of the nature of addiction that I have ever read. Everyone should read it to increase your understanding of yourself and others.

I bought this book after reading an article about Rabbi Taub and his insightful views on what it is to be in recovery from addiction. My mother sent me the article because we have a family member who is in recovery, as well as another who actually works as a Drug/Alcohol counselor here in NY. We often share items so that other members of my family can fully appreciate, and learn about, the struggles of addiction as well as the need to do self examination and strengthen one's own self in life. The disease is pervasive and spreads itself to areas of relationships that no one would think it would. Anyway, after reading the article, I was intrigued enough to look the book up on Amazon and read other people's reviews. I decided it was worth purchasing, and did so.I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Rabbi Taub is concise and endowed with a natural talent for writing and expression. A talent he uses to offer ways of understanding one's "higher power" with out the entangling baggage of formal religion or theistic beliefs. Personally, I like the connections he makes to various parts of the Torah and how one really needs to look at what is being said, not as literal truth, but as metaphor to stimulate thought and wisdom in one's search for a fulfilling life. I wish I had him as a teacher when I was in Hebrew school all those years ago, maybe my path would have been shorter.Again, I highly recommend this book, 5 stars. You cannot go wrong in reading this book and I plan to read it again. Until then, I have given it to members of my family to read so that they may also enjoy, and learn, from a Rabbi who knows what he is saying,and says it well.

Rabbi Taub has a very solid understanding of the spiritual underpinnings of addiction, and has a readable and compassionate way of conveying it. Although it is written from a Jewish point of view, anyone who wants to connect with their higher Power will find it mind-opening and useful.

i have been trying to quit smoking cigarettes for a couple months...no luck. I decided to check out Rabbi Taub's book because i've watched some of his videos online and was very impressed with his wisdom, understanding, talent and compassion. The book definitely helped me and i would recommend it to anyone addicted to anything!

One of the greatest thing that ever created, Rabbi Taub and this book is just a masterpiece a must read for anyone really searching to address and overcome perhaps addiction.

I was surprised to read a Rabbi writing about addiction. Most I've ever approached about the manner told me they had no training and could not advise.This Rabbi, explains exactly the physical, mental and spiritual state of the addict. He expresses that the real issue is that addicts long for real intimacy with their Creator, so by using drugs or alcohol, they become more miserable.It breaks down the 12 Steps into easy to understand, straight-up, Spiritual practices that lead anyone involved into a pattern of life conducive to helping others, finding peace and understanding GOD.I recommend this book to everyone. To the suffering addict and to those that love him or her. I recommend this to the people that think addiction is a moral, mental or spiritual issue. I recommend this book to anyone who looks down on addicts.A must have for any clergy, parent, brother, loved one...ect.

I've read other Jewish books on the subject of addiction, all of them good to very good, but this one so far tops them all.Fot the first time ever, I read actually a clear and detailed explanation, on what an addict really is, but everything else is excellent, too.I would recommend it strongly to everyone, but especially anyone Jewish!

I had the privilege to hear Rabbi Taub speak a few weeks ago, here in UK. This book is really excellent, and has one of the best explanations of The Fall in Genesis that I have ever heard; I am Christian, not Jewish, and the book makes a lot of Christian sense as well as, according to my Jewish friends, Jewish sense.

When the amazing clarity that Rabbi Shais Taub has in all matters of spirituality is merged with the complex world of addiction, you know you're in for a ride.Thank You, Rabbi Taub, for your illuminating insights, here & in the Ami Magazine.

Excellent book

Excellent