Finding Recovery and Yourself in Torah: A Daily Spiritual Path to Wholeness

by Rabbi Mark Borovitz, Kerry M. Olitzky (Foreword by), Harriet Rossetto (Afterword)

Overview

Torah can help you recover your soul—if you are willing to ask yourself the right questions.

"If the Torah is the all-encompassing moral compass that it claims to be, and I believe it to be so, then we can find anything in it, including the support needed for recovery…. In it are the remedies for all spiritual maladies—we just have to probe the text, dig deeply in it and drink of its life-giving waters."
—from the Foreword

In this soul-restoring resource, Rabbi Mark Borovitz combines his knowledge of Judaism and his experience as a leader in the field of recovery to help you find in the Five Books of Moses the deeper meaning, wisdom and guidance for living well in the moment.

For each Torah portion, he provides seven days of teachings and reflection questions to help you reconnect with your sacred self, discover solutions to life's challenges and to help you heal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580238571
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	03/21/2016
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	4.50(w) x 6.40(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Rabbi Mark Borovitz has dedicated his life to helping recovering addicts find their way in the world. He is the senior rabbi and CEO of Beit T'Shuvah, the premier Jewish faith-based non-sectarian integrative residential recovery center in Los Angeles. A notable speaker at many seminars on spirituality and recovery, including CASA at Columbia Universityand Spirituality Day at Northwestern University, he has been featured in articles in the Los Angeles Times, Moment Magazine, the Jewish Journal, the Wall Street Journal and Israel’s Haaretz. He was also invited by President George W. Bush to participate in a presidential roundtable on faith and recovery.

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky, named one of the fifty leading rabbis in North America by Newsweek, is well known for his inspiring books that bring the Jewish wisdom tradition into everyday life. He is executive director of Big Tent Judaism, formerly Jewish Outreach Institute, and is author of many books on Jewish spirituality, healing and Jewish religious practice, including Making a Successful Jewish Interfaith Marriage: The Big Tent Judaism Guide to Opportunities, Challenges and Resources; Introducing My Faith and My Community: The Jewish Outreach Institute Guide for a Christian in a Jewish Interfaith Relationship; Jewish Paths toward Healing and Wholeness: A Personal Guide to Dealing with Suffering; Grief in Our Seasons: A Mourner's Kaddish Companion; Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery: A Personal Guide to Turning from Alcoholism & Other Addictions—Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex...; Facing Cancer as a Family; Life's Daily Blessings: Inspiring Reflections on Gratitude for Every Day, Based on Jewish Wisdom; 100 Blessings Every Day: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Affirmations, Exercises for Personal Growth and Renewal Reflecting Seasons of the Jewish Year and Recovery from Codependance: A Jewish Twelve Step Guide to Healing Your Soul. He is also coauthor of Grandparenting Interfaith Grandchildren; Jewish Holidays: A Brief Introduction for Christians; Jewish Ritual: A Brief Introduction for Christians; Renewed Each Day, Vol. One—Genesis and Exodus: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Meditations; Renewed Each Day, Vol. Two—Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Meditations Based on the Bible and coeditor of The Rituals and Practices of a Jewish Life: A Handbook for Personal Spiritual Renewal (all Jewish Lights).

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky is available to speak on the following topics:

• The Jewish Twelve Step Path to Healing and Recovery
• Sparks Beneath the Surface: A Spiritual Read on the Torah
• Welcoming the Stranger in Our Midst
• How to Nurture Jewish Grandchildren Being Raised in an Interfaith Family
• Optimism for a Jewish Future

Harriet Rossetto is the founder, CEO and clinical director of Beit T'Shuvah. She is the author of Sacred Housekeeping: A Spiritual Memoir.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Bereshit
Noach
Lech L'cha
Va-yeira
Chayei Sarah
Toledot
Va-yetzei
Va-yishlach
Va-yeishev
Miketz
Va-yigash
Va-yechi
Shemot
Va-eira
Bo
Beshalach
Yitro
Mishpatim
Terumah
Tetzaveh
Ki Tisa
Va-yakhel
Pekudei
Va-yikra
Tzav
Shemini
Tazria
Metzora
Acharei Mot
Kedoshim
Emor
Behar
Bechukotai
Bemidbar
Naso
Behaalotecha
Shelach L’cha
Korach
Chukat
Balak
Pinchas
Matot/Mas’ei
Devarim
Va-etchanan
Eikev
Re’eih
Shofetim
Ki Teitzei
Ki Tavo
Nitzavim
Va-yelech
Haazinu

My Covenant
Afterword
The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
Secular Calendar of Torah Readings: 2016–2020
Glossary
Suggestions for Further Reading

Editorial Reviews

"A valuable asset to the crucial role of spirituality in recovery."

—Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD, founder, Gateway Rehabilitation Center; author, A Formula for Proper Living: Practical Lessons from Life and Torah

“A precious gift, a guide to uncovering our passion and our purpose. [It] offers us lessons to live by and the strength to reveal our truth and our courage. Day by day, let this journey into the words of Torah lead you on a path to recovery.”

—Rabbi Naomi Levy, author, To Begin Again and Hope Will Find You

“A climber's manual for anyone whose lifeline includes the Five Books of Moses…. Helps you find the insights you need to live the recovery you want. An important and compelling book.”

—Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, Recovery—The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice

“Lively, highly readable…. Challenges us to create lives of purpose, meaning, integrity and transparency…. A unique, valuable addition to the spiritual treatment of addictive disorders.”

—Dr. David Friedman, addiction psychiatrist; assistant clinical professor, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine

“The strength of the commentary is in the straightforward messages [Rabbi Mark] teaches from Torah…. Certainly needed.”

—Arnold Eisen, PhD, chancellor, The Jewish Theological Seminary

“Provides a simple yet profound spiritual practice to facilitate recovery…. I will keep this book on my breakfast table, for daily nourishment and inspiration!”

—Rabbi Laura Owens, Congregation B’nai Horin, Children of Freedom; chair of the board, Academy for Jewish Religion, California

“Weave[s] stories from the Torah with issues confronting us every day. Intriguing questions stimulate self-reflection, encouraging you to look inside in a non-threatening way. Read this book and it will surely enrich your soul. I know it did mine.”

—Dr. Susan Krevoy, founding director, Susan B. Krevoy Eating Disorders Program

“An essential companion for anyone who wants to experience the life-changing gifts of daily practice that leads to holiness and wholeness…. There is no more sure-footed guide to the immersion of Torah and recovery in our lives.”

—Rabbi Jodie Siff, Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore

“Offers … immediate access to the power of Torah to repair the world—the world of the individual and family seeking recovery…. Remarkable…. Anyone who seeks guidance will find it here in abundance.”

—Leonard Buschel, certified substance abuse counselor; founder, Writers in Treatment; creator, Reel Recovery Film Festival

“This richly buoyant book propels us all forward to find luminous meaning in our lives. So at home in both the Torah and the 12 Steps, this book will help a wide audience live in the soul and discover joy and wholeness there.”

—Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ, founder/executive director, Homeboy Industries; author, Tattoos on the Heart

“A wellspring of inspiration and practical, spiritual guidance certain to support all who walk the path of recovery.”

—Rabbi Edwin S. Harris, PhD, visiting assistant professor of pastoral counseling, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles

“Rabbi Mark’s … extraordinary teaching brings Torah to life. His book is a gift to all who search for a truth to live by.”

—Rabbi Edward Feinstein, author, Tough Questions Jews Ask: A Young Adult’s Guide to Building a Jewish Life and The Chutzpah Imperative: Empowering Today’s Jews for a Life That Matters

“Give[s] you the right questions in order to enhance the way you live. I’ve worked with Rabbi Mark in various ways and he has helped me in ways I never thought possible.”

—Jimmy Iovine, record and film producer; co-founder, Interscope Records; chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M.

“An invaluable resource for all of us who yearn to live with a sense of meaning…. [I]nvites us to grapple with questions that help us integrate the wisdom of Torah into the fabric of our lives.”

—Rabbi Mychal Springer, chaplain; director, The Center for Pastoral Education at The Jewish Theological Seminary

From the Publisher