Shalom,

     Now that the High Holy Days are over, and in between my rabbinic work, teaching and parenting, one of the joys of my life is reading. It is no coincidence that I am a Jew — we are indeed the people of the Book - not just the Torah, but of many books. Traditionally, when we Jews read, converse, debate or teach, we are always referencing other books we have read. We mention "proof texts" — examples upon examples of teachings from other books that prove our points in a debate, quotations from Torah, Talmud, Mishna and the great rabbis, to illustrate an idea, teach a child or an adult. We tell stories we have heard or read in books OR we make up stories and then write them down. We Jews thrive on books - perhaps someday we will thrive on Kindle, or some other computer-driven reading device (though I pray that good old paper books will never cease to be part of the human landscape!). We are not unique. Other cultures and peoples, too, read books, cherish books and share their stories — but I am a Jew, so I talk about us.    

I want to enthusiastically recommend two books for your reading pleasure, learning — and the deepening of your hearts. Both are in the genre of 'memoirs' of a sort. I love reading memoirs because, if well-written and substantive,  they give me a chance to peek into the window of the life, mind, heart and soul of another human being.

The first  book is: Rage Against the Meshugenah: A Memoir by Danny Evans.  The subtitle of the book is: WHY IT TAKES BALLS TO GO NUTS. This is a tough book to read - and a pleasure. I laughed, I was put off by some it pages, I cried at parts, I became thoughtful at others. Danny Evans writes a moving account of his own prolonged and deep depression and he emerged from it.