Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life - Irwin Kula with Linda Loewenthal

Rabbi Kula offers some provocative and inspirings insights on significant human desires - the yearning for truth, meaning, the way, love, happiness, transcendence, and to create. Our yearnings lead us to deeper lives and deeper yearnings: "Every answer to our important questions leads to a new important question. The truth can set us free, but only if we’re always in the process of discovering it" (3). The pursuit of truth is endless and continually raises questions. This, however, does not imply that truth does not exist or that truth is solely subjective and personal. Kula wipes this option away: "I’ve heard so many people use the phrase 'This is my truth' or 'That’s your truth' as a way to defuse conflict and stifle discussion. This relativism is just lazy absolutism" (9). All of the reflections are worthwhile, but I particular enjoyed Kula's thoughts on Sabbath, creativity, and work.