Hope, Not Fear: A Guide to Changing the Way We View Death

by Benjamin Blech

In Hope, Not Fear Benjamin Blech helps readers approach the end of life with calm. More than six years ago Blech was diagnosed with a fatal illness and given six months to live. Over the course of his career Rabbi Blech had counseled hundreds of people through the losses of loved ones and their own end of life, but when confronted with his own unexpected diagnosis he struggled with mortality in a new way. This personal and heartfelt book shares the answers people grappling with the end of life want to know—from what happens when we die to how we can live fully in the meantime. Drawing insights from many religious traditions as well as near death experiences, Hope, Not Fear shares the wisdom and comfort we all need to view death in an entirely new light.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2018

About the author

Benjamin Blech, born in Zurich in 1933, is an Orthodox rabbi who now lives in New York City.

Rabbi Blech has been a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University since 1966, and was the Rabbi of Young Israel of Oceanside for 37 years. In addition to his work in the rabbinate, Rabbi Blech has written many books on Judaism and the Jewish people and speaks on Jewish topics to communities around the world.

Rabbi Blech received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yeshiva University, a Master of Arts degree in psychology from Columbia University, and rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Roslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this tagged as 'Currently reading' for a long time. Personal disclosure: my husband died just on two months ago now. It felt right to finally read this properly now. I hope to right a short review, or at least some random comments, some time soon.

[Jezzeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Character is the sum of all we struggle against.

[Michael Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Blech offers a very interesting thesis on the why of death - one that will certainly provide comfort to many people. He uses his Jewish learning, personal experiences and wisdom to find comfort upon receiving confirmation of his own death sentence secondary to an incurable disease.

It is beautifully constructed and well written. At times I became uncomfortable when it would reach a little "new agey", only to be relieved when Rabbi Blech offers an interpretation consistent of these events with traditional Jewish thought (example, reincarnation and near death experiences).

Rabbi Blech's book " Hope Not Fear" will sit next to Rabbi Kushner's "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" in my office and I have no doubt I will be recommending it to friends, colleagues and patients.