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Creating a Life That Matters: How to Live and Love with Meaning and Purpose
Creating a Life that Matters is a provocative, insightful guide to finding meaning amidst the often-confusing challenges of today’s complex world.The book addresses the personal struggle to discover the purpose of life, difficulties in relationships in marriage and parenting, and answers to the ultimate questions of life, death, and a deeper connection with God,Rabbi Friedman offers a witty and sometimes not-so-commonsense approach to what matters living each moment with peace of mind, fullness of heart, and real, lasting happiness.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2021
192 people are currently reading
508 people want to read
About the author
Manis Friedman
15 books47 followersWorld-renowned author, counselor, lecturer and philosopher, Rabbi Manis Friedman uses ancient wisdom and modern wit as he captivates audiences around the country and around the world. He hosts his own critically acclaimed cable television series, Torah Forum with Manis Friedman, syndicated throughout North America. Over 150,000 copies of his provocative yet entertaining tapes, both audio and video have been sold.
Rabbi Friedman’s first book, DOESN’T ANYONE BLUSH ANYMORE?, published by Harper San Francisco in 1990, was widely praised by the media. BLUSH is currently in its fourth printing. Following the publication of the book, he was featured internationally in over 200 print articles, and interviewed on more than 50 television and radio talk shows. He has appeared on CNN, A&E Reviews, PBS, and BBC Worldwide, and has been the subject of articles in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Guideposts, Insight, Publisher’s Weekly and others.
Rabbi Friedman is a noted Biblical scholar, recognized for his sagacious grasp of Jewish mysticism. In 1971, he founded Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies in Minnesota, the world’s first yeshiva exclusively for women, where he continues to serve as dean. From 1984-1990 he served as simultaneous translator for the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s televised talks.
Rabbi Friedman is a professionally ranked member of the National Speakers Association. His speaking tours take him to every part of this country as well as Israel, England, The Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Canada, and Hong Kong.
Rabbi Friedman was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1946 and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1950. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical College of Canada in 1969.
Rabbi Manis Friedman enthuses each of his listeners and readers with a sense of purpose and definite direction.
Rabbi Friedman’s first book, DOESN’T ANYONE BLUSH ANYMORE?, published by Harper San Francisco in 1990, was widely praised by the media. BLUSH is currently in its fourth printing. Following the publication of the book, he was featured internationally in over 200 print articles, and interviewed on more than 50 television and radio talk shows. He has appeared on CNN, A&E Reviews, PBS, and BBC Worldwide, and has been the subject of articles in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Guideposts, Insight, Publisher’s Weekly and others.
Rabbi Friedman is a noted Biblical scholar, recognized for his sagacious grasp of Jewish mysticism. In 1971, he founded Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies in Minnesota, the world’s first yeshiva exclusively for women, where he continues to serve as dean. From 1984-1990 he served as simultaneous translator for the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s televised talks.
Rabbi Friedman is a professionally ranked member of the National Speakers Association. His speaking tours take him to every part of this country as well as Israel, England, The Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Canada, and Hong Kong.
Rabbi Friedman was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1946 and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1950. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical College of Canada in 1969.
Rabbi Manis Friedman enthuses each of his listeners and readers with a sense of purpose and definite direction.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 2, 2021
"Existence is dead weight. You have to carry it. Life is buoyant. It carries you."
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This is by far one of the most amazing books that I read this month, not even kidding this book got me right from the first page and I couldn't stop admiring and gaining until now from it. It's not a typical self-help book, this book presents the philosophical yet practical aspects of life and living, it just held me so well in my bad time and I don't regret my decision of reading it not just once but twice until now.
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The book explores all human aspects of living, relationship with self and goals, relationship with God and how to sustain grow and stability along with how to learn new skills each single day. This book has it all, for each one of us, doesn't matter how different we're it has a path and a way to serve it's readers in all possible way and that was the best best thing about, you turn on any page and you get a chunk of wisdom that's supported with values and morals and it's not even overpowering.
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The writing style is so wonderful, it feels like a rhythm while reading it. It's extremely easy but deep and goes with the flow so easily. The book showcases various facets of life and will surely bring back the glory that we're missing out.
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I will definitely recommend it to everyone. I'm happy and thrilled as I completed it and I'm sure I will get back to yet whenever need it. If you have not read it yet, you're missing a lot.
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Rating: 4.5⭐️
October 22, 2021
‘...God, therefore, gave to the world something more than mere existence, something that doesn't depend on outside conditions. He gave us life.
Life is the effect something that exists has on its surroundings, the contribution it makes to the world...’
Have you ever wondered the reason for your existence? Have you thought and pondered over the purpose of life? Life isn't only about being and existence, it's also about the reason. And the book has a plethora of thoughts and insights that give the direction to answer these questions, or at least think and internalise.
‘...Existence without life is burdensome and depressing...’
In one chapter called ‘Living versus Existing’, there is a great emphasis on how life is the answer to the purpose of existence. And while existence is about adhering to the basic needs, life is the one that fulfils them. The author also implies how life is the force that drives us, enables us, like buoyancy, the one which carries us and the existence. There are several other aspects described very well. The author explains how existence happens, but what makes a difference in a life and what should be thought about and taken seriously.
There are various interesting and thought-provoking yet independent topics like life after death, independence and identity, free choice, facts truth and consequences, happiness, fearless parenting and so on. The flow is smooth and the language is easy to understand. The writing style is good and it could be read by beginners as well. The philosophy of a range of topics would leave you either with questions or would answer many unanswered questions.
Life is the effect something that exists has on its surroundings, the contribution it makes to the world...’
Have you ever wondered the reason for your existence? Have you thought and pondered over the purpose of life? Life isn't only about being and existence, it's also about the reason. And the book has a plethora of thoughts and insights that give the direction to answer these questions, or at least think and internalise.
‘...Existence without life is burdensome and depressing...’
In one chapter called ‘Living versus Existing’, there is a great emphasis on how life is the answer to the purpose of existence. And while existence is about adhering to the basic needs, life is the one that fulfils them. The author also implies how life is the force that drives us, enables us, like buoyancy, the one which carries us and the existence. There are several other aspects described very well. The author explains how existence happens, but what makes a difference in a life and what should be thought about and taken seriously.
There are various interesting and thought-provoking yet independent topics like life after death, independence and identity, free choice, facts truth and consequences, happiness, fearless parenting and so on. The flow is smooth and the language is easy to understand. The writing style is good and it could be read by beginners as well. The philosophy of a range of topics would leave you either with questions or would answer many unanswered questions.
December 24, 2021
Rivka Goldstein, one of the book's co-authors, was inspired to send a message to her new baby son about how to have the finest "life" possible.
This book discusses the personal battle to understand one's life purpose, marital and parenting challenges and answers to life's ultimate questions of life, death and a closer connection with God.
Our mission, according to Friedman, is not to get to heaven but to impart Godliness to earth. We've turned a small patch of land into heaven.
As we educate our children with patience and compassion, this book emphasizes demonstrating respect to our partner and teaching our children to respect us.
I found it to be easy to read and well-organized, with lovely lessons for me.
Overall I throughly enjoyed this novel and I would highly recommend!!! I am very excited to read more novels by Manis Friedman and Rivka Goldstein work!!!
This book discusses the personal battle to understand one's life purpose, marital and parenting challenges and answers to life's ultimate questions of life, death and a closer connection with God.
Our mission, according to Friedman, is not to get to heaven but to impart Godliness to earth. We've turned a small patch of land into heaven.
As we educate our children with patience and compassion, this book emphasizes demonstrating respect to our partner and teaching our children to respect us.
I found it to be easy to read and well-organized, with lovely lessons for me.
Overall I throughly enjoyed this novel and I would highly recommend!!! I am very excited to read more novels by Manis Friedman and Rivka Goldstein work!!!
April 3, 2024
This collection of Manis Friedman’s essays and speeches as put together by Rivka Goldstein is a good introduction to living a life in accordance with chassidut, the basis of the Chassidic movement. While I found the language harsh at times, if you can get past the metaphors and strong arguments, you can get to the meat of what Friedman is trying to say. There are ways to live a good life for yourself and those around you. While you may not take everything he says exactly at face value, it’s worth the read if this is something you’re interested in.
August 30, 2021
For all the mothers that wanted to write their children letters to give advice on living a good life,
but never had the time.
The addition of the time tested wisdom of Rabbi Manis Friedman doubles the impact for those living a Jewish life and those who aren't.
Read, live and create a life that matters!
but never had the time.
The addition of the time tested wisdom of Rabbi Manis Friedman doubles the impact for those living a Jewish life and those who aren't.
Read, live and create a life that matters!
July 29, 2024
A must read for everyone….the sooner the better!
It covers all aspects of life, dating, marriage, having children, raising children and so forth. It then simple and clearly shares perspectives on how to cope, respond or deal with ALL those daily issues in life YET, still encourage and love one another. LOVE> LOVE> i will read it again! So good.
It covers all aspects of life, dating, marriage, having children, raising children and so forth. It then simple and clearly shares perspectives on how to cope, respond or deal with ALL those daily issues in life YET, still encourage and love one another. LOVE> LOVE> i will read it again! So good.
April 14, 2023
This is by far the best book I’ve read this year. I want to reread it with a highlighter to take note of really salient points throughout the book. I have a feeling I will have more takeaways during the second read.
July 13, 2024
Truly a stellar book. R. Manis Friedman is an excellent orator and proven to be a cherished writer to boot. This is the type of wisdom and thoughtful approach to sharing excellent concepts. I reread this twice a year. Highly recommend.
January 6, 2025
not for an audience who doesn’t practice Judaism
This was a difficult book to finish as I don’t know much about Judaism. There are many references to Jewish words that doesn’t make sense to an outsider. The book was well penned but not at all what I was thinking it would be
This was a difficult book to finish as I don’t know much about Judaism. There are many references to Jewish words that doesn’t make sense to an outsider. The book was well penned but not at all what I was thinking it would be
October 16, 2022
Está lo máximo, divertido, instructivo, una visión sobre la vida, Dios y las relaciones que me fascina.
Un deleite leerlo.
Un deleite leerlo.
January 30, 2024
Life changing. So many golden nuggets, even for us non Jews.
September 13, 2021
I love the perspectives in this book that make me ask questions and challenges me to dig deeper into my understanding of existence. It shows us the difference between existing and truly living!
"That’s why putting our faith in and worshipping anything other than God is considered a violation of God’s laws—it empowers and strengthens that which shouldn’t be strengthened. Which brings us back to self-worship. The more we feed our weaker or lower self, the more we empower it to take over our lives. We then cease to be “the master of my fate . . . the captain of my soul.” Like Dr. Frankenstein who created a monster he could not control, we are now a victim of the self.
"That’s why putting our faith in and worshipping anything other than God is considered a violation of God’s laws—it empowers and strengthens that which shouldn’t be strengthened. Which brings us back to self-worship. The more we feed our weaker or lower self, the more we empower it to take over our lives. We then cease to be “the master of my fate . . . the captain of my soul.” Like Dr. Frankenstein who created a monster he could not control, we are now a victim of the self.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews