The Wisdom of Solomon and Us: The Quest for Meaning, Morality and a Deeper Relationship with God

Can an ancient king supply a salve for our modern spiritual restlessness?

King Solomon wisely taught that we must live each stage of our lives in a constructive way. As long as we have goals and aspirations, we are alive; we are growing; we are using the gift of time in a meaningful way.
--from Chapter 1, "When There Is Life--Live!"

Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD, mines the biblical literature attributed to King Solomon, the Hebrew Bible's model of wisdom, for the answers to life's important questions.

Ecclesiastes--What is life's meaning and mission? What is my significance in the vastness of space and the eternity of time?
Proverbs--How can I help maintain a healthy society, with a focus on truth, compassion and moral courage?
The Song of Songs--How can I achieve a genuine, soul-satisfying relationship with God?

More than biblical commentary, Rabbi Angel shows us how Solomon's wisdom can soothe the contemporary disquiet of all of us seeking a thoughtful, challenging and spiritually vibrant approach to life.

Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD, is founder and director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals (www.jewishideas.org). Rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel of New York City, he is author and editor of twenty-nine books, including Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism; Foundations of Sephardic Spirituality: The Inner Life of Jews of the Ottoman Empire (both finalists for the National Jewish Book Award); The Rhythms of Jewish Living: A Sephardic Expoloration of Judaism's Spirituality (all Jewish Lights); and Maimonides--Essential Teachings on Jewish Faith and Ethics: The Book of Knowledge and the Thirteen Principles of Faith--Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Paths).