Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things (rev ed)

"Uplifting" --William Safire

"It is through the unremarkable events of daily life that we discover universal and wondrous spiritual truths. Finding meaning in the mundane is just a matter of knowing where to look, says Leder, a rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. The author notes that it's hard to find the sacred in the everyday when every day is a blur. Through vignettes both poignant and funny, Leder points out connections between our everyday experiences and the teachings of Judaism. Leder uses stories about an accident-prone pet frog, handing over pocket change to a homeless person, a weekend fishing trip and a roller-coaster ride to show how God can be found in the nooks and crannies of our familiar routines. Leder incorporates thousands of years of Jewish wisdom in his stories by weaving into them passages from the Torah, the Talmud and Midrash. His stories are an engaging way to explore Judaism's relevance to our lives, and his anecdotes show us that true holiness can be found in the humble corners of daily life." --Publishers Weekly Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

"Rabbi Leder is everything we search for in a modern wise man; learned, kind, funny, and non-judgmental. For those of us whose daily issues are those of family, love, and loss, he offers remarkably healing guidance. In this book, he finds the true fabric of our spiritual lives." -- Wendy Wasserstein, playwright.

"Steven Leder's polished gems of insight confirm the teaching that words issued from the heart have the power to enter our hearts." -- Harold Kushner, author, When Ban Things Happen to Good People

"Many Jews relate to God only on holidays and only in synagogue. Rabbi Leder makes us aware that true religiosity means finding God everywhere, everyday. An inspiring, profoundly religious book." -- Joseph Telushkin, author, Jewish Literacy