God Was in This Place and I, I Did Not Know

by Lawrence Kushner

Who am I? Who is God? Kushner creates inspiring interpretations of Jacob's dream in Genesis, opening a window into Jewish spirituality for people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Genres: Jewish, Judaism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Theology, Faith

181 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jonmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book best read in small doses. If read with speed you will most certainly miss something important. Sit with it and invest your soul.

[Ryan Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, not at all what I expected.

This was yet another book I stumbled upon in grad school and told myself someday I'd need to get back to. I'm glad I did.

The story of Jacob's Ladder, reinterpreted and expounded upon by 7 Jewish teachers/scholars throughout history. Sounds riveting right? In spite of the dull premise, Kushner writes from a deep place of wisdom and leaves us with some great insights.

"Indeed, I suspect, real loving stands reverent precisely in the mystery of another's unknowable unfathomable self."

"It's too late, the dream is done, and the ladder pulled back up to Heaven."
"Do I ever get another chance?"
"Probably. There most likely will be hundreds of ladders. But they don't come with signs saying, 'I am a ladder, don't be afraid, climb me now.' If they did, we would all be heroes, bravely seizing each historic moment, bringing history closer to God."

This book is part of a greater journey in which I find myself, and I've appreciated the insight it has provided.

[Poetreehugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The beginning of knowing about God, in other words, is simply paying attention, being fully present where you are, or...waking up." p.26.
"The necessary price for becoming an autonomous adult is the unending pain of separation." p. 74.
"Religious rituals are a funny sequence of things we do to help us remember that we have forgotten why we have been created, and gently provide us with the instruments of return." p.88.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a Jewish rabbi, with nine chapters from the perspectives of different historical rabbis. Each chapter is a different interpretation of the Jacob’s ladder story. A fascinating look at Jewish interpretation history and spirituality.

[char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really wonderful. Some of the chapters were a bit of a stretch, but such fascinating midrash and connections throughout.

[Mark Schlatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because I was intrigued by the high concept: Kushner takes the story of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28 and interprets it seven different ways --- specifically, using the approach of seven different rabbis. But the tone of the book is less comparative than it sounds. Kushner is obviously influenced by Jewish mysticism, and that emphasis becomes more and more strong as the book progresses.

I had some good insights reading this, especially in the ways Jewish mystical thought parallels some of what I know of Buddhism. However, it finally felt more like Kushner's take than that of the rabbis, and I wasn't that compelled by his approach.

[Bill Dauster · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspired and creative interpretation of Jacob's dream at Beth El, which Kushner imagines through the eyes of seven wise Jews of history. A gem of a book.

[Stephen Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books where immediately upon finishing it, I knew a re-read was in order. Kushner takes one story from the book of Genesis, and writes an entire book about it. This was a friendly reminder that God's Word is a diamond, and turning that gem ever so slightly, illuminates an aspect that, perhaps, we missed before.

Kushner brings in a wide range of Jewish scholars, rabbis, and midrash on this text. At the end of each chapter, you are transported to a surreal place of awe and intrigue. The book places you in the story over and over again and asks tough questions not only of the characters in the story, but also about our lives.

My favorite part of the book is Kushner's thesis that the first step to finding God is learning to pay attention. He instructs us to pay attention to our lives, our surroundings, and our souls. Because God is there...and perhaps the reason we fail to see God is because we are too focused on paying attention to ourselves.

I'd recommend this short (but immensely full!) book to anyone interested in the story behind the text and also for some great insights on Jewish spirituality. Read it with a pen in hand and journal close by.

"The beginning of knowing about God, in other words, is simply paying attention, being fully present where you are..." Lawrence Kushner

[Scott Taryle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with Mark Schlatter's comments.  This book has several interesting insights, but overall I was disappointed.  The concept is intriguing: imagining the angels of Jacob's ladder as seven great Jewish thinkers from throughout history who teach Jacob (and us) their different interpretations of the same verse from Torah.  But we learn precious little about those seven rabbanim: instead they serve primarily as mouthpieces for the author's own voice and viewpoint, and their conversations with Jacob often feel contrived and clunky. Admittedly, I might have enjoyed this book much more if I were interested in Kabalah, (mysticism).  I may even recommend this book to those seeking an accessible introduction to that subject. 

[Zhelana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was something that seems pretty rare. An in depth look at one Torah passage going through what seven different sages say about that one sentence, but written for a popular audience. I wish that there were more books like this because it seems like there is a huge gap between the books written on Judaism 101 and those written for students in rabbinical school where not much gets written. This filled that gap, though I wish that there were more that would fill it. This book was absolutely wonderful, and I am so glad I found it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing. So much to think about. Seven ways to interpret one verse of the Torah. Each requiring time and thought. I found this to be a wonderful meditation. I am sure that I will return to it frequently to wake again to a new way to see my relationship with God. I think each rereading will bring new insights. Really well done. Very readable. Lots of breaks to make it possible to stop, ponder and find one's place when returning.

[John Mccambridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

God Was in This Place is a really exciting insight into the Jewish tradition of interpretive heterodoxy. It is the same story (Gen. 28) about Joseph waking up from his dream where he wrestled with God and exclaiming, "God was in this place and I, I did not know," but with multiple interpretations. For anyone who is more used to the Protestant Christian idea of a singular or correct interpretation, this book really gives a great survey of something different and exciting.

[Judy]

For me this book was not as good as his book River of Light. "The great insight of religion is not that we find GOD in everyday life; it is that finding God returns us to everyday life. Forgetting oneself, making the self as nothing, gives us life beyond thinking and theology, beyond the incessant self-reflecting that renders us voyeurs of our own lives. " p. 86
"You cannot change who you are not, you must change who you really are - therefore it is essential that we know who we really are."

[Memory Mathema · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is best read slowly like a meditation. You cannot rush it. I battled with some of the Jewish thought elements that were intertwined in the structure of the book but I appreciated the depth of the message. I had to read some of the chapters more than once before moving on to the next one. The book became my daily devotional over the last couple of months. I will read it again after all repetition is not redundant

[Joshua Scroggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed learning about Jewish understandings/interpretations of Scripture, but this is my first venture into Jewish spirituality. It did not disappoint. At times I felt like I may have been missing the nuance of a particular perspective (in comparison to another), but this probably means the book deserves a re-read.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked this book; there was both much depth to chew on, but also there were places where I got lost in the weeds of it. Perhaps If I read it again, and more slowly, I would find more of the mystery. but I love the concept of listening to different rabbis throughout the centuries muse about this verse and this story.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes the style of Jewish writings is beyond me. More an issue with my comprehension than the author, I’m sure. There is a deep intensity when interpreting Jewish scriptures that are hard to grasp.

[Jake Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was impactful. I went into this book looking for what I could get out of it and it got something out of me haha! If that did make sense you should read this. If that didn’t make sense you should also read this.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting, thought-provoking, and helpful exploration of spirituality (a concept that perplexes me), centered on a line in the Torah text describing Jacob's Ladder.

[HobbesR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful book, want to read it again already!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating new viewpoints for familiar Bible passages.

[Ann Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The words and thoughts of this book move me to tears of wonder. I will read it and ponder over it again.

[Steph Bangs · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much depth in this book. I could start from the beginning right now and read a completely different book. I have been changed reading this.

[Sav · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

181 pp. book recommendation from Richard Rohr
A mid rash about what Jacob said after his ladder dream in Genesis 28:16.
It was interesting to read the different ways of looking at one scripture.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep truths for readers of any spiritual practice or religious affiliation.

[Jayde Schwerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read indeed.

[Erin Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a lot went over my head. I look forward to discussing it in my noon club. It shows the depth of the Jewish interpretive tradition and how Scripture has so much to teach us.

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book that offers new ways to think about just one line in the Bible. Rabbinic interpretations are painted broadly but brought close to home by the yarn of the premise: that, when he wakes from the dream of the ladder, Jacob speaks to each rabbi as they try to teach him what it (and what Jacob's response to the dream) means.

Kushner sometimes gives some cheesy domestic examples to underscore his points, but these are unfrequent and pardoned by the wealth of the way he unpacks the movements and thoughts of Judaic philosophy and interpretation.

Highly recommend!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost finished with this, which is a collection of imagined conversations between the Biblical Jacob and 7 rabbinic heavyweights concerning the story of Jacob's Ladder.

This is very accessible; the chapters are short and the conclusions are not forced; I am able to follow the arguments very well, which I did not expect. The sources are located on the sides of the page, aligned with the texts, which is a very sensible and eye-saving way to display citations.