Mark Wildes - Beyond the Instant: Jewish Wisdom for Lasting Happiness in a Fast-Paced, Social Media World

Advance Praise for Beyond the Instant

A fine and timely read! Written with passion and empathy, Rabbi Wildes important book urges young Jews around the world not just to treasure their heritage and history but to recognize why Judaisms timeless values have much to say in todays complex world.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth

Rabbi Mark Wildes has demonstrated a unique ability to reach out to Jews of all backgrounds and help them find the beauty and relevance of Judaism to their lives. He is a kind of Pied Piper to scores of millennials who gravitate to him on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. This book reflects his wisdom and his kindness. It demonstrates why so many Jews look to him as their rabbi.

Deborah E. Lipstadt, author of Denying the Holocaust and Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies, Emory University

In Beyond the Instant: Jewish Wisdom for Lasting Happiness in a Fast-Paced, Social Media World, Rabbi Mark Wildes has written a highly readable book with practical advice rooted in the wisdom of religion and ancient writings. Using multiple examples from a wide array of sources, both contemporary and biblical, Rabbi Wildes addresses the pressing questions of our times: the path to enduring happiness, what matters in looking for a life-partner and how to achieve mindfulness in a world filled with distraction and the superficial. I strongly recommend this book to anybody who is interested in achieving a fresh perspective grounded in the deep knowledge that Judaism has imparted to the world over the millennia.

Dr. David Pelcovitz, Straus Chair in Psychology and Education, Azrieli Graduate School, Yeshiva University

Rabbi Mark Wildes has inspired thousands of young women and men in the last two decades to take their Judaism more seriously through his innovative programs, meaningful services, and exciting classes at the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE) that he founded and leads. With this excellent book, he now brings his message to an even wider audience who will benefit from his deep wisdom and insight. Blessed with prodigious learning and vast outreach experience, Rabbi Wildes beautifully demonstrates how the age-old wisdom of the Torah is directly relevant to the core issues of twenty-first century living. Clearly written, thoughtful, learned, and practical, this is a book that will interest, challenge and educate novice and old-timer alike.

Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter, professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and Senior Scholar, Center for the Jewish Future, Yeshiva University

Mark Wildes is a living legend. His success in demonstrating to countless modern-day Jews the relevance, the beauty and the joys of our ancient faith are unparalleledand the secrets of how he managed to transform so many lives are revealed in this treasure house of wisdom and inspiration.

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, Professor of Talmud, Yeshiva University

Beyond the Instant is like reading all of Malcolm Gladwells books, except this will not only better your life, it will actually nourish your soul. Its not just self-help. Its self-fulfillment.

Elon Gold, comedian, actor, writer, and producer

From Maimonides to The Matrix, Wildes shows an impressive ability to seamlessly fuse Torah teachings with pop culture in a manner that makes for an accessible, entertaining, and insightful read.

The Algemeiner

Finally a Jewish take on wisdom to live by.

Publishers Weekly

[Rabbi Wildes] does not cast guiltbut instead elucidates on the beneficial effects of following various commandments and practices.

San Diego Jewish World

Copyright 2018 by Rabbi Mark Wildes

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or info@skyhorsepublishing.com.

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Michelle Soffen

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-3185-1

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3186-8

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am privileged to have been blessed with mentors, family members, and friends who have inspired me in my work and without whom this book could never have been written.

Although it has been over twenty years since her passing, my mother, Ruth B. Wildes, of blessed memory, showed me the kind of love and encouragement which nurtures me to this day. My mother was a person of great religious devotion and my first genuine source of spiritual inspiration. Her love for the Shabbat and graciousness with which she received both friends and strangers at her expanding Shabbat table inspired me to establish MJE and to dedicate its outreach work to her memory. This book is a testament to the love she gave me and the model of Judaism she created in our home.

My father, may he continue to live and be well, remains my greatest mentor. From grade school through graduate school my father would correct all the mistakes in my papers with his notorious red pen. It was sometimes a brutal experience but he taught me how to write and speak, reviewing my sermons to this day. My professor in law school and my chavruta, my study partner, my father is someone from whom I continue to learn and with whom I am privileged to study Torah. He has stood behind my every endeavor and fully supported my decision to establish MJE and devote myself to education and outreach. This book is therefore a tribute to my father, my teacher.

Jill, my partner for the last twenty-two years, is my greatest inspiration. I had the privilege of watching her grow into an observant Jew and her love and passion for Torah and Jewish life has inspired hundreds of others to explore their own spiritual heritage. Jill is the ultimate role model to our children and she is the love of my life. She is my constant support while always challenging me to be better. She is my greatest gift, without whom neither MJE nor this book could ever be possible.

My children Yosef, Ezra, Yehuda, and Avigayil are my greatest source of pride, and I wish to acknowledge their love and support in all I do. Special thanks to my two older sons, Yosef and Ezra, for their insights, some of which have been incorporated into this book, and for pushing me to complete this important task.

To my brother Michael, who to this day looks after me like a true older brother. We have always taken pride in each others accomplishments. Michaels support and that of my sister-in-law Amy mean the world to me.

I wish to offer special thanks to my beloved teacher, Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, for reviewing this manuscript and sharing his brilliant insights. For over twenty years Ive sat at the feet of this great scholar and noted author, absorbing his extraordinary wisdom and being the recipient of his loving guidance and mentorship. In August of 1998 Rabbi Schacter helped establish MJE at the Jewish Center on the upper West Side of Manhattan, where it remains to this day. He has been there for me and the needs of the organization since day one. This book is just one of the many things for which Rabbi Schacter can take credit.