Psychiatry and Religion [Paperback]

Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe (1914 – 2005) was born in Berlin in the early part of the twentieth century. He studied in the Mir Yeshiva in Poland under Rav Yerucham Levovitz. He is best known as the author of Alei Shur, a musar classic discussing personal growth as it pertains to Yeshiva students.

For more than 30 years (1948-1981), Rav Wolbe served as the menahel ruchani of Yeshivas Be'er Yaakov. In his essay "Psychiatry and Religion" (1982), originally published in Hebrew in Bishvilei HaRefuah (Laniado Hospital), Rav Wolbe examines the intersection of religion, culture, and psychotherapy.

At the center of Rav Wolbe's thought is the "Olam HaYedidus" or "World of Friendship." He outlined a uniquely Jewish psychological perspective using connection versus estrangement as the guiding clinical lens, emphasizing a relational approach.

Rav Wolbe wrote "Psychiatry and Religion" in response to the growing influence of psychology in Jewish communities, which was often misused to excuse behavior and erode belief in free will. We believe that this work is as relevant today as it was over 40 years ago. This work attempts to allow the English-speaking public to benefit from this essay. There is a wealth of information added in the footnotes, as well as references to other places in Rav Wolbe's works that discuss these topics.

A project of SIMHA - Sephardic Initiative for Mental Health Awareness

Binding: Paperback
Size: 6" x 9"
Pages: 156
Language: Hebrew / English
ISBN: 9798218858698

Psychiatry and Religion [Paperback]
A World of Friendship
By: Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe
Translated and Edited by: Rabbi David J. Sutton and Dov Rosenfeld, LMSW