Book Report #3
Title: The Garden of Emuna – A Practical Guide To Life
Date Finished: February 26, 2025
Author: The Garden of Emuna by Rabbi Shalom Arush

of pages: 287

Why did I choose to read The Garden of Emuna?
This book was recommended by a fellow inmate I highly trusted who also goes to Temple with me. He thought this book could enlighten me and help build on my religious foundation.
Being that I grew up in a traditional Jewish family, we celebrated Jewish holidays and I was Bar Mitzvahed as a young boy. Today, I always believed I could have a stronger Jewish foundation as to what being a Jew is and to learn how to be a better Jew by reading this book.

What have I learned by reading this book?
By reading the Garden of Emuna, I’ve learned many Judaic principles I never knew before. I will list 5 below.

1. The word Emuna, which is pronounced E-Moon-Uh, means Faith and having a firm belief in the one spiritual and powerful creator.
2. The word Hashem literally means “the one” and it is to be used so we don’t use his name in vain.
3. According to the Holy Zohar of the 2nd Century, his interpretation of the Torah says that Hashem created us for the sole purpose to get to know him better.
4. Recognize that our daily activities and experiences in our lives are personal messages from Hashem which stimulates our Emuna and again helps us to get to know Hashem better.
5. The purpose of getting to know Hashem is to achieve our soul correction. Our soul correction enables us to cope with all situations, good or bad, without stress, worry and anxiety.

How will reading the Garden of Emuna contribute to my success upon my release?
I’ve always wanted a better understanding about what it means to be a Jew and this book overwhelmingly has impacted me and my family in such a positive light. Before going to Otisville, I never thought about Hashem or what Hashem would think. Now, my goal is to have a closer relationship with Hashem and to make him proud. In making Hashem proud, I make myself proud, and in making myself proud, I make my family proud which is the ultimate for me.

Today marks a full 30 days, a month I’ve been in Otisville and while reading this book, I have participated in a few new Jewish activities I’ve never done before. I’ve put on Tefillin with the help of a new friend, and I’ve learned that doing Tefillin is one of the most important acts a Jew can do to bring him closer to Hashem.

I’ve also attended Shabbat services and dinner, both Friday and Saturday for 4 weeks in a row. Doing so, I’ve reconnected my belief, faith and trust in Hashem.

Since starting to read “The Garden of Emuna”, I have shared what I have learned with my family, my Core 7 and you can see it has resonated with them. My daughters and my wife Lori have started saying “Hashem” in emails and saying it over the phone and in person.

Striving to be a better Jew who is always connecting to Hashem, and with my family’s participation,(Shabbat services and saying Hashem) will no doubt help me down the righteous path upon my release.