Rabbi Steve Leder gracefully explores the ways pain can work to bring about change

Written by Steve Leder, senior rabbi at Wilshere Boulevard Temple in LA, More Beautiful Than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us takes readers on a journey through the cycle of life. From the naivety of childhood to that familiar transition in adulthood when you stop being cared for by your parents and become the carer, Leder reflects on how to optimise our time during each of these eras in a series of striking non-fiction accounts.

The depth of the book examines the ways that pain can be an invitation to change; leading to motions of remorse, empathy, compassion and healing.

By exploring the personal, physical and emotional discomfort of a serious car accident he was involved in, Rabbi Leder intertwines his suffering with that of his congregation in order to determine how best to offer support. People regularly visit him to discuss their problems, including adultery, cancer, bereavement and career difficulties, to which he advises how they can show true repentance and ultimately come to terms with forgiveness.

Throughout the book, spirituality and practicality are woven wonderfully through numerous true accounts, with each chapter headed up by references from great leaders and philosophers. For example, Cesar Chavez’s quote in chapter 15: “You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.”

It’s impossible not to relate to the experiences discussed. Leder comments that his objective is “to inspire in us all a life worthy of our suffering; a life gentler, wiser and more beautiful than before”. This is not to glorify any aspect of pain, but to encourage: “We all walk through hell. The point is not to come out empty handed.”. Using this emotive wisdom, readers are emboldened to approach difficulties with the view that we can all learn and grow from the hardship.

More Beautiful Than Before is a reality check. It serves as a moral compass to inspire readers of “just how extraordinary ordinary is” when it comes to our lives. There are fascinating paradoxes too, such as “life is short, life is long”, provoking the audience to understand the importance of acceptance, not just of others, but also yourself.

In a world where Brexit is at the tip of our tongues and social media at the tip of our fingers, More Beautiful Than Before is the perfect escape. Leder draws stunning similarities between science and religion, with thought-provoking, factual accounts of how they’ve both joined forces in our lives – often to save them – and delivering a fantastic piece that should appeal to all lovers of non-fiction with a propensity to look on the bright side.

By Dani Silver

More Beautiful Than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us is out now on Hay House Inc, £13.99. Get a free chapter at steveleder.com.