Happiness Prayer

At age 30 Evan Moffic became the leader of a large congregation. He had great success. But he couldn't find happiness. Then he found a 2000-year-old prayer. In it were hidden elements of Jewish wisdom. They became a part of his life and those of his congregation and transformed them and him.

In the tradition of Rabbi Harold Kushner, Moffic opens up wisdom that has been at the heart Judaism for thousands of years. He distills the "Eilu Devarim" an ancient prayer for happiness found in the Talmud into ten practices that empower us to thrive through setbacks, so nothing can hamper our happiness.

The ten practices are simple:

• Honor Those Who Gave You Life

• Be Kind

• Keep Learning

• Invite Others into Your Life

• Be There When Others Need You

• Celebrate Good Times

• Support Yourself and Others During Times of Loss

• Pray with Intention

• Forgive

• Look Inside and Commit

The rabbi unpacks these practices of the 2000-year-old prayer with insights for today, that will help you find ways to live with greater happiness and meaning. He draws from interactions with thousands of congregants, as well as his own experience. His conclusion that these actions bring happiness is corroborated by science: people who conduct authentic lives of faith live, on average, seven years longer than others, have more friends and are healthier.

Filled with relatable stories of real people, accessible commentary from contemporary psychologists, and warm humor, this rabbi of a new generation sheds light on an enduring prayer that captures the means and meaning of joyous living that will appeal to everyone.

“"One of our truly thoughtful and charismatic young leaders, Evan Moffic provides in captivating prose the wisdom and comfort of Jewish teachings for Jews and Gentile alike." -- David Ellenson, Chancellor of the Hebrew Union College”

"[T]he wisdom packed into THE HAPPINESS PRAYER could last you a lifetime."--Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune "A book about prayer, kindness, and happiness -- a perfect trilogy. Follow Rabbi Moffic's suggestions, and you will not only be a blessing in other people's lives, you will be a blessing in your own as well." --Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal "Rabbi Moffic captures a primary contemporary pursuit - happiness - and refracts it through anecdotes, rabbinic wisdom and popular culture to remind us that that the path to happiness is right before us at all times. Its wisdom is like the prize inside of a box of crackerjacks - a simple pleasure."--Rabbi Lori Shapiro, The Open Temple "Rabbi Evan Moffic masterfully invokes ancient Jewish wisdom to help us find happiness in our modern world."-- Dr. Tal Ben Shahar, author of New York Times bestseller Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment "A much needed reminder - in a culture of seeking - that happiness can be a return to something ancient; Evan Moffic's insights and humanity fill the pages of THE HAPPINESS PRAYER, shining beauty and affirmation on the wisdom of a 2000-year-old prayer, and making it accessible to anyone yearning for a more meaningful life."--Dan Ain, founder of "Because Jewish" and former Rabbi in Residence at 92Y p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'} "A book about prayer, kindness, and happiness -- a perfect trilogy. Follow Rabbi Moffic's suggestions, and you will not only be a blessing in other people's lives, you will be a blessing in your own as well." --Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal "Spiritual wisdom meets positive psychology, showing that the examined life is not an unhappy one."--Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and coauthor of Option B "I wish that every Christian I know could sit around a table with Rabbi Moffic and his wife, Ari-also a rabbi. My husband, Aaron, and I have treasured the time we've spent around the table with them-they're wise and kind and funny, and the depth and richness of their faith bleeds into every conversation." --Shauna Niequist, bestselling author "The longer I live, and the more I'm faced with the inescapable reality of pain in life, the more I search for and surround myself with people who exude joy. Men and women who know how to dance in the rain. My friend, Rabbi Evan Moffic, is a shining example. It's impossible to be in a bad mood when I'm with him. And this book delivers that joyful spirit directly to you." --Michele Cushatt, author of I Am: A 60-day Journey To Knowing Who You Are Because of Who He is "Want to know where to put your energy for a life that has maximal meaning, connection, and opportunities to grow as a person? Read THE HAPPINESS PRAYER. Rabbi Evan Moffic masterfully takes us on a powerful journey through the wisdom of our tradition and the complexities of the human heart. This happiness isn't about quick fixes and instant gratification--rather, it's the recipe for something much more long-lasting and sustaining."--Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, author of Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in The Frustration, Boredom Tears, Poop, Desperation, Wonder and Radical Amazement of Parenting "With sensitivity and insight, Rabbi Evan Moffic offers ancient wisdom to give us meaning and mooring amidst the challenges of our daily lives."--Rabbi David Stern "Rabbi Moffic makes Judaism relevant to our daily lives. He inspires us to view ethical values through an inclusive and universal lens encouraging us to find acceptance, joy, and happiness in everything we do."--Jason Brown, Olympic figure skater "One of our truly thoughtful and charismatic young leaders, Evan Moffic provides in captivating prose the wisdom and comfort of Jewish teachings for Jews and Gentile alike." --David Ellenson, Chancellor of the Hebrew Union College

EVAN MOFFIC is the youngest senior rabbi of a large synagogue (1000+ member) in the United States. He leads Congregation Solel in suburban Chicago. A Class of 2000 graduate of Stanford University, Rabbi Moffic was ordained as a rabbi by the Reform movement's Hebrew Union College in 2006. He has spoken at Jewish book festivals and more than 100 synagogues, churches and organizational gatherings across the country.

As the child of a psychiatrist, Rabbi Moffic has always been interested in the connection between psychology and spirituality. He and his father, Dr. H. Steven Moffic, have presented together at the American Psychiatric Association. He and his wife, Rabbi Arielle Moffic, have married and counseled over 300 interfaith couples and work with them on an ongoing basis to help them bring spiritual wisdom and practices into their families.

At age 30 Evan Moffic became the leader of a large congregation. He had great success. But he couldn't find happiness. Then he found a 2000-year-old prayer. In it were hidden elements of Jewish wisdom. They became a part of his life and those of his congregation and transformed them and him. In the tradition of Rabbi Harold Kushner, Moffic opens up wisdom that has been at the heart Judaism for thousands of years. He distills the "Eilu Devarim" an ancient prayer for happiness found in the Talmud into ten practices that empower us to thrive through setbacks, so nothing can hamper our happiness.The ten practices are simple: Honor Those Who Gave You Life Be Kind Keep Learning Invite Others into Your Life Be There When Others Need You Celebrate Good Times Support Yourself and Others During Times of Loss Pray with Intention Forgive Look Inside and CommitThe rabbi unpacks these practices of the 2000-year-old prayer with insights for today, that will help you find ways to live with greater happiness and meaning. He draws from interactions with thousands of congregants, as well as his own experience. His conclusion that these actions bring happiness is corroborated by science: people who conduct authentic lives of faith live, on average, seven years longer than others, have more friends and are healthier. Filled with relatable stories of real people, accessible commentary from contemporary psychologists, and warm humor, this rabbi of a new generation sheds light on an enduring prayer that captures the means and meaning of joyous living that will appeal to everyone.

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