A Humble Universe

Existential Questions, Brief Answers

Non-Fiction - New Age
51 Pages
Reviewed on 03/28/2021
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite

A Humble Universe: Existential Questions, Brief Answers by Nachum lists what the author says are “random questions” and then, as the title says, gives brief answers, some briefer than others. The questions deal with such subjects as life’s purpose, after and before death, astrology, visitors from other planets, and even Emojis, to name a few—17 altogether. The author states his purpose is not to persuade but simply to offer some ideas. Yet though not trying to convert anyone, Nachum writes with absolute certainty. To place his answers in a category, I would say the ideas are “Eastern” or perhaps “New Age.” And they are fascinating, like all spiritual concepts—if only we could know for sure. Nachum offers no doubts whatever as to what they believe. The book is short and makes complicated ideas easy to understand through extended analogies and examples from our common experience, such as making big decisions from one’s gut.

I loved the book. It made me feel young again when I was asking all these questions. As we get older, we often succumb either to strong conviction (faith) or to the acceptance of agnosticism and focusing on our mundane daily responsibilities. I will leave Nachum’s answers for them to express, for this book is a primer, a decorative doorway for entrance to an intriguing world view. But some of the metaphors—and how else can we explain unproven views—are captivating. For instance, Nachum compares an individual life to a drop of water individualized as it evaporates from the ocean, rises in the atmosphere, and returns to the ocean (universe) again and again in its many cycles. Our purpose is to rise to a higher level with each life. Many will read Nachum’s little book, stuffed with huge ideas, and want to read more. I for one am gripped by the author’s succinct definition of astrology, the best I’ve ever read, and am now moved to investigate it more deeply. If you are asking “random questions” about spiritual matters, you will enjoy Nachum’s A Humble Universe: Existential Questions, Brief Answers.

Lois Henderson

A Humble Universe: Existential Questions, Brief Answers by Nachum is a short work containing the author’s key thoughts on a range of topics, including, among many others, astrology, UFOs, and mental health. Nachum regards himself as a fellow traveler along the road with others and is not bent on persuading anyone of anything, as he merely offers one way of looking at phenomena in the universe. However, he does consider other writers’ opinions on the many issues covered, including those of Bernie Siegel, M.D. on service to others, world-renowned American talk show host Oprah Winfrey on intuition, and former pilot Andy Danzinger on why pilots don’t go more public about personally experienced UFO sightings. Nachum writes humbly and simply in understandable language that is likely to be accessible to all. He clearly has empathy with the average reader, who might be perplexed by the various subtleties and nuances of life.

I found Nachum’s A Humble Universe: Existential Questions, Brief Answers pleasant and easy-going to read, despite the complexity of the multiple topics covered. His writing is extremely clear and understandable, even when dealing with subjects that are as involved as the purpose of life and what happens after we die. As a profound thinker, Nachum constantly questions the various elements of the universe and his linguistically simple, yet cognitively profound approach towards matters of universal concern and interest holds a wealth of soundly expressed thought. The logical and rational way in which he expresses his beliefs allowed me to follow his fluent assertions with ease. In short, A Humble Universe is a powerful summation of deep and soul-felt thoughts on issues of central concern to any person, no matter their culture, creed, or socioeconomic background. As such, it comes highly recommended.

Sarah Stuart

A Humble Universe: Existential Questions, Brief Answers by Nachum comprises an engaging explanatory foreword and seventeen chapters. They range from “Why Did the Universe Begin” to “The Future”. The indication that the content follows a logical sequence is intriguingly misleading. Nachum delves into a wide assortment of subjects such as Freewill versus Predestination, his views on a Conflict in Health Care, to the hidden meaning of the development of emojis. Chapter one tackles the concept of time, and whether time is all time at the same time. People do wonder if there is life after death: more rarely, if ever, where they existed before birth. Nachum takes this further, considering astrology versus astronomy, and religion. A Humble Universe: Existential Questions, Brief Answers challenges the reader’s own beliefs.

In A Humble Universe, Nachum has fulfilled his promise to steer the reader onto strange paths and make them question “the obvious”. It certainly made me rethink a lot of what I “knew”. Should we pray and what is its purpose? It indicates a belief in God. The God of now or the God of all time? I hadn’t realized how often I add emojis to texts, sometimes relying on “thumbs up” to convey my entire reply. Could communication be replaced by images? Thousands of years ago there were no words to write! “Karma” is something I had no time for. Nachum has suggested it has power amongst the many enthralling facets addressed in A Humble Universe: Existential Questions, Brief Answers.