Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Spirit Tale Four, Teacher of The Fear of The Lord is written by Rabbi Sipporah Joseph. The narrator is Grandmother Sasson, who is speaking to her children and grandchildren. The Spirit Tales concern a group of students who are attending the School of Divine Instruction. 234 students set out on this educational journey. There are seven teachers who counsel them in sequential order. Each student progresses from one teacher to the next as they are deemed ready. The fourth tale in this series takes place under the tutelage of the Teacher of the Fear of the Lord. He is an intense and commanding presence, and he quickly singles out a woman, Levana, who has been somewhat slow in her progression. Teacher and student are instantly transported to a hot desert-like plain with scorching winds. When Levana asks why they are there, the teacher explains that the harsh environment reflects the state of her spiritual well-being.

Rabbi Sipporah Joseph's fourth religious philosophical tale, Spirit Tale Four, Teacher of The Fear of The Lord is an intriguing and enlightening intellectual exercise. Levana's behavior is the subject of discussion on two levels: that discourse between her and the teacher, and Grandmother Sasson's discussion with her family. When Levana asserts that no one has the right to judge her, the teacher shows how her actions have not only affected the men she's been involved with, but their families and, in doing so, she's reaped the whirlwind, the harsh winds surrounding her as they speak. Grandmother Sasson and her family discuss whether there is a right to judge another and how Judaic tradition dictates one should try to reason with someone whose behavior is hurting others. I was surprised by how involved I became in this tale. At first, I worried that there would be a thunder and brimstone lecture and was quite pleased to see that the teaching I received was more an intellectual and dispassionate exercise on morality, judgment, and the effects of one's actions on others, sprinkled with references for further study. Spirit Tale Four, Teacher of The Fear of The Lord gives one a lot to think about, and I'm glad I read it.