My Journey into the Heart of Scriptural Faith and the Land Where It All Began

I've always been a fan of Kathy Lee Gifford, I was watching the Today Show when she spoke of her book. As I was listening to her, you could feel the compassion she felt in writing this book and her love for God. Her faith in God shines through and as she is talking I knew this was a book I needed to read. So bought this book that day and started reading it right away . The way she wrote this book was like her sitting here and talking to me. I couldn't put it down. I am ashamed to say I don't know my Bible well, but I do believe in God and try to live my life as He would want me to. So parts of the book I didn't totally understand but understood enough to know I needed to do more research. So I will re-read this book and get my Bible out and look at verses and read more verses. I will be giving this book to my husband to read as well. So Kathie thank you for giving me something to think about and question what I thought to be true. You had said if you could even change one life by talking about your faith in God it was worth it. I believe with this book and the passion you have will surpass that.

I've really enjoyed reading this book. I visited Israel last year and I can relate to so many of the places she mentions in the book. She goes into several places I didn't get to see and has spiked my interest to return again to this great country and visit some of these other historical biblical sites. This book is a very easy to read and enjoyable.

Wow, Kathie Lee Gifford's witness and leadership is powerful! If you haven't learned the difference between Orthodox Jews and Messianic Jews you need to learn and you need to grow in your faith.
God is with us, all we have to do is ask him to come -say Jesus come into my heart. Not everyone has an instant epiphany as far as I know but when you stay in the Word, the Bible, you grow until you feel the need to serve God and his people.

On our journey he picks us up in times of trouble and his arms are waiting when we're done! thank you Kathie Lee for a wonderful trip and I didn't have to leave my room.

So Happy I read this book, Kathie Lees' faith is and seems to have always been steadfast and enduring, She is absolutely the one to be walking with Rabbi Sobel. My eyes were opened and able to see how every ones' journey is different, and how important it is to listen to your heart when that feeling of need comes over you to look further for the answers to our spiritual questions and misunderstandings.
The more I read, the more I wished I could have been a part of the conversations and self-discoveries.
One of these days I might get to the Promised Land -where it all began.

I find that the book has some interesting points of view and makes some biblical passages easier to understand, but think the narrative could have been a bit more complete. Feels pretty general in many ways. However, it has peaked my interest in visiting the Holy land.

There wasn’t much I didn’t already know. Someone who hadn’t read the Bible or Josephus would probably enjoy it much more. It’s stories and facts were correct and when it’s opinion it’s stated. I appreciated that.

I enjoyed this book and it was interesting enough that I would like to book such a tour as spoken about here. There was nothing I could find controversy with, it is all truth. I didn't know the symbolism behind the shepherds and the sacrificial lambs they watched over and the significance of Jesus being born in the manger. I always thought it was a "humbling birth." Never too old to learn. Thank you to all Kathy, the Rabbi and Jesus.

Wow, be prepared to truly feel the Lord speak to you through this book. There were far too many times I had to put it down and simply pray and thank God for all he has done throughout the years for me. The book is a well well written historial background to what we know about the history of the Lord, the Bible and the land that we think is only modern day Israel but it was truly so much more. Be prepared to be overwhelmed and overcome by all the knowledge that is presented to you by Kathie Lee and the Rabbi.

A good book with great perspectives on Jesus and the physical places of the Bible. Created a desire to walk those places,while providing enough detail to not have missed out on ever being there. Of course, we have booked a visit and will bring our copy.

The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi: My Journey into the Heart of Scriptural Faith and the Land Where It All Began
This book grabbed my heart and mind from the introduction. Like a PBS travel show without the video, like the days of radio being "theater of the mind," each chapter takes you there to each of the historic Biblical locations Kathy Lee describes in vivid detail. Then Rabbi Jason takes the reader even deeper, like a time travel mystery novel unfolding the deeper connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament. If you are hungry to have more understanding of who God is, and a deeper, more meaningful connection to His love, mercy and grace, I highly recommend you read this amazing book. I couldn't put it down. Travel back in time to ancient Israel with Kathy Lee and Rabbi Jason.

This is a wonderful book! It's such a journey to follow, as well as a learning experience for yourself as you follow Kathy Lee on her trip to the Holy City. It's a remarkable tale and I'm so excited I bought it. It's one you could definitely read more than once and pass around.

This was exceptional Journey and A Dream Come True. While staying in various kibbutzs my husband and me travelled alone and experienced the beauty of the walk back in time. Kathy Lee's wonderfully written book brought back many fond moments.

I was very moved by this book! I feel I learned so much about Jewish history and the land of Israel and this insight helps to shed more light into what it means to be a Christian and to do God’s work. The personal testimonies at the end are fantastic!

An easy and enjoyable read. Kathie Lee has been able to take you on a journey through select Biblical stories in a way that provides a clearer understanding and meaning of familiar stories. You not only get a new view of Biblical teaching but the added geographic descriptions transport you into the setting itself. Excellent approach for those seeking a better appreciation.

Kathie Lee takes the reader on a tour of ancient Israel. She writes the book as an autobiography of her experiences on the tour and what she learned from it. I enjoyed that part of the book. Kathie Lee gives some great information, and I did learn a lot about ancient Israel. Some of the commentary by Rabbi Sobel were far-fetched theories with numerical meanings that reduced the authenticity of this book for me. In addition, this book is a bit of an advertisement for the tours in Israel called "The Rock and Road Experience". There are 15 pages of testimonies about the tour at the end of the book. You might want to skip those.

I enjoyed the way that the information was organized and presented. A combination of spiritual memoir and travel guide, reading this felt like a friend was telling me about her trips and personal study, sharing the Biblical insights into the many locations as presented by her tour guides. I found the geographical, historical, and cultural background information fascinating. It brings a new appreciation to much that I read in scripture.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy p0rovided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

Kathie Lee Gifford shares her experiences in visiting the Holy Land and the insights she has gained on these trips. Reading about Jesus in the context of the place He lived and died gave added perspective to Scripture. However, the book didn't live up to the hype that it will open the reader's eyes to Scripture like never before. Perhaps someone who has not done much Bible study will find that to be true, but a Christian who is involved in regular Bible study will probably learn some things but not find anything to make a significant impact.

Jews for Jesus is a missionary organization. It does not include all Messianic Jews. To put all Jewish believers in that category is incorrect and ignorant. That implies that all Jewish believers are out to prostalize and that is simply not the truth. Second of all this book has absolutely nothing to do with the Jews for Jesus organization and any review that implies that it does is invalid.

This book is awesome! I learned so much. I have to read it again. I couldn’t take it all in the first time.

After reading this book, I really want to go to the Holy Land. Bravo, Kathy Lee.d

I’m Jewish. This book is co-written by Rabbi Jason Sobel, a Messianic Jew. The term Messianic Jew is a more polite team for Jews for Jesus. To Jewish people, advocating Jesus as the Messiah is as offensive as Gun control is to Wayne LaPierre.

I understand that Mrs. Gifford is enthusiastic about her religious beliefs and would have been happy to read a book about her spiritual journey. Also, I know that Christianity is based in Judaism. Christians believe that since Christ is the Messiah, the Jews covenant with G-d is fulfilled; therefore, a new religion needed to be created. The fact that Judaism still exists is a problem for Christians.

The impetus for this book was a trip to Israel that Kathie Lee Gifford undertook. If you are a believer of one of the great monotheistic beliefs (Judaism, Christianity, or Islam), I strongly encourage you to visit for your self. It is a powerful experience to visit the places where the events in the Holy Texts actually happened. Although, it doesn’t come up until the epilogue, the book is essentially a commercial for Rabbi Sobel’s tours to Israel. While some commercialism in religion is necessary, that should not be the focus.

Personally, I cannot recommend this book. This book is misleading. The "rabbi" listed as a co-author is not a Rabbi. He is a Christian minister. Any individual who has received his ordination from a respected Jewish Seminary and believes in the Tananch, the Rabbinical commentaries i.e., Talmud and not the Christian testament can be called a Rabbi. I am not being disrespectful to either author and I expect total honesty and clarity.

If you are an admirer of Kathie Lee Gifford, you may enjoy this book. But I take issue with calling the coauthor a Rabbi as I tried to find his credentials and he doesn't appear to have any true rabbinic grounding.UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) does not appear to be a scholarly institution but is an organization. He may be a very intellectual person with solid character but I think it's a disservice to call someone a Rabbi without the stringent educational requirement.

I am writing this because I can't believe we can't see some preview of the material - no "look inside" - I am interested in reading this book, but I always read the allowed portion shared on the store. I am sort of wondering if this is the store's decision - or the author's? Truly, people need to be a to preview more than the chapters - but look at the writing - to buy it online. At a store, you look through the book you may purchase. So, I hope this is an error. It would be sad if some agreement had been made not to share preview of book with readers and then expect them to purchase the book. Hope I am wrong.

The use of the word Rabbi in the title is misleading. In fact, it's just wrong. Found it nearly impossible to stay interested in this book. Far too many anecdotal stories that seemingly never ended.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

What a thought provoking book! I enjoyed reading along as Kathie Lee and other taught about different stops on their tour of the Holy Land.

Some things were a reinforcement of teaching that I had previously learned but there were a few things that were new and unexpected!

The chapter that I enjoyed the most was discussing the birth of Jesus and the significance of his birth in a cave. I had no idea that the shepherds that we always read about were actually shepherds that raised the lambs for sacrifice, and that the caves these lambs were born in was the same as the perfect Lamb of God was born.

I enjoyed the personal comments from Kathie Lee and loved the chapter with her brother's teaching. The final part was a good way to encourage us to think about where we would throw our stone.

So many good things to say about this book that I couldn't fit it all in so I will just say that I think the book is well worth reading and will give you encouragement as well as prod you to move!

So Happy I read this book, Kathie Lees' faith is and seems to have always been steadfast and enduring, She is absolutely the one to be walking with Rabbi Sobel. My eyes were opened and able to see how every ones' journey is different, and how important it is to listen to your heart when that feeling of need comes over you to look further for the answers to our spiritual questions and misunderstandings.
The more I read, the more I wished I could have been a part of the conversations and self-discoveries.
One of these days I might get to the Promised Land -where it all began.

This book, without a doubt, has made the biggest impact on my faith and my spiritual journey in knowing Jesus better. It is also one of the best books I've read in a very long time!

Kathy Lee shares how the Lord called her to put Him first. This meant getting up even earlier than she usually did, which was early, since she does an early morning program on television. She was obedient to God's calling and shares the impact this has had in her life.

She also shares about her journey's to Israel and how these visits have impacted her faith in profound ways. She also shares about her husband, Frank, and how going to Israel made such a difference in his faith - from a religion to a relationship with Jesus. This story really touched my heart and I always love hearing stories of when people truly come to know Jesus.

More than these stories, however, are the teachings in this book! I had my highlighter out and my pen and made so many notes and highlights in this book - there's barely any paper showing through! I learned so much about the Word of God and it has given me such a hunger for His Word! It has given me a spark to my faith again and for that I am so thankful.

In my opinion, this is a must-read book for everyone! I cannot even convey how much this book has meant in my life for directing me into my Bible and into prayer time. I have been studying the Greek and Hebrew meanings of words because through Kathy Lee's book, I have come to understand how important it is to know the true meanings of each and everything.

This book will stay at hand for reading again and again because there is so much in this book, I just couldn't truly get everything out of it in the first reading. It is packed full of gem after gem of information not only from Kathy Lee but from her co-author, Rabbi Jason Sobel, I love this book and I think you will, too! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by BookLook Bloggers

In this book you will have the exciting opportunity to discover the truth of the Bible and learn what many passages in the Scriptures really mean. You will experience the Rock (Jesus), the Road (the Holy Land), and the Rabbi (the Word of God) as you have never experienced them before!
You will walk around various sites in Israel with Kathie Gifford, her late husband Frank, and their host Ray Van Der Laan, as they visit the Mount Of Olives (where thousands of Israelis have been buried waiting for the Messiah) to Masada, where Herod built a magnificent palace, and where a small group of courageous Israelis decided to commit suicide rather than be enslaved by the Romans!
You will have to open your heart and mind to understand how Easterners think, because the Western mind is totally opposite!
Think as you read... was Jesus really a carpenter and why did He wait until He was 30 to start His ministry?

Rabbi Jason and Kathie Lee are an unlikely pair to co-author a book! I imagine this unexpected match is what helps fuel the book. It is amazing to see two people from different backgrounds journey together to discover what it means to be fully connected to God and His Word.

This book is wonderful! It is filled with so many interesting facts about scripture and the Holy Land. It is an easy read and not boring at all. In fact, most of the information Kathie shares are often times funny and deeply moving at the same time. The part of each chapter where Rabbi Jason shares are tremendously helpful and inspiring. This book will move you to want to open your Bible and dig deeper into God's word. The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi is a book that has encouraged me in my faith. You will not be disappointed by reading this book. I received this book as part of Goodreads giveaway and the opinions expressed there are solely mine.

Kathie Lee's words will send you to the Holy Land. When reading I felt as if I were on a bus and she and Rabbi Jason were my tour guides. The biblical insight and depth of teaching are excellent. You will be enriched and encouraged by this book. I was given the hardcover and bought the audio book. Great in combination! Hearing her voice inflections as I listened and read brought yet another added dimension to the experience. Her passion comes through. I'm so glad she did the reading. Jason's audio portions were equally captivating. Get the book; you'll enjoy the journey.

It was the perfect format for a group of women from around the country whom I invited to join me in the study. Without a couple of days, 17 women joined my study group online. There were comments each day from some of the women detailing what they learned and how it touched them. They are looking forward to another study of this type in the future.

Through reading this book, I learned so much not only about the Holy Land, but my faith journey as well. I have always supported the Jewish nation, but now I realize the connection that I have with the Jewish people.

I really enjoyed reading this book; I have learned so much that I didn't know about how the scriptures in the Old and New Testament and especially the Jewish traditions are deeply tied together. This book really helped pull everything together for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to delve deeper into their faith.

I read this book on a beach vacation. I could easily read a chapter in a matter of a few minutes. Each chapter was thought provoking and informative without reading like a textbook. I felt like I was part of a journey to a new place ironically familiar emotionally and spiritually.

Interesting insights from Jewish perspective. Some chapters very short and could have included more thought. Enjoyed thoughts from Rabbi. we used book and workbook for bible study group. The workbook and video were very difficult to coordinate with chapters in book. Workbook could have been arranged better for study groups.

I've always wanted to visit the places and have some of the experiences described in this book. Kathie Lee Gifford has always been a wonderful example and promoter of faith, and this book puts an exclamation point on the message of the Savior that she has been sharing all her life. In this book she provides awesome insights into some of the most powerful events in the life of Jesus. And I loved the personal impressions shared by members of the group and included at the end of the book. Thank you dear sister in the faith!

Our Sunday School class used this as a study. It worked out wonderfully. Everyone found it fascinating, stimulating, and challenging at the same time. We now have a couple more classes who want to do it! Thank you for writing this one.