About the Book
Ever since the Creation of Adam and Eve, man has grappled with knowing whether life exists after death. Because humans achieve the possible, while God accomplishes the impossible, only the Creator knows our fate and destiny at the End of Days. Scientist Jerry Pollock weaves the story of an imperfect life on Earth with an imaginative account of being interviewed in Heaven to be the Messiah. The writing becomes a testament to Divine morality, and to finding truth and sincerity in one's heart.The protagonist in the Messiah Interviews faces a real dilemma. On the one hand, he must satisfy his biblical interviewers, the angel Gabriel, Methuselah, Chanoch, Seth, King David, Moses, Jacob, Abraham, and the prophet Isaiah, that he has the knowledge, wisdom, character traits, and leadership skills to be the Messiah. What he realizes, however, during the questioning is that he cannot do this, unless he reveals the absolute truth about his emotions and his shortcomings. As the tale unfolds, the challenges of the interviews goes beyond the protagonist and becomes relevant to the lives of each one of us.
The author's intention is to empower the reader to decide, if an additional personal spiritual effort is worth making in this life, in order to possibly gain entrance to an uncertain, futuristic Garden of Eden. The book offers a perspective on topics about God, the soul, good and evil, primal therapy, Bipolar Disorder, biblical history, religion, science, Evolution, Creation, God's Third Temple, and the future Messianic Age.
About the Author :
Jerry Pollock is the author of seventy-five scientific publications. His background includes both a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto, a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and Postdoctoral training in Microbiology at the New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Pollock is currently Professor Emeritus in the Oral Biology and Pathology Department in the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Jerry's first writer of the arts book, Divinely Inspired: Spiritual Awakening of a Soul, was a spiritual memoir published in 2003. This second fictional book, Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God, is Jerry's way of giving back to the Creator. Jerry is married to Marcia, his bashert or destined one. They reside in Florida.
Review :
"An electrifying not so fictional account of our inevitable progression to the Messianic Age and the building of the Third Temple at the End of Days." Chaim Clorfene, Author of the Messianic Temple"A fascinating Messianic journey. Gently challenges the soul to connect to a Higher purpose. Richly written and admirably candid." Israel Kleinberg, D.D.S.,Ph.D., Stony Brook University The Heavenly Beings that were questioning Yoseph were also interviewing other more perfect beings for the role of Messiah. Personally, I felt that the main character, Yoseph, in the book would be more qualified to lead us into the Messianic Age because of his imperfections and lessons that he experienced through his life. As I read Messiah Interviews I learned so much about biblical events and about my own spiritual beliefs. Previously, I had no knowledge about the Shechinah Third Temple, and limited knowledge of the Old Testament. It was also interesting for me to learn more about Jewish beliefs. I feel that my knowledge has greatly increased since reading this book, and I find myself interested in learning more. The author, Jerry J. Pollock, is a man of science. It was fascinating to see how he combined his scientific knowledge with his spiritual beliefs. This made him even more credible in my eyes. As Yoseph was interviewed, he teaches us through his answers. As I was contemplating his responses to some very in-depth questions, I found myself questioning what my own personal responses would be. I found this to be especially true when I read his answers regarding the Ten Commandments. I found the Messiah Interviews by Jerry J. Pollock, Ph.D., to be profoundly thought-provoking and feel that readers who are on their spiritual journey will truly benefit from having read this book. A Paige Lovitt, Reader Views (11/2008) I heartedly recommend my good friend, Jerry Pollock AZs Messiah Interviews. Although Jerry AZs expertise in secular science and psychoanalysis and my expertise in Chassidic Rabbinics does not necessarily allow us to share the same theological outlook in life, I so respect Jerry AZs quest for truth and his longing to see the Moshiach (Messiah); so much so that I sincerely hope the Messiah Interviews serves as an inspiration to all. A Lubavitch Rabbi Adam Stein, Chabad at Stony Brook University (12/2008) A unique and revealing book. I found the biographical events to be very interesting and revealing once I completely understood them. The interview form that the majority of the book is written in is definitely unique and creative. I enjoy the fact that the author tied true biographical events and self discovery into the process as it made for very interesting reading. Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God is recommended for those who enjoy books on religion, spirituality, and self-examination, intermixed with the element of fiction. A Kam Aures, RebeccasReads (9/2008) What lies in the future of humanity after it breathes its final breath? Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God is Jerry Pollock AZs spiritual journey of dealing with the uncertainty of what awaits him at the ultimate end of the road. Calling for readers to make their own choices, he offers his opinion on the matter and hopes to give food for thought when deciding. Messiah Interviews is a different sort of book on the afterlife, highly recommended. A Midwest Book Review (11/2008) A book that asks us to reflect on our values and make a positive contribution to the world. In the Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God, the main character, Yoseph readily confesses his limitations to his biblical interviewers A Dthe angel Gabriel, Methuselah, Chanoch, Seth, King David, Moses, Jacob, Abraham and the prophet IsaiahA Dmaking amends for past discretions. What follows is a poignant and engaging conversation that challenges readers to look honestly at their flaws, examine their assumptions, values and beliefs, and be guided by a Higher source. In telling the story, Pollock explores both his intellect and his heart. If this leads to personal growth and reflection, then the Messiah Interviews will have fulfilled its goal. A Miriam Leventhal, Feathered Quill Book Reviews (11/2008) There are no coincidences for people who possess qualities of faith and righteousness. Nor can there be random chance happenings for those whom G-d has chosen for special treatment, and, perhaps a special purpose, writes author, scientist and seeker Jerry Pollock. Thus the reader is challenged to ask, Could it be me? Do I qualify? Do I qualify as a good person in God AZs Eyes to be part of the Messianic Age? The author has spent his life giving back. His journey is shared with you, the reader of Messiah Interviews. It is this reviewer AZs opinion that if you are a seeker with time to read only one book, that book must be the Messiah Interviews. A Richard Fuller, Metaphysical Reviews (2/2009) Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God is a tour-de-force that asks its readers to look at their own religious beliefs, to question and reaffirm those beliefs, and to understand the history behind their religious faith. Christian readers will find themselves with a clearer understanding of Judaism and its role as the basis of Christianity. Questions of science and religion's compatibility are deftly explored. Pollock writes with humor, attention to detail and tradition, and above all, with reverence for the human spirit and its never-ending quest to understand God. Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God is the perfect gift for anyone seeking a deeper spiritual journey. A Irene Watson, Reader Views (12/2008) As we read Jerry J. Pollock AZs Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God, it becomes quite evident that this is undoubtedly a most remarkable tome, something with its unique creativity and profound thought that is poles apart from the multitude of books concerning spirituality and religion. Using the mechanism of interviews with an outstanding biblical interview team, Pollock embarks on an insightful self-analysis dealing with a multitude of truth-seeking questions. His dexterity in revealing his own character in small fragments as well as the interlacing of insightful reflection makes for a captivating read. Moreover, his elegant prose hits us with immense energy as we muse over the many questions that the protagonist, Yoseph, is called upon to answer. By the time, you AZre done reading this intelligent narrative, you may even believe the Messiah Interviews actually happened. A Norm Goldman, Book Pleasures (1/2009). Messiah Interviews is an interesting mix of fact and fiction. Science and biblical history are woven together with a healthy dose of make believe to create a world where the main character, Yoseph, has the opportunity to vie for the job of the Messiah but only if he makes it through his biblical interviews. Some of the best portions of Messiah Interviews comes from when Yoseph is between interviews and gets a chance to spend time with his wife, Marcia. Pollock AZs vivid details during these encounters are well done. The reader immediately feels transported to the time and place with them. The ending is superbly done and made it well worth the reading of the book. A Cheryl Malandrinos, The Book Connection Blog (1/2009) The will of God is mightier than any force on earth. There are no coincidences for people who possess qualities of faith and righteousness. No chance happenings for those whom God has chosen. Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God is a well-written, insightful book that will get you to stop and mediate on the things of God. Someone who has suffered horrifically has the potential through their suffering to look inside and understand human nature. These are the deep thinkers and the ones most likely to see beyond the (R)surface AZ of situations and uncover hidden truths. This job as earth AZs Messiah, the King of Israel would give closeness to the creator GodA Dunimagined and unparalleled. A Connie Harris, TCM Reviews (1/2009) Messiah Interviews is a story of fiction, just written in a way that (R)teaches and guides the reader, AZ rather than just telling a story. The author, Jerry Pollock, Ph.D., writes in a beautiful wayA Dhis words are prose upon paper. Messiah Interviews is a memorable and touching story. Readers are taken beyond the realm of the here and now and led to a place where they are enabled to search within themselves. This is a story that could easily be read and reread, with new things discovered with each reading. A April Pohren, CafA A| of Dreams Blog (1/2009) What an original concept for a book. After reading the Messiah Interviews, I learned a lot about Jewish history and Judaism AZs interpretation of the End of Days. The concepts were thought provoking. The biblical interviewers did not come off as fake but as true. They kept pushing Yoseph until they got him to see what they wanted him to see. I am looking forward to reading Jerry Pollock AZs first book, Divinely Inspired: Spiritual Awakening of a Soul. A Lissa Oehlberg, Reading Mama Blog (1/2009) To say this is an interesting read is an understatement. The questions posed by the biblical sages are extremely interesting as are the answers given by the main character. And as such, Messiah Interviews carries along nicely and entertains as well as instructs in biblical history and particulars of Torah. Is our hero the chosen Messiah once his spiritual mission on Earth finished? Or has Pollock too closely fused fiction with aspiration in his (R)not so fictional AZ novel. I ask the reader to be his own judge and set my lens aside. In any case, Messiah Interviews is an interesting read and well worth the time to ponder the questions it introduces and to answer its call for a closer relationship with God during our lifetime now. A Chris Querry, MyShelf Reviews (2/2009) Also by Jerry Pollock, Ph.D. Divinely Inspired: Spiritual Awakening of a Soul
