Judaism: branches and groups Books

Book SynopsisA provocative take on Jewish history, explaining the metamorphoses of mainstream Jewish culture and politicsTrade Review'Enzo Traverso is without doubt the most gifted historian of his generation. His book on Jewish modernity is, as all his writings, a unique combination of radical commitment and brilliant scholarship' -- Michael Löwy, Emeritus Research Director in Social Sciences at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Paris), and author of On Changing the World: Essays in Political Philosophy from Karl Marx to Walter Benjamin'Imaginative and provocative ... a nuanced and intelligent treatise' -- Benjamin Ramm, Jewish Quarterly'Stimulating' -- Times Literary Supplement'Exciting and delightful ... this slim volume manages to deliver a comprehensive statement which makes a significant contribution to the discourses of politics, postmodern theory and intellectual history' -- The Muslim World Book ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1. What Was Jewish Modernity? 2. Cosmopolitanism, Mobility and Diaspora 3. Intellectuals between Critique and Power 4. Between Two Epochs: Jewishness and Politics in Hannah Arendt 5. Metamorphoses: From Judeophobia to Islamophobia 6. Zionism: Return to the Ethnos 7. Memory: The Civil Religion of the Holocaust Conclusion Notes Index

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Book SynopsisFinalist for National Jewish Book Award for Scholarship 2022. Karaite Judaism emerged in the ninth century in the Islamic Middle East as an alternative to the rabbinic Judaism of the Jewish majority. Karaites reject the underlying assumption of rabbinic Judaism, namely, that Jewish practice is to be based on two divinely revealed Torahs, a written one, embodied in the Five Books of Moses, and an oral one, eventually written down in rabbinic literature. Karaites accept as authoritative only the Written Torah, as they understand it, and their form of Judaism therefore differs greatly from that of most Jews. Despite its permanent minority status, Karaism has been an integral part of the Jewish people continuously for twelve centuries. It has contributed greatly to Jewish cultural achievements, while providing a powerful intellectual challenge to the majority form of Judaism. This book is the first to present a comprehensive overview of the entire story of Karaite Judaism: its unclear origins; a Golden Age of Karaism in the Land of Israel; migrations through the centuries; Karaites in the Holocaust; unique Jewish religious practices, beliefs, and philosophy; biblical exegesis and literary accomplishments; polemics and historiography; and the present-day revival of the Karaite community in the State of Israel.Trade Review'An amazing book. Bravo Professor Lasker. I'm giving this book the highest review possible. The book accomplishes right what it sets out to do. [...] It is rare for a book to be written from a purely academic perspective, to have academic rigour, but also to be extremely sensitive to the Karaite position. [...] I can't imagine there's a better [book] out there right now.'Shawn, A Blue Thread'Lasker’s book offers an extremely well-researched introduction to the relatively unknown and un-researched branch of Jewish history that includes Karaite Jewry and its texts, commentaries and records, in the hope that it inspires readers to continue learning about the “oldest surviving alternative Judaism”.'Hadassah Faur, Jerusalem Post'The need for [Karaism], the first wide-ranging English-language introduction to the study of Karaite Judaism, is abundantly clear. In twelve concise and readable chapters, made admirably accessible to the nonspecialist, Daniel J. Lasker draws on a lifetime of research into what he calls an “alternative Judaism,”… Even though few can match the breadth of Lasker’s interest or productivity, one hopes that this volume stimulates a new generation of interest in Karaism.'Marc Herman, H-Judaic'A useful and informative handbook on a little-known but intriguing strain of Judaism.'Sara Jo Ben Zvi, Segula'Karaism is written for a general audience and does a wonderful job showing the Karaites’ development, history and attempts to stay vital in contemporary times. Anyone interested in the history of Judaism will find this work fascinating in its ability to show how contemporary assumptions about our religion do not always accurately reflect our history.'Rabbi Rachel Esserman, The Reporter'A lively introduction to general Karaism that spans from its origins to the present and persuasively argues for its vital relevance to Jewish studies as a whole ... Karaism is an academic work, but Lasker’s personal affection for the Karaite community community shines through.' Alan Verskin, Jewish Review of Books‘The presentation of Karaite doctrines and practices is based partly on an analysis of the religious literature and partly on the observation of contemporary communities. The chapters on Karaite theology, exegesis, and historiography provide a useful summary of classical Karaite literature and clearly show the evolution of doctrines from one author to another. In a tour de force of exposition the author successfully presents complex theological systems and disentangles an often obscure intellectual history in the form of clear, thorough, and reader-friendly explanations that are up to date on the most recent literature, of which this book is, in a sense, a synthesis.’ Translated from French: ‘L’exposé des dogmes et des pratiques karaïtes repose tant sur l’anayse de la littérature religieuse que sur l’observation des communautés actuelles. Les chapitres sur la théologie, l’exégèse et l’historiographie karaïtes résument utilement la littérature classique karaïte et montrent clairement l’évolution des doctrines d’un auteur à l’autre. Ces résumés réussissent le tour de force d’exposer des systèmes théologiques complexes et de démêler une histoire intellectuelle parfois obscure sous la forme de résumés clairs, exhaustifs, agréables à lire et à jour de la bibliographie récente, dont ce livre est, en quelque sorte, une synthèse.’ Peter Nahon, Revue des Études Juives‘As it stands, this work is the first, long-awaited, reliable scholarly compendium on Karaism addressed to wider readership, for which important achievement its author is to be praised and congratulated. It will be of value not only to anyone interested in Karaism but also to anyone involved in Jewish studies in general, and will serve brilliantly as an introductory course book in these fields.’ Marzena Zawanowska, AJS Review"Here is what I wanted to know about the Karaites: 1) their origin, 2) a summary of their practices and beliefs, and 3) where they are now. Daniel J. Lasker does this admirably in his book Karaism: An Introduction to the Oldest Surviving Alternative Judaism … and much more." Mitchell First, Jewish Link‘Lasker effectively synthesises and summarises a mass of material. His study is a welcome contribution to our knowledge of an intriguing chapter in Jewish history.’ John Moorhead, Journal of Religious History‘Here is what I wanted to know about the Karaites: 1) their origin, 2) a summary of their practices and beliefs, and 3) where they are now. Daniel J. Lasker does this admirably in his book “Karaism: An Introduction to the Oldest Surviving Alternative Judaism”… and much more.’ Mitchell First, Jewish LinkTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Karaite Origins2. The Golden Age in the Land of Israel3. In Byzantium and Beyond4. Eastern European Karaites5. The Return to Israel6. Karaite Law and Religious Practices7. Principles of Karaism8.Theology9. Exegesis10. Polemics and Historiography11. Language and Literature12. The Future of KaraismBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisA provocative take on Jewish history, explaining the metamorphoses of mainstream Jewish culture and politicsTrade Review'Enzo Traverso is without doubt the most gifted historian of his generation. His book on Jewish modernity is, as all his writings, a unique combination of radical commitment and brilliant scholarship' -- Michael Löwy, Emeritus Research Director in Social Sciences at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Paris), and author of On Changing the World: Essays in Political Philosophy from Karl Marx to Walter Benjamin'Imaginative and provocative ... a nuanced and intelligent treatise' -- Benjamin Ramm, Jewish Quarterly'Stimulating' -- Times Literary Supplement'Exciting and delightful ... this slim volume manages to deliver a comprehensive statement which makes a significant contribution to the discourses of politics, postmodern theory and intellectual history' -- The Muslim World Book ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1. What Was Jewish Modernity? 2. Cosmopolitanism, Mobility and Diaspora 3. Intellectuals between Critique and Power 4. Between Two Epochs: Jewishness and Politics in Hannah Arendt 5. Metamorphoses: From Judeophobia to Islamophobia 6. Zionism: Return to the Ethnos 7. Memory: The Civil Religion of the Holocaust Conclusion Notes Index

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Book SynopsisIn this unprecedented masterwork, The Scholar's Haggadah: Ashkenazic, Sephardic, and Oriental Versions, Heinrich Guggenheimer presents the first Haggadah to treat the texts of all Jewish groups on an equal footing and to use their divergences and concurrences as a key to the history of the text and an understanding of its development.

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Book SynopsisDraws upon comments made by Rashi throughout each of the Torah portions in the "Five Books of Moses". This book extracts the basic thoughts, ideas, and values of Judaism.Trade ReviewPinchas Doron does not really need my approbation, since the great scholars of this generation already approve of his holy work. I come merely to add my blessing that his thoughts may find wide acceptance and that the multitude should benefit from this. -- Rabbi Shmuel KamenetskyThe honorable author R. Pinchas Doron is a rare person and Torah scholar who expended great labors to interpret difficult passages in Rashi's commentary on the Chumash. He showed me examples of his supercommentary. He also has an approbation from the great Gaon, the Teacher of Israel, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Hence he surely does not need my approbation. I only come to strengthen his hands to publish his book for the benefit of those who learn Chumash with the commentary of the holy Rashi, that they should be scrupulous with every single of his words, so as to understand his profound meanings—for all Rashi's words are 'holy of holies' above. -- Rabbi Shimon Schwab

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Book Synopsis“Ruth Wisse’s intellectual autobiography is a lasting work of profound moral force and scathing political discernment.... Its illuminations are likely to be as urgent one hundred years hence as they are now.” —Cynthia Ozick A Jewish child born into the worst of times in Europe grows up during the best of times in North America—only to recognize that it could be moving back in the opposite direction.First came parents with the good sense to flee Europe in 1940 and the good fortune to reach the land of freedom. Their daughter, Ruth, grew up in the shadow of genocide—but in tandem with the birth of Israel, which remained her lodestar. She learned that although Jewishness is biologically transmitted, democracy is not, and both require intensive, intelligent transmission through education in each and every generation. They need adults with the confidence to teach their importance. Ruth tried to take on that challenge as dangers to freedom mounted and shifted sides on the political spectrum. At the high point of her teaching at Harvard University, she witnessed the unraveling of standards of honesty and truth until the academy she left was no longer the one she had entered.

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Book SynopsisIn this volume, Bible Studies scholar Yitzhak (Itzik) Peleg offers an educational, values-based approach to the cycle of Jewish holidays—festivals and holy days—as found in the Jewish calendar. These special days play a dual role: they reflect a sense of identity with, and belonging to, the Jewish people, while simultaneously shaping that identity and sense of belonging. The biblical command “And you shall tell your son” (Exodus 13:8) is meant to ensure that children will become familiar with the history of their people via the experience of celebrating the holidays. It is the author’s claim, however, that this command must be preceded by another educational command: “And you shall listen to your son and your daughter.” The book examines the various Jewish holidays and ways in which they are celebrated, while focusing on three general topics: identity, belonging, memory. Throughout the generations, observance of the holidays has developed and changed, from time to time and place to place. These changes have enabled generations of Jews, in their various communities, to define their own Jewish identity and sense of belonging. Trade Review“[T]his book caters to Jewish people of all backgrounds and different levels of observance. The book places a great emphasis on the fact that the common denominator that unites us as a Jewish people is our love of the Bible, our tradition, and the preservation of our rich heritage for generations to come. … Peleg conveys in his book that both integration and balance between tradition and renewal will make the Jewish holidays relevant to more and more Jews, both younger and older. By embracing and celebrating the holidays that have been passed down to us generation after generation, the book speaks of the connection between Jews among themselves, as well as that between Jews and their past.” — Joseph Scutts, The Jerusalem ReportTable of ContentsIntroduction Holidays as an Educational Tool throughout the Generations (Ledorotaichem): Examples Holidays as Tools for Shaping Jewish Identity Holidays as Building a Sense of Belonging to Our People Remembrance in the Holidays as Shaping Identity and a Sense of Belonging to the Jewish People The Memory of the Holocaust as Shaping Identity and Belonging Developments and Changes in the Holidays throughout the Generations and in How We Relate to Them Passover as a Reflection (Mise en Abyme) of the Jewish Holidays Lessons from Our Journey through the Jewish Calendar from a Child’s Overview Epilogue: How Should We Celebrate Independence Day? BibliographyIndex of the Jewish Holidays

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Book SynopsisThe Habad school of hasidism is distinguished today from other hasidic groups by its famous emphasis on outreach, on messianism, and on empowering women. Hasidism Beyond Modernity provides a critical, thematic study of the movement from its beginnings, showing how its unusual qualities evolved. Topics investigated include the theoretical underpinning of the outreach ethos; the turn towards women in the twentieth century; new attitudes to non-Jews; the role of the individual in the hasidic collective; spiritual contemplation in the context of modernity; the quest for inclusivism in the face of prevailing schismatic processes; messianism in both spiritual and political forms; and the direction of the movement after the passing of its seventh rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in 1994. Attention is given to many contrasts: pre-modern, modern, and postmodern conceptions of Judaism; the clash between maintaining an enclave and outreach models of Jewish society; particularist and universalist trends; and the subtle interplay of mystical faith and rationality. Some of the chapters are new; others, published in an earlier form, have been updated to take account of recent scholarship. This book presents an in-depth study of an intriguing movement which takes traditional hasidism beyond modernity. Trade Review'Chabad has become a global movement, powered by dedicated emissaries fuelled by a belief in the sacredness of their task and holy potential of every individual, whether Jew or Gentile. Dr Loewenthal masterfully links these ideals and the activism they inspire to their theological roots.'Dr Harris Bor, The Jewish Chronicle'Loewenthal has dug deep into the heart of Chabad’s philosophy... his work is destined to be more than another dusty tome read only by a select cohort of colleagues in his field. Throughout the book, he maintains his humanity, a personal voice that compromises neither his objectivity nor his convictions. The observations of the scholar are considered side-by-side with the insights of school girls. There is no more moving testament to the challenge and the resilience of a postmodern movement; the prior categories exploded, the either/or thinking rejected, while the nucleus—present since the inception—is retained.'Chana Silberstein, Lubavitch MagazineTable of ContentsIntroduction Part I. From the Ba’al Shem Tov to Modern Outreach 1. Hippy in the Mikveh: The Hasidic Ethos and the Schisms of Jewish Society 2. The Ba’al Shem Tov’s ‘Sacred Epistle’ and Contemporary Habad Outreach Part II. 3. The Hasid and the Other 4. Reason and Beyond Reason 5. Finding the Individual 6. Habad Contemplation in Context 7. Women and the Dialectic of Spirituality in Hasidism 8. From ‘Ladies’ Auxiliary’ To ‘Shluchos Network’: Women’s Activism in Twentieth-Century Habad 9. Habad Messianism: A Combination of Opposites 10. ‘From the Source of Raḥamim’: Graveside Prayer in Habad Hasidism 11. Habad, the Rebbe, and the Messiah in the Twenty-First Century Bibliography Index

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