Judaism Books

Book SynopsisChanging the Immutable focuses on how segments of Orthodox society have taken upon themselves to rewrite the past, by covering up and literally cutting out that which does not fit in with their contemporary world-view. For reasons ranging from theological considerations to internal religious politics to changing religious standards, such Jewish self-censorship abounds, and Marc Shapiro discusses examples from each category, In a number of cases the original text is shown alongside how it looked after it was censored, together with an explanation of what made the text problematic and how the issue was resolved. The author considers how some Orthodox historiography sees truth as entirely instrumental. Drawing on the words of leading rabbis, particularly from the haredi world, he shows that what is important is not historical truth, but a 'truth' that leads to observance and faith in the sages. He concludes with a discussion of the concept of truth in the Jewish tradition, and when this truth can be altered. Changing the Immutable also reflects on the paradox of a society that regards itself as traditional, but at the same time is uncomfortable with much of the inherited tradition and thus feels the need to create an idealized view of the past. It considers this practice in context, showing the precedents for this in Jewish history dating back to talmudic times. Since the subjects of censorship have included such figures as Maimonides, Bahya ibn Pakuda, Rashi, Naphtali Herz Wessely, Moses Mendelssohn, the Hatam Sofer, Samson Raphael Hirsch, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, A. I. Kook, and J. B. Soloveitchik, as well as issues such as Zionism, biblical interpretation, and attitudes to women and gentiles, Changing the Immutable also serves as a study in Jewish intellectual history and how the ideas of one era do not always find favour with future generations.Trade Review‘A thought-provoking if not provocative study . . . an invaluable addition to collections concerned with Jewish intellectual history.’Randall C. Belinfante, Association for Jewish Libraries Reviews‘Shapiro’s scholarship has been so important, in part because of Orthodoxy’s own success at covering up inconvenient aspects of its past.’Ezra Glinter, Forward (also published in Haaretz)‘Most impressive for its command of so many textual genres and overall breadth of knowledge. His examination of texts leaves no Judaica library's stack untouched . . . a welcome and substantial contribution to the anthropological study of contemporary Orthodox life . . . an essential work as historians continue to probe how Orthodox Judaism differed in specific epochs and locations.’Zef Eleff, H-Judaic‘An encyclopedic discussion of the complex evolutionary processes involved in creating and shaping Jewish tradition . . . The book is a cri de coeur, suggesting that truth should be a timeless commodity. Yet, the nook has another, larger meaning. It outlines how Jewish tradition, a highly decentralized and in a modest way, a plastic entity, is shaped and changed.’Susan M. Chambré, Jewish Book Council Reviews‘Another significant achievement for Professor Shapiro . . . a fascinating—and for Shapiro, typically exhaustive—presentation of literary, photographic, and political examples of self-censorship within the Orthodox world . . . his work is unique in that it offers a comprehensive, structured compilation of examples side-by-side with an evaluation of the underlying motivations . . . a fascinating and readable work, a touch polemical in places, yet a worthy addition to a modern Jewish library.’Harvey Belovski, Jewish ChronicleReviews ‘I can attest to the rigour and transparency of his scholarship. With his most recent work Changing the Immutable, he has once again rocked the Jewish community with his erudition and brilliant scholarship . . . [he] explores with impeccable details twentieth-century attempts by some parts of the ultra-Orthodox world to re-shape history to fit their own religious ideologies . . . a must read for all who want to understand how the current “slide to the right” is radically reforming Judaism to fit within the cacophonous landscape of contemporary values . . . Shapiro has given readers a snapshot for understanding the Orthodox world of today, allowing them to grapple with a problem that is long overdue and urgently needs to be addressed.’Shmuly Yanklowitz, Jewish Journal‘One of the most popular and controversial writers in the Modern Orthodox world today, most famous perhaps for publicizing little-known—and often radical—positions in Jewish law and thought.’ Elliott Resnick, Jewish Press‘Brilliant.’Mitchell Abidor, Jewish Currents‘Remarkably erudite . . . fascinating and remarkably learned.’ Allan Nadler, Jewish Review of Books‘I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book for years. Surely it is the most anticipated Jewish book of 2015 . . . It is chock-filled with examples, illustrations, and interesting ideas. There’s not an unnecessary word. It has the high quality that you would expect from American Judaism’s premier intellectual. I feel great joy in engaging with a work that stimulates both my love of Torah and my love of truth.’ Luke Ford‘Professor Shapiro is a precise, knowledgeable, and sometimes unconventional scholar. He attempts to demonstrate and to analyse how God-fearing writers and printers through the ages . . . “correct” texts or historical accounts so as to present them as they should have been rather than as they actually were . . . The bibliography and extensive indexes cover scores of pages. Professor Shapiro’s diligence has produced most interesting and praiseworthy results.’Hama'ayan‘The outstanding product of a master of rabbinic literature and an extraordinarily sharp-eyed and meticulous scholar. The book should be accessible to the widest possible readership, including traditionalists.'Adam Ferziger, Marginalia: Los Angeles Review of Books‘An impressive work of detailed and seminal scholarship . . . a major contribution to Judaic studies and is highly recommended to as a critically important addition to synagogue and academic reference collections and supplemental reading lists.’ Micah Andrew, Midwest Book Review‘Thorough, comprehensive, based on the painstaking examination and comparison of primary sources, Changing the Immutable is an impressive feat of scholarship.’Andrew Koss, Mosaic‘An outstanding work’Fred Reiss, San Diego Jewish World‘Fascinating . . . meticulous.’Jack Riemer, South Florida Jewish Journal‘Fascinating and well researched.’Ben Rothke, Times of IsraelM. Shapiro provides in the last chapter a remarkable glossary of well-known and less well known references that illustrate that serve as a base to a philosophical reflection yet to come. Jean-Pierre Rothschild, Revue des études juivesTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration 1 Introduction 2 Jewish Thought 3 Halakhah 4 Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch 5 Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook 6 Sexual Matters and More 7 Other Censored Matters 8 When Can One Lie? Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisMidrash is arguably the most ancient genre of Jewish literature, forming a voluminous body of scriptural exegesis over the course of centuries. There is hardly anything in the ancient rabbinic universe that was not taught through this medium. The diversity and development of that creative profusion are presented here in a new light. The contributors cover a broad range of texts, from late antiquity to the modern period and from all the centres of literary creativity, including non-rabbinic and non-Jewish literature, so that the full extent of the modes and transformations of Midrash can be fully appreciated. A comprehensive introduction situates Midrash in its historical and cultural setting, pointing to creative adaptations within the tradition and providing a sense of the variety of genres and applications discussed in the body of the book. Bringing together an impressive array of the leading names in the field, the volume is innovative in both its scope and content, seeking to open a new period in the study of Midrash and its creative role in the formation of culture. It should be of interest to all scholars of Jewish studies, as well as to a wider readership interested in the interrelationships between hermeneutics, culture, and creativity, and especially in the afterlife of a classical genre and its ability to inspire new creativity in many forms. Contributors: Philip Alexander, Sebastian Brock, Jacob Elbaum, Michael Fishbane, Robert Hayward, William Horbury, Sara Japhet, Ephraim Kanarfogel, Naftali Loewenthal, Ivan G. Marcus, Alison Salvesen, Marc Saperstein, Chava Turniansky, Piet van Boxel, Joanna Weinberg, Benjamin Williams, Elliot Wolfson, Eli Yassif.Trade Review'[Midrash Unbound] is, both in the field of Judaism but also in the various historical disciplines of religious studies and theology, indispensable.'Görge K. Hasselhoff, Brill Review 'Midrash Unbound is a significant and substantial contribution to the study of midrashic literature, method and process as manifested in diverse Jewish sources and select non-Jewish writings, from Late Antiquity to the Modern age. Fishbane and Weinberg have brought together an impressive array of scholars to explore the nature of Midrash in varied historical and geographical contexts, pointing out, as the aptly chosen title suggests, transformations and innovations in the development of the genre. [...] It is a volume that enriches and meaningfully extends discussion on how we can understand Midrash and its development in diverse literary forms and historical contexts.' Dr Helen Spurling, BAJS ReviewTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Introduction - Michael Fishbane and Joanna Weinberg Part I Origins and Subsurface Traditions 1 Midrash and the Meaning of Scripture - Michael Fishbane 2 The Hand upon the Lord’s Throne: Targumic and Midrashic Perceptions of Exodus 17: 14--16 - Robert Hayward 3 Unwashed Hands: A Midrashic Controversy in the Gospel of Matthew - Piet van Boxel 4 ‘Tradunt Hebraei . . .’ The Problem of the Function and Reception of Jewish Midrash in Jerome - Alison Salvesen 5 Midrash in Syriac - Sebastian Brock Part II Later Midrashic Forms 6 Piyut and Midrash: Between Poetic Invention and Rabbinic Convention - Michael Fishbane 7 The Mourners of Zion and the Suffering Messiah: Pesikta rabati 34---Structure, Theology, and Content - Philip Alexander 8 The Toledot jeshu as Midrash - William Horbury 9 Storytelling as Midrashic Discourse in the Middle Ages - Eli Yassif 10 Performative Midrash in the Memory of Ashkenazi Martyrs - Ivan G. Marcus Part III Medieval Transformations 11 Midrash in a Leixical Key: The Arukh of Nathan ben Yehiel - Joanna Weinberg 12 Rashi’s Choice: The {H.}umash Commentary as Rewritten Midrash - Ivan G. Marcus 13 The Pendulum of Exegetical Methodology: From the Peshat to the Derash and Back - Sara Japhet 14 Midrashic Texts and Methods in Tosafist Torah Commentaries - Ephraim Kanarfogel 15 Zoharic Literature and Midrashic Temporality - Elliot Wolfson Part IV Early Modern and Modern Traditions 16 The Ingathering of Midrash Rabbah - Benjamin Williams 17 Midrash in Medieval and Early Modern Sermons - Marc Saperstein 18 Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague and his Attitude to the Aggadah - Jacob Elbaum 19 The Destruction of the Temple: A Yiddish Booklet for the Ninth of Av - Jacob Elbaum and Chava Turniansky 20 Midrash in Habad Hasidism - Naftali Loewenthal Notes on Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisTraditional Jews encounter the prayer-book—the Siddur—more often in their daily lives than any other text, yet it is mysteriously absent from their otherwise nearly comprehensive curriculum of study. In addition, they tend to recite it mantrically, more for its sound than its meaning. The neglect of meaning is so complete that no edition of the prayer-book has yet appeared with a comprehensive range of commentaries. The present work, the first to examine this paradox, explains it as a reluctance to engage with the intellectual and emotional questions that lie just beneath the surface of the text. An analysis of the opening sequences of the daily ritual reveals that the prayer-book, far from representing one side of a deferential dialogue with an attentive deity, actually challenges God to allow access to the revelation on which human safety depends and to keep his side of the covenant. Confronting the chaotic unpredictability of the human condition, this undercurrent of protest allows Jews to question why God’s urgently needed intervention seems absent. Anger at this apparent absence is qualified only by gratitude at being alive. The core of this book consists of a novel examination of the opening sections of the traditional daily morning liturgy according to the Ashkenazi rite. The analysis is based on mostly untranslated medieval and later commentaries identifying the biblical and rabbinic echoes from which the liturgy is woven, and employs analytical methods of the kind traditionally applied to talmudic and midrashic texts. It shows how each citation and echo imports aspects of its original context into the new composition, forming a countertext to the words on the page. It examines each textual layer, as well as the surface meaning that is usually the only one to be noted, and relates these to the speaker’s actual location—home and later the synagogue—as well as to the time of day when the prayers are recited, as the worshipper faces the dangers of the day ahead. The resulting chorus of ideas—linking everyday life to the sacred narrative from creation to exile—demonstrates the philosophical sophistication of rabbinic spirituality in offering poetic insight into an ultimately tragic vision of reality.Trade Review'Breathtakingly original'- Cambridge Day Limmud Handbook'Schonfield presents pathways of curiosity and historical/poetical exegesis, as well as multilayered readings—which can raise the reader's thoughtfulness and delight in the traditional texts of our siddur . . . Readers of this book will appreciate the detail of Littman Library publications. There is full indexing by topic, as well as extensive indexing of biblical and rabbinic references. One who adds this beautiful work to a professional library will also appreciate the very heavy paper and quality binding that are not so very common these days. This is a serious and meaningful work, satisfying in its thoughtful and thorough text, and its physical realization that will stand as an admired reference.'- Robert Scherr, Conservative Judaism'A remarkable attempt to explain and analyse the morning prayers . . . provides the reader with a tremendous amount of interesting information . . . gives several interesting insights into developments in synagogues in Great Britain.'- Andreas Lehnardt, European Journal of Jewish Studies'The author with impressive scholarship draws on insights from many different traditions . . . there is no doubt that it adds a wholly new dimension to our sense of what Jewish prayer, and possibly every form of prayer, is about.'- Fred Morgan, Gesher'Schonfield asserts his undeniable right to be accepted into the first rank of Jewish liturgical scholars . . . no-one who completes this superb book will be able to look at a prayer book in the same way again.’- Charles Middleburgh, Jewish Chronicle'Challenges the customary devotional attitudes and behaviour of most Jews . . . should establish Jeremy Schonfield . . . as one of the most innovative and unsettling scholars in the world of Jewish studies . . . absorbing and intellectually exhilarating . . . [his] familiarity with Jewish sources is intimate, comprehensive, and meticulous. Not only are arguments penetrating, but his findings often jar with our preconceptions . . . The gains of this heady, bracing exploration of sources of the Jewish quotidian are manifest.'- Haim Chertok, Jewish Quarterly'His comments are rich in data, comprehensible and interesting for a broad readership, well written and cogently argued . . . The physical production of the volume is also impressive in many ways . . . readers will undoubtedly find here numerous insights into the traditional Jewish liturgy . . . we are here being treated not just to the views of a serious literary critic with a good knowledge of the scientific and historical study of Jewish liturgy but also to a very personal expression of devotion that is familial as well as ethnic . . . we are likely to learn much from the volume and to be deeply grateful to the author for carefully guiding us into what is often novel, and sometimes even exciting, territory.'- Stefan C. Reif, Journal of Jewish Studies'a captivating analysis . . . Whatever one makes of the author’s conclusions, the journey well repays the traveler. And for the regular shulgoer, reading Schonfield will ensure that the Siddur is never read cursorily again.'- Jeff Bogursky, Jewish Book CouncilTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration and Conventions Used in the Text Note on Extracts from the Liturgy List of Extracts Part I 1 The Incuriousness of the Jewish Worshipper 2 The Reticence of the Ideal Reader 3 The Liturgical Narrative: Modern and Traditional Views Part II Birkhot Hashahar 4 The Darkness of waking 5 The Bonds of Freedom 6 The Silence of Language 7 Buildinh in Babel 8 The Scattering 9 The Imagined Temple PESUKEI DEZIMRA 10 Hope in Words Part III 11 The Liturgical Argument Encapsulated 12 Other Versions, Other Readings Appendix: Photographs of Ritual Objects Used in Prayer Bibliography Index of Biblical and Rabbinic References Index of Subjects and Names

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Book SynopsisContinuing his contribution to medieval Jewish intellectual history, Haym Soloveitchik focuses here on the radical pietist movement of Ḥasidei Ashkenaz and its main literary work, Sefer Ḥasidim, and on the writings and personality of the Provençal commentator Ravad of Posquières. In both areas Soloveitchik challenges mainstream views to provide a new understanding of medieval Jewish thought. Some of the essays are revised and updated versions of work previously published and some are entirely new, but in all of them Soloveitchik challenges reigning views to provide a new understanding of medieval Jewish thought.The section on Sefer Ḥasidim brings together over half a century of Soloveitchik’s writings on German Pietism, many of which originally appeared in obscure publications, and adds two new essays. The first of these is a methodological study of how to read this challenging work and an exposition of what constitutes a valid historical inference, while the second reviews the validity of the sociological and anthropological inferences presented in contemporary historiography. In discussing Ravad’s oeuvre, Soloveitchik questions the widespread notion that Ravad’s chief accomplishment was his commentary on Maimonides’ Mishneh torah; his Talmud commentary, he claims, was of far greater importance and was his true masterpiece. He also adds a new study that focuses on the acrimony between Ravad, as the low-born genius of Posquières, and R. Zerahyah ha-Levi of Lunel, who belonged to the Jewish aristocracy of Languedoc, and considers the implications of that relationship.Trade Review'Like all of Professor Soloveitchik’s studies, the book is distinguished by the thoroughness of its scholarship and attention to even the smallest details... reading Professor Soloveitchik’s three volumes of magisterial essays will certainly engage and educate the reader, and one can only hope that we will merit to see a fourth volume in the not too distant future.'Alan Jotkowitz, Lehrhaus 'In presenting new perspectives on medieval Jewish thought, these collected essays further underline Soloveitchik’s well deserved reputation as an adept, learned and gifted intellectual historian. Highly recommended for all libraries.' David B Levy, Association of Jewish Libraries News and Reviews Table of ContentsPART I. SEFER ḤASIDIMSpecific Studies1. Three Themes in Sefer Ḥasidim2. On Dating Sefer Ḥasidim3. Piety, Pietism, and German Pietism: Sefer Ḥasidim I and the Influence of Ḥasidei Ashkenaz4. Pietists and Kibbitzers5. The Midrash, Sefer Ḥasidim, and the Changing Face of God6. Two Notes on the Commentary on the Torah of R. Yehudah he-Ḥasid7. Topics in the Ḥokhmat ha-NefeshMethodological Issues8. On Reading Sefer Ḥasidim9. Sefer Ḥasidim and the Social Sciences PART II. RAVAD AND PROVENÇAL STUDIES10. Rabad of Posquières: A Programmatic Essay11. The Literary Remains of the Gedol ha-Mefarshim: A Study in Personal Rivalry and the Repulsion of Opposites12. A Response to R. Buckwold's Critique of 'Rabad of Posquières', Part I13. A Response to R. Buckwold's Critique of 'Rabad of Posquières', Part II14. Jewish and Roman Law: A Study in Interaction15. The Riddle of Me'iri's Recent Popularity16. Printing and the History of Halakhah17. Angle of Deflection Bibliography of ManuscriptsSource AcknowledgementsIndex of NamesIndex of PlacesIndex of Subjects

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Book SynopsisMysticism, which transcends the boundaries of time and space and refers to a reality not grasped by means of ordinary human cognition, is one of the central sources of inspiration of religious thought. It is an attempt to decode the mystery of divine existence by penetrating to the depths of consciousness through language, memory, myth, and symbolism. Delving deep into the psyche, mystics strive to redeem perceived reality from its immediate meaning. Mystical texts constitute a history of this religious creativity, of man’s attempt to reveal the divine structure underlying the chaos of reality and thereby endow life with hope and purpose. By offering an alternative perspective on the world that gives expression to yearnings for freedom and change, mysticism engenders new modes of authority and leadership; as such it plays a decisive role in moulding religious and social history. For all these reasons, the mystical corpus deserves study and discussion in the framework of cultural criticism and research. This study is a lyrical exposition of the Jewish mystical phenomenon. It is based on a close reading of the hundreds of volumes written by Jewish mystics and incorporates mystical testimonies drawn from the different countries and cultural environments in which Jews have lived. Rachel Elior’s purpose is to present, as accurately as possible, the meanings of the mystical works as they were perceived by their creators and readers. At the same time, she contextualizes them within the boundaries of the religion, culture, language, and spiritual and historical circumstances in which the destiny of the Jewish people has evolved. The author succeeds in drawing the reader into a mystical world. With great intensity, she conveys the richness of the mystical experience in discovering the infinity of meaning embedded in the sacred text; teasing out the recurring themes, she explains the multivalent symbols. Using copious extracts from Jewish mystical sources, she illustrates the varieties of the mystical experience from antiquity to the twentieth century. She succeeds in eloquently conveying how mystics try to decipher reality by penetrating beyond its apparent boundaries: how they experience spiritual powers symbolically, imaginatively, or visually; how hidden truths are revealed in visions or dreams, in an epiphany or as ‘lightning’; how they are ‘engraved’ in the mind or illuminate in the soul. Most of the texts she draws on are written in very obscure language, but the skilful translations communicate the mystical experiences vividly and make it easy for the reader to understand how Elior uses them to explain the relationship between the revealed world and the hidden world and between the mystical world and the traditional religious world, with all the social and religious tensions this has caused. Trade Review‘Will greatly reward the non-specialist reader who is willing to put in some effort in order to receive a taste of this amazing Jewish literary tradition.’ Aaron Howard, Jewish Herald-Voice'A useful overview of Jewish mystical thought, overflowing with interesting insights.'James R. Davila, Journal of Jewish Studies'The book is extremely successful in delineating the existential meaning of the mystical phenomenon, and gives great insight into the popularity and attraction of this highly influential strand of Judaism.'TraditionTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration1 The Jewish Mystical Library and the New Vision of Reality2 The Infinity of Meaning Embedded in the Sacred Text3 The Mystical Figure: Life without Limits4 Mystical Language and Magical Language: 'Had I been using tongues of men and angels'Appendix: Historical and Literary Figures, Kabbalists, and Mystics Mentioned in Jewish Mystical LiteratureBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book offers the reader a voyage in the new world that opened up to the enlightened Jewish reader of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a time when the first glimmerings of emancipation and secular education were giving large numbers of Jews their first exposure to science, literature, and art, and opening their minds to new ideas. And as on any voyage led by a knowledgeable guide, there are fascinating side-trips along the way: insights into the world of scholarship, then and now, and into the nature of knowledge. All this was happening at a time when Jews’ civil status and place in society was undergoing great change in Europe. In this seminal work, Zeev Gries shows that although the history of the book in the Jewish world has long been regarded as the province of librarians and bibliophiles, it is in fact the history of the Jewish intellect. He starts by tracing the awakening of a dormant Jewish intelligentsia—men, women, and children who were thirsty for knowledge. Books were the magic kiss that opened new doors to the modern world; within a century, Jews were making invaluable contributions to the advancement of science and of culture more generally. By surveying the literary output of those years, the author is able to discover what books were being published, where they were published and distributed, and who was reading them. He surveys the fields of halakhic literature, ethical literature, kabbalistic and mystical literature, literature for children and women, and more general literature. He talks about the role of libraries and of book reviews. Above all, he considers the role of books as agents of culture: were they guardians of hallowed sanctity or harbingers of secularization? Gries shows how the types of books favoured by the Jewish reading public offer an insight into the changing nature of their ‘portable homeland’. He then goes on to discuss the Haskalah movement and the tensions between increasing secularization and the more traditional world-view, as well as how the resurrection of Hebrew as a secular literary language contributed to the awakening of Jewish nationalism. Nevertheless, he argues that the study of literary history of the period reveals that secular and Zionist leanings were not the only trends present; Jewish literature continued to be permeated with the spirit of religion.Table of ContentsNote on Transliteration Part I The Awakening of the Dormant Intelligentsia Introduction 1 Readers of Books and the Reading of Books 2 Halakhic Literature and High-Level Commentary 3 Ethical Literature in Hebrew and Yiddish 4 What Can be Learned from a Single Private Library and Something about Public Libraries 5 Kabbalistic Literature in General and its Appearance in Hasidism in Particular 6 Literature for Children and Women, or Literature Intended for Everyone? Part II The Book as Guardian of Sanctity or as Herald of Secularization 7 The New Hebrew Literature: Continuity or Revolution? 8 The Printing and Circulation of Jewish Books in the Nineteenth Century and the Identity of their Authors 9 Book Reviews in the Hebrew Press 10 A Bibliographer and Librarian as an Agent of Culture: The Contribution of Avraham Ya’ari to the Study of Jewish Printing in Eastern Europe Appendix ‘The Young Avraham Ya’ari’ by S. H. Bergman BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThroughout history the image of the non-Jew in Judaism has profoundly influenced the way in which Jews interact with non-Jews. It has also shaped the understanding that Jews have of their own identity, as it determines just what distinguishes them from the non-Jews around them. A crucial element in this is the concept of Noahide law, understood by the ancient rabbis and subsequent Jewish thinkers as incumbent upon all humankind, unlike the full 613 divine commandments of the Torah, which are incumbent on Jews alone. The approach adopted in this now classic study is to consider the history of the idea of Noahide law, and to show how the concept is relevant to practical discussions of the halakhah pertaining to non-Jews and to relations between Jews and non-Jews. The seven chapters that make up the first part of the study examine each of the Noahide laws in turn, with a view to showing their halakhic development in the rabbinic sources, in the codes, and in the responsa literature. The discussion draws primarily on classical texts by traditional commentators as they attempt to deal with living issues from the rabbinic world as equally vital concerns in their own time. The second part deals with the theory of Noahide law, concluding with a consideration of why it is an appropriate starting point for Jewish philosophy today.Trade ReviewFROM REVIEWS OF THE FIRST EDITION'The depth and breadth of this book's treatment of its subject are its great strengths. It is much more sophisticated in both method and content than any other single volume on the subject.' Journal of Religion 'A goldmine of information and philosophical reflection ... a book of major importance.' Jewish Law Association 'The absolute best and most complete book I have found [on righteous gentiles] is Novak's ... it gives the most detailed explanation and digs really deep.'- www.torahforum.org'Any reader interested in understanding how the non-Jew has been perceived throughout Jewish history should certainly turn to The Image of the Non-Jew in Judaism for an authoritative discussion . . . scholarly . . . provides insight, not only into the classical Jewish perceptions of non-Jews and their place in the world, but also into Jewish–Christian and Jewish–Muslim relations and a more sophisticated understanding of Jewish law vis-à-vis the Gentile.' David Tesler, AJL Reviews'Novak demonstrates an intimate acquaintance with Jewish law and philosophy in this work of impressive scholarship. Little changed from the first edition, this second edition includes helpful chapter summaries and a lucid afterword by Matthew LaGrone . . . Novak's account of the myriad ways that Jewish texts and thinkers have thought about "Others"—especially Christians and Muslims—provides historical and philosophical context for contemporary discussions of topics ranging from human rights to interreligious dialogue. Recommended.' S. Gowler, ChoiceTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Chapter Summaries by MATTHEW LAGRONE 1 The Origins of the Noahide Laws 2 The Law of Adjudication 3 The Law of Blasphemy 4 The Law of Idolatry 5 The Law of Homicide 6 The Law of Sexual Relations 7 The Law of Robbery 8 The Law of the Torn Limb 9 Aggadic Speculation 10 Maimonides’ Theory of Noahide Law 11 Albo’s Theory of Noahide Law 12 Late Medieval Developments 13 Moses Mendelssohn and his School 14 Hermann Cohen and the Jewish Neo-Kantians 15 Conclusion Afterword by MATTHEW LAGRONE List of Abbreviations Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisNational Jewish Book Awards Finalist for the Nahum N. Sarna Memorial Award for Scholarship, 2018.Hasidism, a movement of religious awakening and social reform, originated in the mid-eighteenth century. After two and a half centuries of crisis, upheaval, and renewal, it remains a vibrant way of life and a compelling aspect of Jewish experience. This book explores the profound intellectual and religious issues that the hasidic masters raised in their Torah commentary, and brings to the fore the living qualities of their sermons (derashot). Ora Wiskind-Elper addresses a spectrum of topics: creation, revelation, and redemption; hermeneutics, epistemology, psychology, Romanticism, poetry and poetics, art history, Hebrew fiction, cultural history, and tropes of Jewish suffering and hope. Fully engaged in the texts and their spirituality, she brings them to bear on postmodernist challenges to traditional spiritual and religious sensibilities. This is a comprehensive study, unique in pedagogy, clarity, and originality. It uses the full range of critical scholarship on hasidism as a social and ideological movement. At the same time, it maintains a strong focus on hasidic Torah commentary as a conveyor of theology and value. Each of its chapters presents a fundamentally new approach. Wiskind-Elper’s translations are in themselves an innovative moment in the tradition and spiritual history of the passages she offers.Trade ReviewReviews 'Hasidism, for Ora Wiskind-Elper, is the crucible into which the whole world flows: creation, revelation, redemption; hermeneutics, epistemology, Freudian psychology, Romanticism, poetry and poetics, autobiography (which she calls “self-perception”), art history, Hebrew fiction, social history, the challenge of modernity, and the major catastrophes that befell the Jewish people in the twentieth century. In order to produce this definitive, synoptic work on Hasidic Torah commentary, she has mastered the entire corpus of critical scholarship; the different schools of Hasidic thought from master to disciple; the relevant methodologies of reading and interpretation; and last but not least, a social-historical guide to the early and later masters and their disciples, down to the present day. Hasidic Commentary on the Torah is magisterial; unique in its scope, pedagogy, clarity and original insight.' David G. Roskies Sol & Evelyn Henkind Professor of Yiddish Literature and Culture Jewish Theological Seminary, New York‘Ora Wiskind-Elper’s ability to utilize the fullest range of academic scholarship on Hasidism as a cultural and religious movement, in all its diversity is exemplary, and always done with the stronger focus on the role and dynamics of the Hasidic derashah. . . . [her] choice of thematics – from the self-conception of the masters, to their hermeneutics and use of language and tradition, and including the role of historical or social factors to condition the thematics, is not only superb, but brings to the forefront the living qualities of these spiritual sermons, and demonstrates the powerful hermeneutics at play . . . we get an excellent survey of issues . . . one is brought to a new level of comprehension and also spiritual-hermeneutical insight.'Michael Fishbane, Nathan Cummings Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish Studies, University of ChicagoTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Introduction 1. Dimensions of Collective Self-Understanding Beginnings Receiving, Revealing ‘When Your Wellsprings Will Flow Forth’ To Create New Worlds with Words ‘They Made Their Souls Anew’ To See and to be Seen ‘Well said, Moses!’ 2. Modes of Reading Metaphors We Live By A Parable in Wait Imagining the World The Essence of Being Human Bread-Eaters and Dreamers Know Me in Translation Conclusions So Far How to Teach, How to Learn To Know or Not to Know Finding the Words The Secret of Exile The Secret of Redemption Summing Up 3. Responses to a Shifting Landscape Introduction The Space in the Middle ‘For the Times They are A-Changin’ ’ Reason for Hope The Inward Turn Modernity and Its Discontents ‘God is in the Detail’ Prophets of the Past, Prophets of the Future Deep Blue Sky and Yellow Stars Song of Dust and Ashes Postscript Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTraditional Jewish religious belief speaks of a divinely revealed, perfect text, authoritatively expounded. The question this book addresses is one with which the author has struggled all his life: in the light of historical criticism, advances in knowledge, and changing moral attitudes, is the traditional notion of divine revelation and authoritative interpretation still valid? The focus is on Judaism and the examples are mostly drawn from that tradition, but the arguments are easy to transpose to other religions. Norman Solomon's discussion will appeal to those who seek to identify with a religious community but who are troubled by the claim of divine authority made for the scriptures of that community. Ranging across several academic disciplines, it is addressed to people of all religions who find their heads and their hearts are not in accord with each other. It is accessible to a general readership interested in the relationship of scripture, interpretation, and religious authority, though scholars will find original observations and historical interpretations in many areas. It should find a ready place in university and popular programmes in Jewish studies, general theology, and philosophy of religion.Trade ReviewReviews 'Solomon intends that his book appeal to both popular and academic readership, a task he rather successfully fulfils. His literary style is characterized by the art of brevity . . . Footnotes are concise and not burdened with endless bibliographic citations. For the interested reader, references throughout the book lead to further reading . . . Theologians will benefit from a plentitude of thought-provoking critique and insight. It is for these reasons that I recommend the book . . . interesting and successful in giving a broad historical perspective as well as provoking thought.' Dan Baras, Academia.edu'An excellent resource for researching Jewish intellectual discussion about the Bible.' Zvi Grumet, Bookjed'A courageous new book . . . has an impressive range, from scholarship about biblical times to twenty-first century theology and almost all periods in between . . . despite all the detail in the book, it is very readable and comprehensible even for the beginner. It should be required reading for any modern woman or man who thinks seriously about Jewish theology in general and the question of Torah from heaven in particular.'Martin Lockshin, Canadian Jewish News'An important book for anyone grappling with traditional Judaism . . . stands with Marc Shapiro's The Limits of Orthodox Theology as a seminal work that delves into the richness of our heritage to show that there is more than one way of looking at core religious ideas . . . This book gives us a history of the issues and how different thinkers over the centuries have dealt with the challenges of the Torah. It is a major contribution.' Jeremy Rosen's blog'Judicious and erudite.' Lawrence Grossman, Jerusalem Post'A scholarly book, it is not written in a difficult style. And for a hardback of this print quality, it is a bargain. On one level, it is an invaluable source book on what he calls the “central doctrine” of Judaism.' Simon Rocker, Jewish Chronicle'In this refreshingly fair, sophisticated, and engaging analysis of the doctrine of Torah from Heaven (the Jewish belief in the inerrancy and divinity of scripture), Solomon surveys the history of Jewish biblical interpretation, and concludes that every prior conception of this doctrine is lacking in either intellectual honesty or in its capacity to foster religious conviction. [He] concludes that the only religiously meaningful and intellectually coherent conception of this notion is that of myth . . . can be read by members of any religion whose faith in scripture is challenged by modern archaeological, literary, and scientific evidence . . . The book is sorely needed in Orthodox circles; it should be required reading for all Jewish seminary students, and is highly recommended for any religious individual seeking to establish intellectually stable grounds for belief in the sanctity of scripture.' Daniel Goodman, Religious Studies ReviewTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Introduction Orientation Orientation Where I Come From - The Seduction of ‘True Belief’ - What Does It All Mean? - Philosophical Beginnings - Facing the Questions - Pulpit and Prejudice - Interfaith Dialogue - Academic Detachment? Part I Revelation Torah from Heaven: Growth of a Tradition 1 Holy Books What is ‘Torah’? - The ‘Sacred Canon’ - Why the Five Books are Special - Philo on Moses and the Ancestral Books - Conclusion 2 Two Torahs? Scripture and the Rabbis Divine Revelation: The Story - Mythic accounts of Torah - The Written Torah and the Oral Torah - Rules of Interpretation - Interpretation Against the Plain Meaning - Conclusion 3 Mystics and Kabbalists Pythagoras, Numerology, and the Book of Creation - Mystical Significance of the Mitzvot - Prophets after the Bible - Nahmanides (Ramban) the Mystic - Conclusion 4 The Great Chain of Being: Philosophers and Kabbalists Platonists and Aristotelians - The Ascent of the Soul - The Descent and the ‘Shells’ - Reasons for the Mitzvot - Conclusion 5 Maimonides: The ‘Classical’ Position Revelation as History - The Oral Torah - Torah and Dogma - Conclusion: Maimonides the Minimalist 6 Oral Torah: What Does It Contain? Does the Torah Teach Science? - The Torah of Kabbalists and Rationalists - Conclusion Summary of Part I Part II Attack The Counter-Tradition: Hard Questions 7 The Counter-Tradition The Alexandrians - Sadducees and Pharisees - Pagan Philosophical Critiques - Gnosticism - Later Developments - Conclusion 8 The Original Torah How Texts Were Written - Evidence of the Scrolls and the Ancient Versions - The Severus Scroll - Can the Original Text be Recovered? - The Masoretes - Rabbinic Responses to Textual Variation - Modern Editions of the Bible - Conclusion 9 Contradictions, Moral Problems, Factual Errors The Reconciling Hermeneutic - Interpreting Aggadah - Historical and Archaeological Problems - Moral Issues - Scientific Inaccuracy - Fantasy, Arbitrariness, Superstition - Conclusion 10 The Rise of Historical Criticism The Beginnings of Biblical Criticism - Deists and Sceptics - The Bible as Literature - From History to Myth - Source Theory - Archaeology - Higher Criticism = Higher Antisemitism? - Conclusion Summary of Part II Part III Defenders of the Faith Repairing the Breach: In Defence of Tradition 11 Defenders of the Faith What Must Be Defended - Ancient Wisdom Restored: The Renaissance - Jewish Bible Commentary Rekindled - Conclusion 12 The Transformation of Judaism: Interpretation, Interpretation, Interpretation Elijah, the ‘Vilna Gaon’ (1720–1799) - Moses Mendelssohn (1729–1786) - Torah— Mystical Code, or Source of Values? 13 Mendelssohn’s Influence I. S. Reggio (1784–1855) - S. D. Luzzatto (1800–1865) - Heinrich Graetz (1817–1891) - Umberto Cassuto (1883–1951) 14 Independents Jacob Zevi Mecklenburg (1785–1865) - Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808–1888) - Meir Loeb ben Yehiel Michael Malbim (1809–1879) 15 In the Steps of the Gaon: Written and Oral Torah Are One N. Z. Y. Berlin (1816–1893) - Meir Simha Ha-Kohen of Dvinsk (1843–1926) - Barukh Ha-Levi Epstein (1860–1942) 16 Hoffman and German Orthodoxy David Hoffman (1843–1921) - Hayyim Hirschenson (1857–1935) - Benno Jacob (1862–1945) and A. S. Yahuda (1877–1951) - Isaac Breuer (1883–1946) - Yehiel Jacob Weinberg (1885–1966) - J. H. Hertz (1872–1946) Summary of Part III Part IV New Foundations Torah from Heaven: The Reconstruction of Belief 17 Non-Orthodox Reconstructions Moses Mendelssohn (1729–86): Revealed Legislation - S. L. Steinheim (1789–1866): Empiricist of Revelation - Samuel Holdheim (1806–1860) - Progressive Revelation: Krochmal, Formstecher, Hirsch, Cohen - Leo Baeck (1873–1956) - Martin Buber (1878–1965) - Franz Rosenzweig (1886–1929) - A. J. Heschel (1907–1972) - Emmanuel Levinas (1905/6-1995) - Review 18 Joseph Dov Soloveitchik and the a priori Torah The Hermeneutics of ‘Torah’ - Historical Criticism - The Oral Torah Problem - Conclusion 19 Feminist Critiques The Sinai Covenant - Language and Gender - Images of God - Equality before the Law - The Need for Change 20 Four Defences of Traditional Belief Halivni: The Maculate Torah - Jacobs: Liberal Supernaturalism - Kellner: Rejection of the Dogmatic Approach - Ross: Cumulative Revelation - Strengths of the Four Approaches 21 Divided by a Common Scripture The Reform Torah - The Orthodox Torah - The Conservative Torah - Go Compare Denominations Summary of Part IV Part V Torah from Heaven 22 Options Justifications - The Community: Costs and Benefits of Belief - The Individual: Costs and Benefits of Belief 23 What Is Truth? What Is Truth? - Excursus: Consistency and ‘Double Truth’ - In What Sense Is ‘Torah from Heaven’ True? - On ‘Narrative Theology’ - Conclusion. ‘Torah from Heaven’: A Myth of Origin 24 Myth of Origin: Opportunities and Dangers What ‘Torah from Heaven’ May Signify - History and Myth Do Not Conflict - ‘Torah from Heaven’: Uses and Abuses - Benefits of Understanding ‘Torah from Heaven’ as Mythos Rather than Logos - Dangers from Understanding ‘Torah from Heaven’ as Logos Rather than Mythos - Things That Worry People 25 Demography versus Reason: The Future of Jewish Religion Does Reason Matter? - ‘Authentic Judaism’ - Survival of the Fittest - Conclusion 26 Confronting Change A Meditation at the Mountains of Fire (January 2004) - Coming to Terms with Modernity - Intellectual Violence - Who Decides? - What I Have Dealt With - What I Have Not Dealt With Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis Many books on Maimonides have been written and still more will appear. Few present Maimonides, as Menachem Kellner does against the actual religious background that informed his many innovative and influential choices. He not only analyses the thought of the great religious thinker but contextualizes it in terms of the ‘proto-kabbalistic’ Judaism that preceded him. Kellner shows how the Judaism that Maimonides knew had come to conceptualize the world as an enchanted universe, governed by occult affinities. He shows why Maimonides rejected this and how he went about doing it. Kellner argues that Maimonides’ attempted reformation failed, the clearest proof of that being the success of the kabbalistic counter-reformation which his writings provoked. Kellner shows how Maimonides rethought Judaism in different ways. It is in highlighting this and identifying Maimonides as a religious reformer that this book makes its key contribution. Maimonides created a new Judaism, ‘disenchanted’, depersonalized, and challenging; a religion that is at the same time elitist and universalist. Kellner’s analysis also shows the deep configuration of Judaism in a new light. If, as Moshe Idel says in his Foreword, Maimonides was able to ‘reform so many aspects of rabbinic Judaism single-handedly, to enrich it by importing such dramatically different concepts, it shows that the profound structures of this religion are flexible enough to allow the emergence and success of astonishing reforms. The fact that, great as Maimonides was, he did not overcome the traditional forms of proto-kabbalism shows that the dynamic of religion is much more complex than subscribing to authorities, however widely accepted.’Trade Review'One of the most important books on Maimonides to be published in the last thirty years and quite possibly one of the most important in the field of Jewish philosophy. The writing is clear and crisp, and the scholarship is impeccable. The book explains not just how radical Mamonides's dissatisfactions with the Judaism of his day was, but how radical his opinions are for most Jews today.'Kenneth Seeskind, AJS Review 'Impressive... lucid... that rare scholarly study that manages not to compromise on academic rigour while daring to state strongly-held convictions that are so relevant in times troubled by the many irrational "surges" of political, military, and religious fundamentalism.'Allan Nadler, Forward 'Kellner has contributed a study of great value not only for an academic audience but for lay and yeshivish audiences as well. The book is a welcome addition to the samizdats currently circulating within the underground yeshiva counter-culture.'James A. Diamond, Meorot 'A spirited, highly stimulating works that reads fluently and fully engages not only with the mind but also the reader's Jewish soul.'Haim Chertok, Midstream 'Interesting and important... extremely valuable in the way that it roots both Maimonides' legal code and his philosophy in the thought-world and social and religious practices of his own time, and dramatizes the ways in which some of his most characteristic formulations function as critical responses to what prevailed in his own culture and environment.'Aryeh Botwinick, Philosophy East & West 'One of those rare combinations of erudite scholarship and accessible style, treating an issue that is not only perennially meaningful, but also particularly salient today-features that characterize a number of his works... Throughout the book, Kellner devises a series of easy-to-follow dualities to structure his argument... many books have been written about Maimonides. What Menachem Kellner's book does uniquely is to isolate the ways in which Maimonides bumps against the mystical and mythical strains that run through ancient and medieval Jewish thought like a river. While any educated Jew knows that Maimonides stands out as a leading rationalist, Kellner presents us with a compelling portrait of the multi-faceted ways in which Maimonides expunges these mystical and mythical veins from the Jewish mine.'Joel Hecker, The Reconstructionist 'Kellner has refocused Maimonidean studies in a new way. In addition, he has done so in a very learned manner: his footnotes cover a vast area of Jewish scholarship; his summaries of scholarship are very concise; and his bibliography is very full... a very important book. It formulates clearly and comprehensively the hyperrationalist reading of Maimonides which is widely held by scholars of Jewish philosophy. It also offers a new proposal on the subject of the opponents against whom Maimonides wrote. Kellner's erudition has made this so, and his willingness to engage the present and the future has projected the issue beyond medieval philosophy.'David R. Blumenthal, Reviews in Religion & Theology 'The strengths of this book lie in its didactic and ideological clarity... For those interested in the medieval roots of a major dispute within modern Orthodox Judaism this is an extremely useful book packed with detailed examples of contentious topics.'Michael Fagenblat, Speculum 'A thought-provoking study that deals with rather more than its title suggests.'Jeremy Adler, Times Literary Supplement 'Perhaps no author in the last couple of decades has made Maimonides' theology more relevant for contemporary Orthodox dialogue than Menachem Kellner. His works on dogma, belief, rabbinic authority, and other central topics have generated significant debate and even his biggest detractors acknowledge the substantive and stimulating nature of his work... This is an extremely thought-provoking work that deserves serious attention, debate, and discussion.'Tradition Online'Intellectual tour de force... On the one hand, Kellner, in a work of objective scholarship, insightfully decodes what he takes to be two opposing religions that have contended for recognition as the Orthodox expression of Judaism from ancient to modern times. On the other hand, Kellner, as an engaged modern Orthodox thinker who has a stake in this conflict, applies wide learning, critical skills, and expansive control of traditional Jewish sources, intellectual history, and analytic philosophical tools in a sustained argument... Menachem Kellner’s study of Maimonides and the mystics will endure not because it explicates an antiquarian medieval debate; his study talks to moderns who struggle with ideas and ideals, who are both intellectually modern and Jewishly religious.'Alan J. Yuter, Review of Rabbinic Judaism'This is one of the most important books on Maimonides to be published in the last thirty years and quite possibly one of the most important in the field of Jewish philosophy. The writing is clear and crisp, and the scholarship is impeccable.'Israel Book ReviewTable of ContentsForeword by Moshe IdelPrefaceAcknowledgementsNote on Transliteration and Conventions Used in the Text1 Maimonides' Critique of the Jewish Culture of His DayIntroduction * The Judaism Maimonides Opposed * The Philospphical Basis of Maimonides' Opposition * Esotericism and Elitism * Maimonides' Failure * Elements of Proto-Kabbalah * Maimonides' Opposition to the World of Proto-Kabbalah * Excursus: Terminology2 The Institutional Character of HalakhahIntroduction * Two Opposing Views * Maimonides' View * Maimonides' Motivation * Mistakes and Errors in Halakhah / Science / Dogma * Error in 'Science' * Halakhah as Instrumental * Halakhah and Theology * God and Abraham: Who Chose Whom?3 HolinessIntroduction * A Glance at the Biblical Evidence * Maimonides on the Nature of Holiness in General * Holy Persons * The People of Israel * The Sanctity of the Land of Israel and of Jerusalem * Holy Things: Torah, Tefilin, Mezuzot * Holy Times4 Ritual Purity and ImpurityIntroduction: Two Ancient Views on Ritual Purity and Impurity * Judah Halevi on Ritual Purity and Impurity * Maimonides on Ritual Purity and Impurity * Maimonides on the Sacrifical Cult and the Laws of Ritual Purity and Impurity * Maimonides on the Moral Significance of the Laws of Ritual Purity and Impurity * Critiques of Maimonides' Account of the Sacrifices5 The Hebrew LanguageIntroduction * Judah Halevi on the Hebrew Language * Maimonides on the Hebrew Language * Why Did Maimonides Adopt His Position? * Nahmanides' Critique6 Kavod, Shekhinah, and Created LightIntroduction * Shekhinah, Kavod, and Created Light in Rabbinic Texts * Sa'adiah Gaon * Judah Halevi * Maimonides on Kavod in the Guide of the Perplexed * Maimonides on Shekhinah in the Guide of the Perplexed * Maimonides on Created Light in the Guide of the Perplexed * Shekhinah and Kavod in Mishneh torah and Commentary on the Mishnah7 Jews and Non-JewsIntroduction * Theory of the Acquired Intellect * Jews and Non-Jews * Digression: Which of the Thirteen Principles Must Actually Be Accepted to Achieve a Share in the World to Come? * Who is an 'Israelite'? * Wise Non-Jews and the World to Come * Was Maimonides Truly Universalist?8 AngelsIntroduction * Angels in Rabbinic Thought * Angels in Piyutim * Angels in Heikhalot Literature * Sa'adiah Gaon and Judah Halevi on Angels * Maimonides on AngelsAfterword: Contemporary Resistance to the Maimonidean ReformGlossaryIndex of Citations from Moses Maimonides and Judah HaleviBibliographyGeneral Index

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Book SynopsisThe Bible itself calls the Jewish people ‘a company of nations’, suggesting that difference within Judaism is not a new phenomenon. It has continued throughout Jewish history, and this volume investigates how and why such difference has been tolerated. Drawing on examples from different geographical areas and from ancient times to the present, the contributors consider why Jews sometimes attempt to impose constraints on other Jews or relate to them as if they were not Jews at all, but at other times recognize differences of practice and belief and develop ways of handling them. In doing so, they provide an insight into a history of Judaism as a complex web of interactions between groups of Jews despite grounds for mutual antagonism. Substantial introductory chapters lay out the issues and provide an extensive survey of cases of toleration throughout the past two thousand years, outlining possible structural reasons for it. The eight chapters that follow each take a specific case of toleration within Judaism, attempting to explain it in light of the models outlined in the Introduction. Presented in chronological order, the cases have been selected to reflect a spectrum of responses, from grudging forbearance to enthusiastic welcome of difference. Covering both practice and theology, each case is presented in depth, with full documentation. The Conclusion provides an overview of the patterns of tolerance that have emerged and discusses the implications for writing the history of Judaism as a narrative more complex than either the tracing of a linear progression from the Bible to the present, with variations presented as deviations, or as a model of overlapping ‘Judaisms’. This innovative volume sheds light on an important and overlooked aspect of the history of Judaism and should have broad appeal, not only for students and scholars of Judaism but for students of religious studies more generally.Trade Review'This well written and excellent book is recommended.' - David B. Levy, Association of Jewish Libraries ReviewsTable of ContentsPreface Note on Transliteration 1 Introduction: The Study of Toleration2 Toleration within Judaism from the Second Temple to the Present 3 Sadduccees and Pharisees in the Temple Martin Goodman 4 The Houses of Hillel and Shammai in the Mishnah Martin Goodman 5 The Notion of Tolerable Error from the Mishnah to Maimonides Joseph E. David 6 Talmudic Controversies in Post-Talmudic Eyes Joseph E. David 7 Toleration in the Ghetto of Venice: Evidence from Leon Modena's Historia de' riti Hebraici Simon Levis Sullam 8 Prescribing Toleration in the Paris Sanhedrin (1806–1807) Simon Levis Sullam 9 Islets of Toleration among the Jews of Curaçao Corinna R. Kaiser 10 Sitting on Fences: The Toleration of Compromise and Mixed Seating in Orthodox Synagogues in the USA Corinna R. Kaiser 11 Conclusion: Causes of Toleration Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisNational Jewish Book Awards 2019 Finalist for Visual Arts. Richly illustrated and meticulously documented, this is the first comprehensive survey of synagogue textiles to be available in English. Bracha Yaniv, a leading expert in the field of Jewish ceremonial textiles, records their evolution from ancient times to the present. The volume contains a systematic consideration of the mantle, the wrapper, the Torah scroll binder, and the Torah ark curtain and valance, and considers the cultural factors that inspired the evolution of these different items and their motifs. Fabrics, techniques, and modes of production are described in detail; the inscriptions marking the circumstances of donation are similarly subjected to close analysis. Fully annotated plates demonstrate the richness of the styles and traditions in use in different parts of the Jewish diaspora, drawing attention to regional customs. Throughout, emphasis is placed on presenting and explaining all relevant aspects of the Jewish cultural heritage. The concluding section contains transcriptions, translations, and annotations of some 180 inscriptions recording the circumstances in which items were donated, providing a valuable survey of customs of dedication. Together with the comprehensive bibliography, inventory lists, and other relevant documentation, this volume will be an invaluable reference work for the scholarly community, museum curators, and others interested in the Jewish cultural heritage.Trade Review‘Bracha Yaniv has assembled a thorough documentation of ceremonial synagogue textile from every possible perspective in this beautifully illustrated book… It showcases the depth of knowledge of a research of an author who has been studying and writing about these subjects for many years. The amply illustrated text reflects her long-time, exhaustive work with Jewish textiles. It will surely be of use to students of the subject as a reference as well as lovers of historic synagogue textiles.’ Annette B. Fromm, Women in Judaism‘Bracha Yaniv’s monograph on synagogal textiles, originally published in Hebrew in 2009, and translated here by Yohai Goell, is the first English-language publication to investigate this somewhat under-explored aspect of material culture. The book’s importance is self-evident, and it should become essential reading for students and scholars of Judaica, and religious textiles in general.’ Nikolaos Vryzidis, Textile HistoryTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration, Names, Dates, and Other Conventions Used in the Text Part I Ceremonial Synagogue Textiles 1. The Evolution of Synagogue Textiles in Ancient and Medieval TimesA. Wrapping and Storing the Torah ScrollThe Mapah (Wrapper)The Tik (Case)The Tevah (Chest)The Holy Ark (Heikhal, or Aron kodesh)B. The Evolution of the WrappingsThe WrapperThe BinderThe MantleC. The Parokhet (Curtain for the Ark)D. The Cover for the Reading Desk 2. Fabrics and TechniquesA. Luxury FabricsThe History of Silk Production and Trade in EuropeJews in International CommerceB. Embroidered ObjectsEmbroidery by Women DonorsProfessional EmbroideryC. PassementerieD. Professional Training, Organization, and ProductionTrainingOrganizationProductionE. Jewish Law and Tradition in Production 3. The Torah Wrapper and the Torah BinderA. The Wrapper in Italy and the Sephardi DiasporaB. The Binder: Terminology, Customs, and DesignLinen and Silk Binders Embroidered by Female DonorsBinders Made from Random Materials 4. The Torah MantleA. Terminology, Design, and IconographyB. Mantles in Italy and the Portuguese Congregations of Western EuropeItalyThe Portuguese Diaspora in the Netherlands and EnglandC. Mantles in the Sephardi DiasporaMoroccoAlgeriaAnatolia and the BalkansD. Ashkenazi Mantles across Europe 5. The Torah Ark Curtain and ValanceA. Parokhot Made from Luxurious Embroidered or Patterned FabricsB. Parokhot Displaying Jewish MotifsThe Gateway to Heaven MotifMotifs Inspired by the Ark of the CovenantThe Motif of the Temple and its Vessels on Parokhot and KaporotThe Giving of the Torah Motif on ParokhotOther Motifs and Later Developments in the Tradition Epilogue Part II Annotated Plates of Representative Textile Objects in the SynagogueA. ItalyB. The Portuguese Congregations in Western EuropeC. MoroccoD. AlgeriaE. Sephardi Synagogues in the Ottoman Empire and the BalkansF. Ashkenazi CommunitiesG. Central EuropeH. Eastern Europe Part III Dedication of Ceremonial Objects A. Inscriptions as a Reflection of Customs of DedicationThe Content of the DedicationThe Circumstances of the DedicationDedication of Ceremonial ObjectsB. Annotated Corpus of Dedicatory InscriptionsTorah Wrappers (Mapot)Torah Binders (Mapot; Italian colloquial term, fascia)Torah MantlesItaly and the NetherlandsNorth AfricaAnatolia and the BalkansCentral EuropeEastern EuropeTorah Ark Curtains (Parokhot) and Valances (Kaporot)ItalyAnatolia and the BalkansCentral Europe and the NetherlandsEastern Europe AppendicesA. Inventory ListsB. Documents Relating to TextilesC. Miscellaneous Inventories Glossary Bibliography List of Figures List of Museums, Libraries, and Collections Index of Places Index of People Index of Subjects

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Book SynopsisIt is commonly asserted that Maimonides' famous Thirteen Principles are the last word in Orthodox Jewish theology. This is a very popular notion, and is often repeated by scholars from all camps in Judaism. Yet such a position ignores the long history of Jewish theology in which Maimonides' Principles have been subject to great dispute. The book begins with a discussion of the significance of the Principles and illustrates how they assumed such a central place in traditional Judaism. Each principle is then considered in turn: the reasons underlying Maimonides' formulations are expounded and the disputes that have arisen concerning them are discussed in detail. Marc B. Shapiro's authoritative analysis makes it quite clear that the notion that Maimonides' Principles are the last word in traditional Jewish theology is a misconception, and that even Maimonides himself was not fully convinced of every aspect of his formulations. Although structured around Maimonides' Principles, this book can also be seen as an encyclopedia of traditional Jewish thought concerning the central issues of Jewish theology. The diversity of opinion in Jewish tradition on such issues as God, Creation, and the Revelation of the Torah is sure to surprise readers.Trade Review'Inspiring and breath-taking ... highly recommended.'- Yisrael Dubitsky, Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter'Marc Shapiro puts an explicit contemporary context on this remarkable collection of sources that disagreed with one part or other of Maimonides' Thirteen Principles ... By showing the extent to which past authors disagreed with those Principles, Shapiro seeks to debunk assertions by contemporary writers that place those Principles at the core of Orthodox belief ... the work is astonishing in its rage. Shapiro uses his daunting biographical abilities and his considerable skill as a writer to present his material-well-known and obscure-cogently and entertainingly. To the reader interested in the limits of the theological imagination of Jews, it is not likely to be soon rivalled.'- Gidon Rothstein, AJS Review'A courageous and meticulously research book that straddles two worlds-that of abstract scholarship and of practical religious vision ... The real tour de force of the book is the enormous amount of material he musters to make his case.'- Bradley Shavit Artson, Conservative Judaism'Combines remarkable erudition with clarity of vision.'- Menachem Kellner, Edah Journal'His research is exhaustive, almost encyclopedic, and it is highly convincing ... his aim is truly constructive and his tone is passionately concerned.'- Erin Leib, Jerusalem Report 'This exhaustive yet readable study ... is astonishingly well researched ... a polemical work of considerable erudition, which will find a broad audience.'- Harvey Belovski, Jewish Chronicle'Ground-breaking ... As Shapiro so clearly demonstrates in this landmark work, the need is not only for theological discussions, but for theology.' - Miriam Shaviv, Jewish Quarterly'Shapiro's book is doubly remarkable: it is at the same time a commentary on Maimonides' Thirteen Principles, and a successful summary of the central themes of Jewish theology, offering deep insight into what the blurb calls traditional Jewish thought".'- Stefan Schreiner, Judaica'Articulate and thought-provoking ... This book is no less important on social than on scholarly grounds. Shapiro presents his stance with great passion, giving readers the sense that he is involved in a truth spreading mission. His passion appears to me justified and legitimate, since abstract theology is indeed an essential element in the shaping of current Orthodox society, particularly in Israel but also outside it. In sum: this book provides scholars with a justification for a view that most of them had already sensed and accepted and opens up to a broader intellectual public a path to understanding Jewish philosophy.'- Dov Schwartz, Review of Rabbinic JudaismTable of ContentsPreface 1 Introduction 2 The Existence and Unity of God 3 The Incorporeality of God 4 Creation Ex Nihilo 5 Only God is to be Worshipped 6 Prophecy and the Significance of Moses 7 Revelation of the Torah 8 Eternity of the Torah 9 God’s Knowledge, Reward and Punishment 10 The Messiah, Resurrection of the Dead Conclusion Appendix Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisMaimonides ends each book of his legal code the Mishneh torah with a moral or philosophical reflection, in which he lifts his eyes, as it were, from purely halakhic concerns and surveys broader horizons. Menachem Kellner and David Gillis analyse these concluding paragraphs, examining their verbal and thematic echoes, their adaptation of rabbinic sources, and the way in which they coordinate with the Mishneh torah’s underlying structures, in order to understand how they might influence our interpretation of the code as a whole—and indeed our view of Maimonides himself and his philosophy. Taking this unusual cross-section of the work, Kellner and Gillis conclude that the Mishneh torah presents not only a system of law, but also a system of universal values. They show how Maimonides fashions Jewish law and ritual as a programme for attaining ethical and intellectual ends that are accessible to all human beings, who are created equally in the image of God.Many reject the presentation of Maimonides as a universalist. The Mishneh torah especially is widely seen as a particularist sanctuary. This study shows how profoundly that view must be revised.Trade ReviewReviews'Kellner and Gillis have written an impressive book that enables readers to enter more deeply into Rambam’s religious worldview. At a time when Rambam is subject to so much misrepresentation and misunderstanding, it is heartening to read a book that seeks to present Rambam’s teachings in a clear, genuine and convincing manner.'Rabbi Marc D. Angel, Jewish Ideas'This book belongs in the hands of anyone who teaches the philosophic halakhah of Maimonides, anyone who teaches topics such as slavery, ethics, or messianism in Maimonidean philosophic law. This book should be a valuable part of the essential library of the High School rabbi or pulpit rabbi looking to give a universalist defense of Judaism. The authors of this book have a sharp eye and acute ear for parallels between passages and echoes to discussions elsewhere in the text. As a literary reading of Maimonides the book is without equal.'Alan Brill, Kavvanah'The book most reads easily, making it accessible to readers not intimately acquainted with Mishneh Torah. And the book’s extensive cross-references to Rambam’s other works a are source of delight to scholars of Maimonidean studies.'Eugene Korn, H-Judaic'By treating these sermonettes to an in-depth study, the authors reveal how they can enhance our understanding of the MT itself and of Maimonides’ philosophical outlook. [...] Kellner and Gillis demonstrate that the reflective endings of MT reveal his understanding of Judaism as an ever-expanding intellectual horizon upon which halakhah was the means not the end in itself. Highly recommended for all libraries.'David B Levy, Association of Jewish Libraries News and Reviews 'This is a valuable book that takes its place among other important recent works of Maimonidean scholarship. A special treat awaits readers as well—namely, the appendix devoted to Maimonides’s cosmic paradigm complete with a helpful illustration of the intellects and the spheres.'Marc B. Shapiro, The Journal of Religion'Offers an inclusive and ethical vision of spiritual life ... Kellner and Gillis also provide fresh, incisive and detailed readings that integrate all of Maimonides’ works and provide the most extensive translations of his messianic writings.' Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl, Canadian Jewish News‘The book’s central thesis is convincing and well argued: that the codas to each book of the Mishneh Torah present a focus of vision that is moral and universal in nature… Maimonides the Universalist offers a provocative and intriguing invitation and guide to that masterwork, highlighting themes of universal resonance and significance.’ Diana Lobel, SpeculumTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Introduction1. Knowledge: To Know Is To Love2. Love: Abraham, Moses, and the Meaning of Circumcision3. Seasons: Hanukah and Purim Reconfigured4. Women: Marital and Universal Peace5. Holiness: Commandments as Instruments6. Asseverations: Social Responsibility and Sanctifying God's Name7. Agriculture: Sanctifying All Human Beings8. Temple Service: The Divinity of the Commandments9. Offerings: The Morality of the Commandments10. Ritual Purity: Intellectual and Moral Purity11. Damages: Who Is a Jew?12. Acquisition: Slavery versus Universal Humanity13. Civil Laws: God of Aristotle in the God of Abraham14. Judges: Messianic Universalism ConclusionAppendix: Maimonides' Cosmic ParadigmBibliographyIndex of CitationsIndex of Subjects

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Book SynopsisTo this day, the commentaries on the Bible and Talmud written by the eleventh-century scholar known as Rashi remain unsurpassed. His influence on Jewish thinking was, and still is, significant. His commentary on the Pentateuch was the first Hebrew book to be printed, giving rise to hundreds of supercommentaries. Christian scholars, too, have relied heavily on his explanations of biblical texts. In this volume Avraham Grossman presents a masterly survey of the social and cultural background to Rashi’s work and pulls together the strands of information available on his life, his personality, his reputation during his lifetime, and his influence as a teacher. He discusses each of his main commentaries in turn, including such aspects as his sources, his interpretative method, his innovations, and his style and language. Attention is also given to his halakhic monographs, responsa, and liturgical poems. Despite Rashi’s importance as a scholar and the vast literature published about him, two central questions remain essentially unanswered: what was Rashi’s world-view, and was he a conservative or a revolutionary? Professor Grossman considers these points at length, and his in-depth analysis of Rashi’s world-view—particularly his understanding of Jewish uniqueness, Jewish values, and Jewish society—leads to conclusions that are likely to stimulate much debate.Trade ReviewReviews ‘Grossman draws heavily from the current Israeli scholarship on Rashi, including his own scholarly works, to present a well-rounded picture of Rashi. It is a work of synthesis; explicating clearly more arcane studies. Gross is a very good teacher, making his arguments clearly and using examples which clarify his own even further. He is especially helpful to explain Rashi’s relationship with the midrashic literature whether in the commentary of the Torah or elsewhere. Recommended for libraries with comprehensive undergraduate programmes and any synagogue library.’ Roger S. Kohn, Association for Jewish Libraries Reviews‘The leading authority of his generation in this field.’ Marc Saperstein, European Judaism‘Avraham Grossman, one of the world's foremost scholars of medieval Judaica . . . reads some famous texts very closely in an attempt to make Rashi come to life for twenty-first century readers . . . a tour de force . . . Grossman’s book, just like the works of Rashi, can be read with profit and enjoyment by both scholars and amateurs.’ Martin Lockshin, H-Judaic‘Arguably the most learned scholar today writing about the life and works of Rashi . . admirable book . . . the scholarly achievements of Avraham Grossman, to which this book attests on every page.’ Ivan G. Marcus, Jewish Review of Books‘The current volume is largely based on Grossman’s earlier and very extensive work, but he has succeeded not only in abbreviating it for present purposes but also in updating various aspects of his impressive scholarship. The result is a volume that will undoubtedly become the standard work in English, for use as much (perhaps, in truth, even more) by scholars as by non-specialists. There is little here that Grossman has not covered . . . his contribution to the topic goes far beyond the thorough and well-sourced provision of sound data and careful assessment. He is also able to offer fresh insights into Rashi the man, the scholar, the rabbi, and the teacher . .. splendid.’ Stefan C. Reif, Journal of Jewish Studies‘An amazing volume that gives the reader a thorough understanding of who Rashi was through his many writings... Grossman’s book is an impressive one... very readable, accessible, and fascinating.’ Ben Rothke, Times of IsraelTable of ContentsTranslator’s Note Note on Transliteration 1 The Social and Cultural Background of Rashi’s Work The Jews’ Political, Economic, and Social Status • The Troyes Community and the Jewish Centre in Champagne • The Twelfth-Century Renaissance • The Jews’ Social Ties to their Surroundings • Jewish--Christian Religious Polemics 2 Rashi: A Biographical Sketch Rashi’s Life • Character Traits • Standing and Fame 3 Rashi’s Beit Midrash Growth of the Beit Midrash • ‘The Great Rabbi’ • Library and Sources 4 Literary Works: Commentary on the Torah The Text of Rashi’s Commentary on the Torah • Rashi’s Interpretative Method • Rashi’s Profound Affection for Midrash • General Characteristics of the Commentary 5 Literary Works: Commentaries on the Prophets and the Writings (Nakh) Language, Grammar, and References to Daily Life • Style of the Commentaries • General Characteristics of the Commentaries 6 Literary Works: Commentary on the Talmud For Whom Did Rashi Write his Commentary on the Talmud? • Extent of the Commentary • Interpretative Characteristics • Connections with Other Interpretative Traditions • Versions and Editions of the Commentary • Changes and Contradictions • Halakhic Rulings in Rashi’s Commentary on the Talmud 7 Literary Works: Rulings, Responsa, Liturgical Poems, and Commentaries on Liturgical Poems Rulings • Responsa • Liturgical Poems • Commentaries on Liturgical Poems 8 Rashi’s World-View: The Uniqueness of the Jewish People Methodological Introduction • The Election of Israel • The Land of Israel • Miracles • Exile and Redemption • The Nations of the World 9 Rashi’s World-View: Values Torah and Torah Study • Reasons for the Commandments • Prayer • Truth and Humility • Human Dignity • Peace and Factionalism 10 Rashi’s World-View: Society Scholars • Community Leaders • Forced and Voluntary Converts from Judaism • The Status of Women and their Place in Society and the Family 11 Postscript: Between Innovation and Conservatism Innovation and Mission • How Did Rashi Attain his Historic Status? Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSomething crucial and quite unprecedented happened to kabbalah in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Though it had previously been considered a highly secretive and esoteric tradition, its practitioners began to spread its doctrines throughout the Jewish world with missionary zeal. Their goal was ambitious: no less than the remodelling of the religious and ethical attitudes of the entire Jewish population, a reformation of Judaism. Few aspects of Jewish life and religious practice were not changed as a result of the spread of kabbalah. These innovations originated mainly in the city of Safed in Galilee. They were introduced by kabbalistic adepts, but would not have gained broad acceptance if they had not made sense to people in terms of their everyday lives. The kabbalistic corpus that emerged should thus be interpreted not just as the elaboration of a secretive literary tradition, but as a response to the needs of Jewish society in its manifest historical context. In addition, Roni Weinstein argues, these kabbalistic innovations were partly a response to changes in the Catholic world-view, revealing an intimate link with Counter-Reformation Catholicism that is explored here for the first time. The religious and political changes taking place in contemporary Ottoman settings also contributed to these changes. The effect of these developments on Jewish culture was nothing short of revolutionary, deeply affecting people’s lives at the time and also laying the foundations for change in future generations. Yet they were not presented as revolutionary: the early modern kabbalists understood that they would only succeed in spreading their message if they presented their doctrines as the natural continuation of what went before. Weinstein’s sociological reading of mystical texts encompasses a number of methodological innovations, including the need to consider the impact of the non-Jewish environment in the fashioning of Jewish texts. He sees the emergence of ‘Jewish modernity’ as the result of developments that were intrinsically Jewish rather than as a response to outside influences during the Enlightenment; controversially, he therefore places its origins in the Mediterranean world of the late sixteenth century rather than in eighteenth-century Berlin. His argument is based on a wide range of Jewish sources—including theological tracts, kabbalistic and ethical literature, hagiographies, mystical diaries, halakhic rulings and responsa, and community and confraternal regulations—as well as the testimonies non-Jewish travellers, and Catholic religious literature. This stimulating new reading of the development of kabbalistic texts and practices opens a new chapter in the understanding of Jewish modernity. The Hebrew edition of this book was awarded the Goren-Gottstein Prize for the Best Book in Jewish Thought 2010–2012.Trade ReviewReviews 'A significant, provocative contribution to the literature.' S.T. Katz, Choice'A truly impressive impressive of original and seminal scholarship . . . extraordinarily informative, exceptionally well-written, organized, and presented, making it unreservedly recommended for both academia as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.' Midwest Book Review‘Roni Weinstein challenges the common assumption that the kabbalistic world-view owes its popularity to its theological and metaphysical content. Rather, he argues, the social context of kabbalistic thought is at least as significant. Weinstein has written an exciting and groundbreaking book which raises important new questions. If he is correct, his book is a landmark breakthrough.’ From the citation for the Goren-Gottstein Prize for the Best Book in Jewish Thought 2010–2012‘Weinstein brings a totally fresh approach to the subject . . . his understanding of kabbalistic texts as a window into the cultural, social, and psychological realities of the beginning of the modern period . . . enables them to be perceived, for the first time, in the wider context of early modern Mediterranean society . . . From this perspective, the kabbalistic texts developed in Safed are not so much the continuation of an earlier tradition but a response to the process of modernization that dominated the period in a way that changed every reality. . . . Weinstein’s explanation of why it was that kabbalah developed in the time and place that it did is convincing . . . Overflowing with original ideas, his work offers a breakthrough that can be considered revolutionary. His connecting the development of kabbalah to the development of modernity makes this a very modern book. . . . eminently readable because it contextualizes palpable human concerns within the broad intellectual panorama of the times rather than limiting itself to the confines of “kabbalah studies” or “Jewish thought”.’ Jonathan Garb Zion'This book is essential for understanding early modern Jewish religious thought and would be a valuable addendum for studies on the broader impact of early modern movements in Christianity. The English is polished and no previous knowledge of kabbalah is necessary for full comprehension. The concise text is rich in content and stimulating in its broad outlook. This study is not only a useful tool for crosscultural comparisons but it itself is a model for such a study. It could only be written by a person who has mastery both in early modern history and in early modern thought both Jewish and general. Luckily, the author meets these requirements and the result is a model monograph.' Shaul Stampfer, Religious Studies ReviewTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Introduction: A Social Historian Looks at Early Modern Kabbalah 1 A New God: The Theological Innovation 2 Like Giants on the Shoulders of Dwarfs: The Rise of the Jewish Saint 3 Religious Confraternities 4 ‘From my body I shall envision God’: The Body and Sexuality 5 Sin and Repentance: The Jewish Confession 6 Another God. Catholic Tradition in Safed Kabbalah: The Sephardi--Conversos Link 7 Summary: Kabbalah of Safed and Modernity Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn the postmodern, relativist world-view with its refutation of a single, objective, and ultimate truth, it has become difficult if not impossible to argue in favour of one’s own beliefs as preferable to those of others. Miriam Feldmann Kaye’s pioneering study is one of the first English-language books to address Jewish theology from a postmodern perspective, probing the question of how Jewish theology has the potential to survive the postmodern onslaught that some see as heralding the collapse of religion. Basing her arguments on both philosophical and theological scholarship, Feldmann Kaye shows how postmodernism might actually be a resource for rejuvenating religion.Her response to the conception of theology and postmodernism as competing systems of thought is based on a close critical study of Rav Shagar (Shimon Gershon Rosenberg) and Tamar Ross. Rather than advocating postmodern ideas, she analyses their writings through the lens of the most radical of continental postmodern philosophers and cultural critics in order to offer a compelling theology compatible with that world-view. Whether the reader considers postmodernism to be inherently problematic or merely inconsequential, this study demonstrates why reconsidering these preconceptions is one of the most pressing issues in contemporary Jewish thought.Trade ReviewReviews ‘The flourishing of postmodern culture and the development of postmodern philosophy pose important and difficult challenges to Jewish thought, especially in their denial of the existence of a single objective and ultimate truth. The book initiates a multidisciplinary conversation between Jewish thought and Continental philosophy through confronting the outlook of theology with that of postmodernist thought.’ Makor Rishon 'Dr Miriam Feldmann Kaye’s book is an indispensable read for current Jewish theology. She deals with three crucial contemporary issues---community belief, language, and revelation---from a postmodernist perspective. However, you do not have to be a postmodernist (as I am not) to realize the urgent need for this book and to appreciate the brilliance of this defense for the flourishing of Jewish theology.'Jerome Yehuda Gellman, Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev'Dr Feldmann Kaye offers a detailed analysis of influential recent trends in Israeli thought associated with postmodernism. It will be an important companion for scholars and intellectuals, whether or not they believe that postmodernist thought advances a worthwhile theory of religious belief and commitment, or even that it provides an accurate diagnosis of our current situation.'Professor Shalom Carmy, Yeshiva University, New York'By subjecting Jewish discourse to the newest ideas in Western philosophy Miriam Feldmann Kaye offers a clear and enriching analysis of issues of fundamental concern and offers a constructive way forward.'Rabbi Professor Naftali Rothenberg, senior research fellow, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute ‘Kaye has pulled off a tour de force in bridging philosophical and theological thinking by applying postmodern Western philosophy to Jewish religious discourse. She provides order, connects dots, and discerns patterns to a wide-ranging body of new trends, ideas, and texts associated with postmodernism.’ David B Levy, Association of Jewish Libraries'Jewish Theology is valuable both as a careful study of Ross and the Shagar, two voices whose contribution to the contemporary theological conversation is welcome, and also as an instructive and suggestive proposal for the future of postmodern Jewish theology.'Mark Randall James, Journal of Textual Reasoning‘The flourishing of postmodern culture and the development of postmodern philosophy pose important and difficult challenges to Jewish thought, especially in their denial of the existence of a single objective and ultimate truth. The book initiates a multidisciplinary conversation between Jewish thought and Continental philosophy through confronting the outlook of theology with that of postmodernist thought.’ Makor Rishon‘By subjecting Jewish discourse to the newest ideas in Western philosophy Miriam Feldmann Kaye offers a clear and enriching analysis of issues of fundamental concern and offers a constructive way forward. Rabbi Professor Naftali Rothenberg, Van Leer Jerusalem Institute‘Dr Miriam Feldmann Kaye’s book is an indispensable read for current Jewish theology. Kaye deals with three crucial contemporary issues: community belief, language, and revelation, from a postmodernist perspective. However, you do not have to be a postmodernist (as I am not) to realize the urgent need for this book and to appreciate the brilliance of this defense for the flourishing of Jewish theology.’Jerome Yehuda Gellman, Emeritus, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Culture2. Language3. Revelation in a Postmodern Age4. Conclusions BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisSarah Schenirer is one of the unsung heroes of twentieth-century Orthodox Judaism. The Bais Yaakov schools she founded in interwar Poland had an unparalleled impact on a traditional Jewish society threatened by assimilation and modernity, educating a generation of girls to take an active part in their community. The movement grew at an astonishing pace, expanding to include high schools, teacher seminaries, summer programmes, vocational schools, and youth movements, in Poland and beyond; it continues to flourish throughout the Jewish diaspora. Naomi Seidman explores the movement through the tensions that characterized it, capturing its complexity as a revolution in the name of tradition. She presents the context which led to its founding, examining the impact of socialism, feminism, Zionism, and Polish electoral politics on the process, and recounts its history, from its foundation in interwar Krakow to its near-destruction in the Holocaust, and its role in the reconstruction of Orthodoxy in subsequent decades. A vivid portrait of Schenirer shines through. The book includes selections from her writings published in English for the first time. Her pioneering, determined character remains the subject of debate in a culture that still regards innovation, female initiative, and women's Torah study with suspicion.Trade ReviewFascinating new book ... Seidman is one of the most interesting scholars working in Jewish studies today.'Rokhl Kafrissen, Tablet Magazine'Professor Seidman recounts stories, legends, and myths about Schenirer. Here is a towering figure, a revolutionary who changed Jewish Orthodoxy, but who also embodied the values that tradition associated with femininity: simplicity, humbleness, and maternal care… We have empirical proof: Bais Yaakov gave birth to many ethically engaged, Jewish-educated women, among them, Naomi Seidman, author, scholar, and feminist.'Brian Horowitz, H-Judaic'[Sarah Schenirer and the Bais Yaakov Movement] serves as an important first major study of a figure and a movement that marked a significant shift in the position of Orthodox women… Seidman writes with passion, scholarship, and lucid prose.' Jackie Rosensweig, Tradition'Seidman’s study brings women’s voices back to the centre of the history of Orthodoxy. Much of the reason that women have been overlooked in the study of Orthodoxy has been the subjects that scholars and fields of study define as worthy of attention. As Seidman’s study reveals there is an abundance of data and archives to present a full—not simply a male—history of Orthodoxy.' Eliyahu Stern, Shofar'By combining her thoughtful monograph with a full translation of Schenirer’s available Yiddish writings, Seidman has made these important documents widely available in English for the first time… her nuanced portrait will only encourage other scholars to delve further into the many unanswered questions surrounding a movement that she has amply and subtly shown to be “a revolution in the name of tradition.”' Eliyana R. Adler, Shofar'An extremely valuable aspect of the book is its broad context, which allows the reader to see Schenirer’s work against the background of the changes taking place at that time not only within Orthodox Judaism itself but also in the emergent feminist, socialist, Zionist, and Yiddishist movements.' Joanna Lisek, Shofar'Sarah Schenirer and the Bais Yaakov Movement, which so many have been waiting for, does not disappoint. Only after seeing how significant Sarah Schenirer was can we both wonder why it took so long for a rigorous study of Bais Yaakov to appear, and realise how appreciative we have to be to Seidman for removing the veil of hagiography from this subject.' Marc B. Shapiro, Shofar'Naomi Seidman’s book fills a void in the study of modern Jewish history… This book is a building block in the future research of Orthodoxy and opens new frontiers for scholarship.'Ilan Fuchs, The Lehrhaus'Naomi Seidman is uniquely qualified to write the definitive biography of Sarah Schenirer... Seidman portrays Schenirer as a learned, charismatic educator, worthy of being taken seriously in the field of modern Jewish thought... I recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Jewish women’s education or allied fields.'Debbie Weissman, NashimTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Introduction PART I. Reading Bais Yaakov 1. `In a Place Where There Are No Men': Before Bais Yaakov 2. `A New Thing that Our Ancestors Never Imagined': Beginnings (1917--1924) 3. Institution and Charisma 4. `So Shall You Say to the House of Jacob': Forging the Discourse of Bais Yaakov 5. `A New Kind of Woman': Bais Yaakov as Traditionalist Revolution Epilogue: Destruction and Rebirth PART II. The Collected Writings of Sarah Schenirer Foreword (1955): Rabbi Shlomo Rotenberg A Note from the Central Secretariat of Bnos Agudath Israel in Poland (1933) A Letter from the Hafets Hayim Introduction Sarah Schenirer's Students in America 1. Pages from My Life (5643--5678 [1883--1917/18]) 2. Bais Yaakov and Bnos Agudath Israel 3. The Jewish Year 4. Jewish Women's Lives: The Sacred Obligations of the Jewish Woman 5. Ten Letters to Jewish Children 6. A Letter from Mrs Schenirer [1935] Epilogue: With Perseverance and Faith: From Krakow to New York Appendices A. Schenirer, `From the Diary' (translated from Hebrew)  Schenirer, `Excerpts from the Diary' (translated from Polish) B. How Many Schools and Students Did Bais Yaakov Have? C. Sarah Schenirer's Family D. Sarah Schenirer's Krakow Bibliography Index

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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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Book SynopsisFollowing tremendous advances in recent years in the study of religious belief, this volume adopts a fresh understanding of Jewish religious life in Poland. Approaches deriving from the anthropology, history, phenomenology, psychology, and sociology of religion have replaced the methodologies of social or political history that were applied in the past, offering fascinating new perspectives. The well-established interest in hasidism continues, albeit from new angles, but topics that have barely been considered before are well represented here too. Women’s religious practice gains new prominence, and a focus on elites has given way to a consideration of the beliefs and practices of ordinary people. Reappraisals of religious responses to secularization and modernity, both liberal and Orthodox, offer more nuanced insights into this key issue. Other research areas represented here include the material history of Jewish religious life in eastern Europe and the shift of emphasis from theology to praxis in the search for the defining quality of religious experience. The contemporary reassessments in this volume, with their awareness of emerging techniques that have the potential to extract fresh insights from source materials both old and new, show how our understanding of what it means to be Jewish is continuing to expand.Trade Review'The insights brought to the knowledge of the Orthodox and especially Hasidic tradition are considerable and always based on the use of unpublished documents. The contribution of No. 33 of the journal Polin is therefore essential in its field.'Daniel Tollet, Revue des études juivesTable of ContentsIntroduction - Ada Rapoport-Albert and Marcin Wodziński PART I: THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY Leah Horwitz’s Tkhine Imohos: A Proto-Feminist Demand to Increase Jewish Women’s Religious Capital - Moshe Rosman ‘A girl! He ought to be whipped’: The Hasid as Homo Ludens - David Assaf Individualism, Truth, and the Repudiation of Magic as the Tsadik's Prerogative: Pshiskhe-Like Elements in the Theology of Rabbi Menahem Mendel of Kosov - Benjamin Brown Table Talk and the Bond of Reading: A Jewish Broadsheet for Meals - Avriel Bar-Levav PART II: THE NINETEENTH CENTURY Shtrayml: An Ethnographic Tale of Law and Ritualization - Levi Cooper The Narcissism of Small Differences? On Rituals and Customs as Hasidic Identity-Markers - Gadi Sagiv The Vilna Talmud as a Reflection of Changing Patterns of Study - Edward Fram Popular Religion and Modernity: Jewish Magical Books in Eastern Europe in the Nineteenth Century - Uriel Gellman Hasidic Performance as a Reconstruction of Biblical Life - Daniel Reiser Preserving a Synagogue: Cultural, Material, and Sacred Values - Sergey R. Kravtsov The Laws of Moses and the Laws of the Emperor: Austrian Marriage Legislation and the Jews of Galicia - Rachel Manekin A Forgotten Network? New Perspectives on Progressive Synagogues in Galicia and the Kingdom of Poland - Alicia Maślak-Maciejewska PART III: 1914–1939 To Enlist the Enthusiasm of the Young: Orthodox Jewish Non-Political Responses to the Challenges of Interwar Poland - Gershon Bacon The Scroll of 19 Kislev and the Construction of an Imagined Habad Lubavitch Community in Interwar Poland - Wojciech Tworek At the Centre of Two Revolutions: Beit Ya’akov in Poland between Neo-Orthodoxy and Ultra-Orthodoxy - Iris Brown (Hoizman) PART IV: HOLOCAUST AND POST-HOLOCAUST Gerer Youths in the Holocaust: A Representative Blind Spot in Holocaust Research - Havi Dreifuss The Afterlife of Religion: Orthodox Memoirs of the Holocaust and the Haredi Spiritualization of Modernity - Naftali Loewenthal Being and Becoming: Polish Conversions to Judaism and the Dynamics of Affiliation - Jan Lorenz PART V: NEW VIEWS Foul-Weather Friends: Reinterpreting Jewish–Christian Urban Interaction in the Final Decades of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth - Curtis G. Murphy The Vilna Pogrom of 19–21 April 1919 - Szymon Rudnicki Jewish Medical Activity in the Ghettos under the Nazi Regime: Characteristics and Broad Historical Context - Miriam Offer

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Book SynopsisFollowing tremendous advances in recent years in the study of religious belief, this volume adopts a fresh understanding of Jewish religious life in Poland. Approaches deriving from the anthropology, history, phenomenology, psychology, and sociology of religion have replaced the methodologies of social or political history that were applied in the past, offering fascinating new perspectives. The well-established interest in hasidism continues, albeit from new angles, but topics that have barely been considered before are well represented here too. Women’s religious practice gains new prominence, and a focus on elites has given way to a consideration of the beliefs and practices of ordinary people. Reappraisals of religious responses to secularization and modernity, both liberal and Orthodox, offer more nuanced insights into this key issue. Other research areas represented here include the material history of Jewish religious life in eastern Europe and the shift of emphasis from theology to praxis in the search for the defining quality of religious experience. The contemporary reassessments in this volume, with their awareness of emerging techniques that have the potential to extract fresh insights from source materials both old and new, show how our understanding of what it means to be Jewish is continuing to expand.Trade Review'The insights brought to the knowledge of the Orthodox and especially Hasidic tradition are considerable and always based on the use of unpublished documents. The contribution of No. 33 of the journal Polin is therefore essential in its field.'Daniel Tollet, Revue des études juivesTable of ContentsIntroduction - Ada Rapoport-Albert and Marcin Wodziński PART I: THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY Leah Horwitz’s Tkhine Imohos: A Proto-Feminist Demand to Increase Jewish Women’s Religious Capital - Moshe Rosman ‘A girl! He ought to be whipped’: The Hasid as Homo Ludens - David Assaf Individualism, Truth, and the Repudiation of Magic as the Tsadik's Prerogative: Pshiskhe-Like Elements in the Theology of Rabbi Menahem Mendel of Kosov - Benjamin Brown Table Talk and the Bond of Reading: A Jewish Broadsheet for Meals - Avriel Bar-Levav PART II: THE NINETEENTH CENTURY Shtrayml: An Ethnographic Tale of Law and Ritualization - Levi Cooper The Narcissism of Small Differences? On Rituals and Customs as Hasidic Identity-Markers - Gadi Sagiv The Vilna Talmud as a Reflection of Changing Patterns of Study - Edward Fram Popular Religion and Modernity: Jewish Magical Books in Eastern Europe in the Nineteenth Century - Uriel Gellman Hasidic Performance as a Reconstruction of Biblical Life - Daniel Reiser Preserving a Synagogue: Cultural, Material, and Sacred Values - Sergey R. Kravtsov The Laws of Moses and the Laws of the Emperor: Austrian Marriage Legislation and the Jews of Galicia - Rachel Manekin A Forgotten Network? New Perspectives on Progressive Synagogues in Galicia and the Kingdom of Poland - Alicia Maślak-Maciejewska PART III: 1914–1939 To Enlist the Enthusiasm of the Young: Orthodox Jewish Non-Political Responses to the Challenges of Interwar Poland - Gershon Bacon The Scroll of 19 Kislev and the Construction of an Imagined Habad Lubavitch Community in Interwar Poland - Wojciech Tworek At the Centre of Two Revolutions: Beit Ya’akov in Poland between Neo-Orthodoxy and Ultra-Orthodoxy - Iris Brown (Hoizman) PART IV: HOLOCAUST AND POST-HOLOCAUST Gerer Youths in the Holocaust: A Representative Blind Spot in Holocaust Research - Havi Dreifuss The Afterlife of Religion: Orthodox Memoirs of the Holocaust and the Haredi Spiritualization of Modernity - Naftali Loewenthal Being and Becoming: Polish Conversions to Judaism and the Dynamics of Affiliation - Jan Lorenz PART V: NEW VIEWS Foul-Weather Friends: Reinterpreting Jewish–Christian Urban Interaction in the Final Decades of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth - Curtis G. Murphy The Vilna Pogrom of 19–21 April 1919 - Szymon Rudnicki Jewish Medical Activity in the Ghettos under the Nazi Regime: Characteristics and Broad Historical Context - Miriam Offer

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Book SynopsisAda Rapoport-Albert has been a key player in the profound transformation of the history of hasidism that has taken shape since the 1970s. She has never lacked the courage to question conventional wisdom, but neither has she overturned it lightly. The essays in this volume show the erudition and creativity of her contribution to rewriting the master-narrative of hasidic history. Thanks to her we now know that eighteenth-century hasidism evolved in a context of intense spirituality rather than political, social, economic, or religious crisis. It did not represent the movement’s ‘classic period’ and was not a project of democratization, ameliorating the hierarchical structuring of religion and spirituality. Eighteenth-century hasidism is more accurately described as the formative and creative prelude to the mature movement of the nineteenth century: initially neither institutionalized nor centralized, it developed through a process of differentiation from traditional ascetic-mystical hasidism. Its elite leaders only became conscious of a distinctive group identity after the Ba’al Shem Tov’s death, and they subsequently spent the period from the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth century experimenting with various forms of doctrine, literature, organization, leadership, and transfer of authority. Somewhat surprisingly there was no attempt to introduce any revision of women’s status and role; in the examination of this area of hasidism Rapoport-Albert’s contribution has been singularly revealing. Her work has emphasized that, contrary to hasidism’s thrust towards spiritualization of the physical, the movement persisted in identifying women with an irredeemable materiality: women could never escape their inherent sexuality and attain the spiritual heights. Gender hierarchy therefore persisted and, formally speaking, for the first 150 years or so of hasidism’s existence women were not counted as members of the group. Twentieth-century Habad hasidim responded to modernist feminism by re-evaluating the role of women, but just as Habad appropriated modern rhetorical strategies to defend tradition, so it adopted certain feminist postulates in order to create a counter-feminism that would empower women without destabilizing traditional gender roles. The essays in this volume are a fitting statement of Professor Rapoport-Albert’s importance to the study of hasidism, to Jewish studies as a whole, and to the academic scrutiny of religion. Written over a period of forty years, they have been updated for this volume with regard to significant detail and to take account of important works of scholarship written after they were originally published.Trade Review'Ada Rapoport-Albert is one of the most striking figures on the field of modern Judaic studies.'Galina Zelenina, Judaic-Slavic Journal Table of ContentsNote on Transliteration and Conventions Used in the Text Introduction Moshe Rosman PART I HISTORY Becoming a Movement 1. Hasidism After 1772: Structural Continuity and Change Conceptualizing Leadership 2. God and the Tsadik as the Two Focal Points of Hasidic Worship 3. Confession in the Circle of R. Nahman of Braslav Fashioning the Past 4 Hagiography with Footnotes: Edifying Tales and the Writing of History in Hasidism PART II GENDER Women Out? 5. From Prophetess to Madwoman: The Displacement of Female Spirituality in the Post-Sabbatian Era 6. On Women in Hasidism: S. A. Horodecky and the Maid of Ludmir Tradition Women In? 7. The Emergence of a Female Constituency in Twentieth-Century Habad Hasidism 8. From Woman as Hasid to Woman as ‘Tsadik’ in the Teachings of the Last Two Lubavitcher Rebbes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisMoshe Rosman's revolutionary approach has become a cornerstone of Polish Jewish historiography. Challenging conventions, he asserts that the 'marriage of convenience' between the Jews and the Polish--Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dynamic relationship that, though punctuated by crisis and persecution, developed into a saga of overall achievement and stability. With that fundamental message this book forges a thematic survey of Jewish history in early modern Poland. These essays, written by Rosman over the course of a distinguished career, have all been updated and enhanced with new detail and nuanced arguments, taking account not only of new archival material and research but also of the ongoing evolution of the author’s own knowledge and perspectives. Some appear here in English for the first time. The volume's structure highlights key topics for understanding the Polish Jewish past: relations between Jews and other Poles; Jewish communal life; Polish Jewish women; and hasidism. One section analyses how this past has been presented in both scholarly and popular modes. The essays are crafted to place them in dialogue with each other. Analytical introductions weigh their significance in the light of modern and postmodern Jewish and Polish historiography. An extensive general introduction sets the context of the history portrayed here, while a thoughtful conclusion elucidates the larger motifs that emerge.Trade ReviewReviews'This is a book I myself would want!'Antony Polonsky, author of the three-volume History of the Jews in Poland and Russia'The pieces . . . are all of high quality, and bringing them together fills the need for a book that can supplement existing narrative histories, especially for graduate students who need to learn not only the history but the historiography of the subject. The inclusion of pieces that have not previously appeared in English is a real contribution.'David Engel, New York University‘In a rare and fascinating overview of his field, Rosman evaluates changes in the study of Polish Jewry and the perceptions altered by his own distinguished research as well as others’.’ Sara Jo Ben Zvi, SegulaTable of ContentsIntroduction PART I HISTORIOGRAPHY Introduction 1. A New Scholarly Foundation: The Historiography of Polish Jewry Since 1945 2. The Verdict of Israeli Historiography on Hasidism 3. POLIN: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the New Polish Jewish Metahistory PART II JEWS AND OTHER POLES Introduction 4. Jewish Perceptions of Persecution and Powerlessness in the Commonwealth 5. A Minority Views the Majority: Jewish Attitudes Towards the Commonwealth and Interaction with Poles 6. Dubno in the Wake of Khmelnytsky 7. The Question of the Jews in the Constitution of the Third of May PART III THE JEWISH COMMUNITY Introduction 8. Jewish Autonomy in Poland and the Polish Regime 9. The Authority of the Council of Four Lands Outside Poland--Lithuania 10. The Indebtedness of the Lublin Kahal in the Eighteenth Century 11. Everyday Violence in Jewish Communities of the Commonwealth 12. The Image of Poland as a Torah Centre after 1648 PART IV WOMEN Introduction 13. History of Jewish Women in the Commonwealth I: An Assessment 14. History of Jewish Women in the Commonwealth II: From Facilitation to Participation 15. A Proto-Feminist Demand to Increase Jewish Women’s Religious Capital: Leah Horowitz’s Tkhine Imohos PART V HASIDISM Introduction 16. The Rise of Hasidism 17. Międzybóż and Rabbi Yisra’el Ba’al Shem Tov 18. Stories that Changed History: The Unique Career of Shivḥei habesht 19. Hasidism as a Modern Phenomenon Conclusion: Theme Decoding

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Book SynopsisFor Louis Jacobs, the quest—the process of engaging with and thinking about Jewish faith—was a lifelong pursuit. He offered a model in the 1960s, a period characterized by general religious crisis, of an observant, committed, but intellectually curious Judaism that empowered individual seekers to address challenges to faith. In Orthodox Judaism at the time a battle was under way for religious control. Generating a widespread controversy in British Jewry known as the ‘Jacobs Affair’, his thought offers a lens for examining the trajectory of Orthodoxy. In a contemporary context marked by the changing cultural and intellectual concerns of a ‘post-secular’ age, the focus of some of these debates over religious control has shifted. Yet Jacobs’ emphasis on a personal quest is as relevant as ever, perhaps more so. This first book-length analysis of his theology unpacks the building blocks of his thought. It argues that, despite its particularities and limitations, his approach can provide a powerful model for contemporary religious seekers in the context of a growing impetus away from established, denominationally bound forms of religion. Many orthodox believers across a range of faiths continue to prefer the certainty of unquestionable religious truth claims rather than pursuing a subjective search for religious meaning. For those seeking alternative models for the contemporary Jewish quest, a reconsideration of Jacobs’ theology can offer valuable tools.Trade Review‘A major study of an important twentieth-century Jewish thinker and religious leader, whom I was privileged to know and learn from.’ David Novak, Fellow of St. Michael's College, University of TorontoTable of ContentsIntroductionPart I. The Grinning Cheshire Cat 1. The Making of Louis Jacobs2. Tradition vs. Orthodoxy3. The Jew in the PewPart II. Liberal Supernaturalism: The Theology of Louis Jacobs 4. God5. Torah6. IsraelPart III. The Contemporary Jewish Quest: From Cheshire Cat to Tinkerer7. Revelation in Context: From Louis Jacobs to TheTorah.com8. The Tyranny of Labels9. Mysticism and the New Age10. Truth and FaithConclusion: Reconsidering Jacobs for the Contemporary Jewish Quest Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThoroughly researched, this study highlights the historical scholarship that is one of the lasting legacies of interwar Polish Jewry and analyses its political and social context. As Jewish citizens struggled to assert their place in a newly independent Poland, a dedicated group of Jewish scholars fascinated by history devoted themselves to creating a sense of Polish Jewish belonging while also fighting for their rights as an ethnic minority. The political climate made it hard for these men and women to pursue an academic career; instead they had to continue their efforts to create and disseminate Polish Jewish history by teaching outside the university and publishing in scholarly and popular journals. By introducing the Jewish public to a pantheon of historical heroes to celebrate and anniversaries to commemorate, they sought to forge a community aware of its past, its cultural heritage, and its achievements---though no less important were their efforts to counter the increased hostility towards Jews in the public discourse of the day. In highlighting the role of public intellectuals and the social role of scholars and historical scholarship, this study adds a new dimension to the understanding of the Polish Jewish world in the interwar period.Trade ReviewReviews'This is an important subject not only for those concerned with the modern history and culture of Polish Jews but also for anyone interested in the relations between academy and community or in the social role of scholars and scholarship'.David Engel, New York University'Historical scholarship was a main feature of Polish-Jewish culture between the wars and is one of the main legacies of Polish Jewry. This book, analysing the political and social context and the metahistory of that work, promises to be a landmark piece of scholarship.'Moshe Rosman, Bar-Ilan University‘Natalia Aleksiun’s important new book […] gives voice to these largely unknown historians who may have doubted the efficacy of their enterprise but never their right to undertake it […] Thanks to Aleksiun’s carefully researched and evocative book, we now know their names and their scholarship.’Nancy Sinkoff, Sources'Aleksiun weaves a powerful narrative about public intellectuals, historical scholarship, and Polish-Jewish relations... Conscious History is an innovative and exemplary contribution to scholarship about Polish Jews and interwar Poland that deepens our understanding of many of the questions that continue to animate historians today.'Joanna Sliwa, H-Poland'Pioneering in many aspects... Aleksiun’s book serves as a collective biography of the Jewish historians working in Poland at the turn of the century and during the Second Republic. The author skillfully describes their legacy as well as their complicated and sometimes tragic relations with the Poles.'Rafał Stobiecki, H-Soz-Kult'[Conscious History's] strength is exactly where it deals with the richness of Jewish history in Polish, Yiddish and Hebrew, bringing to life a largely forgotten community... it is a must-read both for those interested in the Jewish history of Central Europe and historians of scholarship from and of the region.' Jan Surman, Jewish Culture and History‘Aleksiun’s Conscious History is an important book and essential read for anyone interested in the history of Polish Jewry, its writers, and inter‐war Poland more broadly. Its relevance goes beyond the classroom and its academic audience. The rise of nationalism worldwide reminds us of the importance of historical debates in the public sphere, as well as our own duty as civic activists.’ Oskar Czendze, H-Judaic‘This book is great on many levels. But for me the most important is cultural inheritance. The people about whom Professor Aleksiun has written have acquired a voice anew through her and she has demonstrated her membership in the club; she too is a Polish-Jewish historian, just like the ones about whom she writes. And her book is not only about historians, but is also a testament to them.’ Brian Horowitz, Gal-EdTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Historical Beginnings 2. The Making of Professional Polish Jewish Historians 3. Becoming Mainstream 4. Beyond the Ivory Tower 5. Themes and Trends of Historical Enquiry Epilogue Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSa’adyah Gaon was an outstanding tenth-century Jewish thinker—a prominent rabbi, philosopher, and exegete. He was a pioneer in the fields in which he toiled, and was an inspiration and basis for later Jewish writing in all these areas. The last major English-language study of his work was published in 1921, long before Genizah research changed the understanding of the time in which he lived. Robert Brody’s masterly work, covering Sa’adyah’s biography and his main areas of creativity in an accessible way, is therefore a much-needed reassessment of an outstanding figure. The opening chapter, on the geonic period that formed the background to Sa’adyah’s life (a period on which there are few works in English), is followed by an overview that brings out the revolutionary aspects of his work and the characteristic features of his writings. Subsequent chapters consider his philosophical works; his Bible commentaries; his pioneering linguistic work; his poetry; his halakhic activity (including an examination of his use of the Palestinian Talmud compared to that of the Babylonian Talmud); and his activity as a polemicist, notably against the Karaites. An Epilogue sums up his importance in medieval Jewish culture. Particularly valuable features of the book are the copious quotations from Sa’adyah’s works, which facilitate familiarity with his style as well as his ideas; the clarity in presenting complex and difficult concepts; the constant assessment of his relationship to his predecessors in his various fields of study and his own unique contributions to each field; and the contextualization of his contribution within the political, cultural, and religious climate of his times so that both revolutionary and conservative elements in his thought can be identified and evaluated.Trade Review'Gives you a sense of who Sa'adyah was, and the impact of his works. It's a fascinating work, about one of the most fascinating personalities in Jewish thought.'Ben Rothke, The Times of IsraelTable of Contents1 The Geonic Period and the Background of R. Sa'adyah Gaon's Activities2 The Revolutionary Champion of Tradition3 The Philosopher4 The Biblical Commentator5 The Linguist6 The Poet7 The Man of Halakhah8 Sa'adyah, Polemicist and PublicistBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisMidrash is arguably the most ancient genre of Jewish literature, forming a voluminous body of scriptural exegesis over the course of centuries. There is hardly anything in the ancient rabbinic universe that was not taught through this medium. The diversity and development of that creative profusion are presented here in a new light. The contributors cover a broad range of texts, from late antiquity to the modern period and from all the centres of literary creativity, including non-rabbinic and non-Jewish literature, so that the full extent of the modes and transformations of Midrash can be fully appreciated. A comprehensive introduction situates Midrash in its historical and cultural setting, pointing to creative adaptations within the tradition and providing a sense of the variety of genres and applications discussed in the body of the book. Bringing together an impressive array of the leading names in the field, the volume is innovative in both its scope and content, seeking to open a new period in the study of Midrash and its creative role in the formation of culture. It should be of interest to all scholars of Jewish studies, as well as to a wider readership interested in the interrelationships between hermeneutics, culture, and creativity, and especially in the afterlife of a classical genre and its ability to inspire new creativity in many forms. Contributors: Philip Alexander, Sebastian Brock, Jacob Elbaum, Michael Fishbane, Robert Hayward, William Horbury, Sara Japhet, Ephraim Kanarfogel, Naftali Loewenthal, Ivan G. Marcus, Alison Salvesen, Marc Saperstein, Chava Turniansky, Piet van Boxel, Joanna Weinberg, Benjamin Williams, Elliot Wolfson, Eli Yassif.Trade Review'[Midrash Unbound] is, both in the field of Judaism but also in the various historical disciplines of religious studies and theology, indispensable.'Görge K. Hasselhoff, Brill Review 'Midrash Unbound is a significant and substantial contribution to the study of midrashic literature, method and process as manifested in diverse Jewish sources and select non-Jewish writings, from Late Antiquity to the Modern age. Fishbane and Weinberg have brought together an impressive array of scholars to explore the nature of Midrash in varied historical and geographical contexts, pointing out, as the aptly chosen title suggests, transformations and innovations in the development of the genre. [...] It is a volume that enriches and meaningfully extends discussion on how we can understand Midrash and its development in diverse literary forms and historical contexts.' Dr Helen Spurling, BAJS ReviewTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Introduction - Michael Fishbane and Joanna Weinberg Part I Origins and Subsurface Traditions 1 Midrash and the Meaning of Scripture - Michael Fishbane 2 The Hand upon the Lord’s Throne: Targumic and Midrashic Perceptions of Exodus 17: 14--16 - Robert Hayward 3 Unwashed Hands: A Midrashic Controversy in the Gospel of Matthew - Piet van Boxel 4 ‘Tradunt Hebraei . . .’ The Problem of the Function and Reception of Jewish Midrash in Jerome - Alison Salvesen 5 Midrash in Syriac - Sebastian Brock Part II Later Midrashic Forms 6 Piyut and Midrash: Between Poetic Invention and Rabbinic Convention - Michael Fishbane 7 The Mourners of Zion and the Suffering Messiah: Pesikta rabati 34---Structure, Theology, and Content - Philip Alexander 8 The Toledot jeshu as Midrash - William Horbury 9 Storytelling as Midrashic Discourse in the Middle Ages - Eli Yassif 10 Performative Midrash in the Memory of Ashkenazi Martyrs - Ivan G. Marcus Part III Medieval Transformations 11 Midrash in a Leixical Key: The Arukh of Nathan ben Yehiel - Joanna Weinberg 12 Rashi’s Choice: The {H.}umash Commentary as Rewritten Midrash - Ivan G. Marcus 13 The Pendulum of Exegetical Methodology: From the Peshat to the Derash and Back - Sara Japhet 14 Midrashic Texts and Methods in Tosafist Torah Commentaries - Ephraim Kanarfogel 15 Zoharic Literature and Midrashic Temporality - Elliot Wolfson Part IV Early Modern and Modern Traditions 16 The Ingathering of Midrash Rabbah - Benjamin Williams 17 Midrash in Medieval and Early Modern Sermons - Marc Saperstein 18 Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague and his Attitude to the Aggadah - Jacob Elbaum 19 The Destruction of the Temple: A Yiddish Booklet for the Ninth of Av - Jacob Elbaum and Chava Turniansky 20 Midrash in Habad Hasidism - Naftali Loewenthal Notes on Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisNational Jewish Book Awards Finalist for the Anthologies and Collections Award, 2012.Two of the most pervasive aspects of modern Jewish life are interaction with people of other faiths and exposure to their beliefs to a degree unknown in the past. Jewish thinking regarding other religions has not succeeded in keeping pace with the contemporary realities that regularly confront most Jews, nor has it adequately assimilated the ways in which other religions have changed their teachings about Jews and Judaism. Many Jews who grapple with Jewish tradition in the contemporary world want to know how Judaism sees today’s non-Jewish other in order to affirm itself. Re-examining Jewish tradition, they seek guidance in understanding their interfaith relationships in the light of a Jewish religious mission. Jewish Theology and World Religions advances this conversation, exploring critical issues that Jews and Jewish thought face when relating to Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It also analyses the philosophical issues raised by pluralism, non-exclusive approaches to religious truth, and appreciating the religious other. The contributors to this volume represent a range of disciplines and denominations within Judaism and share the conviction that articulating contemporary Jewish views of other world religions is an urgent objective for Judaism. Their essays show why formulating a Jewish theology of world religions is a priority for Jewish thinkers and educators concerned with reinvigorating Judaism's contribution to the contemporary world, and how it coheres with maintaining Jewish identity and continuity.Trade ReviewReviews 'An indispensable title for graduate and undergraduate programmes emphasizing world religions and interfaith/interreligious dialogue . . . Highly recommended.' R.A. Boisclair, Choice'These skilfully edited essays are rich food for reflection and future work . . . It is this kind of creative thinking—regardless of past historical experiences and the foundational texts of the Jewish religious tradition . . . that might well prove a substantial breakthrough in both the present and the future for all religious communities in contact with each other . . . Goshen-Gottstein and Korn are to be commended for assembling the scholars initially in a conference and joining them together in this volume. One hopes that this project is only the beginning of several volumes addressing the multitude of questions, observation, and insights raised herein.' Steven L. Jacobs, H-Judaic'Superb . . . nothing less than a conspectus of the critical issues that Jews face when relating to Christians and Muslims—and, yes, to Buddhists and Hindus as well . . . Rare is the anthology of essays that holds together thematically, but this book is a happy exception—well organized, with the essays carefully curated. It moves seamlessly from a general discussion of Jewish philosophical perspectives on pluralism to empirical treatments of Judaism and the “Other” to a series of culminating essays on Judaism and Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism . . . breaks new ground in our understanding of other faiths from a Jewish perspective . For this contribution, theologians, halakhists, religious communal leadership, and lay readers should offer prayers of thanksgiving.' Jerome A. Chanes, Jewish Ideas Daily'Every so often a book comes along that clarifies something you've been thinking about but which has never presented a clear path to understanding. This is one of those happy occurrences. If you've been wondering how Judaism relates to the other great religions of the world, and how this religious pluralism affects contemporary Jews and their sense of identity, [this book] is the place to look . . . The two editors of this volume hold outstanding credentials . . . the writing is solid and the ideas accessible.' Linda F. Burghardt, Jewish Book World'The rich volume under review portrays theological reflections on Jewish identity, Jewish norms concerning other religions, and Jewish relations with non-Jewish “others” . . . also new perspectives are offered and there is a sincere search of possible inspiration from other religions.' Ephraim Meir, Modern Judaism'The rudiments of Jewish theology were established in the biblical, Talmudic, and medieval eras, yet, while the world has substantially progressed from those times, Orthodox Jewish theology has not. Goshen-Gottstein and Korn recognized this dilemma, and responded to it by compiling a thorough and much needed work of Orthodox interfaith theology that addresses twenty-first century Jews. The multiple contributors in this volume each acknowledge that interfaith relationships are profoundly different than they were in the medieval era, and have constructed interfaith theologies in accord with this new reality . . . a Jewish theology of Eastern religions had been keenly lacking, and it is presented here in a sensitive fashion.' Daniel Ross Goodman, Religious Studies ReviewTable of ContentsNotes on Contributors Note on Transliteration Preface - Eugene Korn Introduction: Towards a Jewish Theology of World Religions: Framing the Issues - ALON GOSHEN-GOTTSTEINPart I Philosophical Perspectives on Jewish Pluralism 1 Jewish Views of World Religions: Four Models - ALAN BRILL 2 Justifying Inter-Religious Pluralism - AVI SAGI 3 Pluralism out of the Sources of Judaism: The Quest for Religious Pluralism without Relativism - RAPHAEL JOSPE 4 Respectful Disagreement: Reply to Raphael Jospe - JOLENE S. KELLNER and MENACHEM KELLNER Part II Judaism and the Other 5 Can Another Religion Be Seen as the Other? - STANISLAW KRAJEWSKI 6 The Violence of the Neutral - MEIR SENDOR 7 Jewish Liturgical Memory and the Non-Jew: Past Realities and Future Possibilities - RUTH LANGER Part III Judaism and World Religions 8 Rethinking Christianity: Rabbinic Positions and Possibilities - EUGENE KORN 9 Maimonides’ Treatment of Christianity and its Normative Implications - DAVID NOVAK 10 The Banished Brother: Islam in Jewish Thought and Faith - PAUL FENTON 11 Encountering Hinduism: Thinking Through Avodah zarah - ALON GOSHEN GOTTSTEIN 12 Judaism and Buddhism: A Jewish Approach to a Godless Religion - JEROME (YEHUDA) GELLMAN Concluding Reflections - ALON GOSHEN-GOTTSTEIN Index

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Book Synopsis‘A remarkable contribution to Maimonides scholarship.’ Rabbi Jeremy Rosen, The AlgemeinerTrade ReviewReviews'Carefully and convincingly, Diamond and Kellner show that Maimonides’ written words were repeatedly appropriated by Jewish religious thinkers in the 20th century to promote theological positions that Maimonides would never have subscribed to.' Martin Lockshin, The Canadian Jewish News‘A striking example of Rambam's universalistic world view: all people of all backgrounds have access to God if they suitably devote themselves to the Almighty.’ Rabbi Marc Angel'Much can be learned from each of the articles... each of these thinkers reads Rambam [Moses Maimonides] differently. Rambam continues to evoke serious thought. He remains a powerful guide…and a formidable challenge.'Rabbi Marc Angel, Ideals'How should we... invoke the authority of Maimonides in a way that shows fidelity both to intellectual history and to contemporary significance? Historical studies alone are insufficient for this task. In the writings of eight contemporary Orthodox writers, we catch a glimpse of how they try to carve out the current meaning and significance of Maimonides for their religious visions and ways of life. Kellner and Diamond have done us an important service by bringing these rabbinic thinkers and their readings of Maimonides to our attention.'Alex Sztuden, Tradition'James A. Diamond and Menachem Kellner are not afraid to tangle with the heart of Jewish tradition and ask provocative questions... [they] do an excellent job of executing their goal of analyzing selected Orthodox rabbis’ writings,' Ethan Prager, Reading ReligionTable of ContentsNote on Transliteration Note on Sources Introduction James A. Diamond and Menachem Kellner 1. Rabbi Naftali Tsevi Yehuda Berlin: The Love of Israel versus the Love of the Mind James A. Diamond 2. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and Maimonides Menachem Kellner 3. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook and the Mystification of Maimonidean Rationalism James A. Diamond 4. Maimonides and R. Kalonymus Kalman Shapira: Abandoning Reason in the Warsaw Ghetto James A. Diamond 5. Rav Elhanan Wasserman on Maimonides, and Maimonides on ‘Reb Elhanan’ Menachem Kellner 6. Each Generation and Its Maimonides: The Maimonides of Rav Aharon Kotler Menachem Kellner 7. What, Not Who, Is a Jew: Halevi-Maimonides in Those Days, Rabbi Aviner and Rabbi Kafih in Our Days Menachem Kellner Afterword Seth Avi Kadish Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisHasidism, a Jewish religious movement that originated in Poland in the eighteenth century, today counts over 700,000 adherents, primarily in the U.S., Israel, and the UK. Popular and scholarly interest in Hasidic Judaism and Hasidic Jews is growing, but there is no textbook dedicated to research methods in the field, nor sources for the history of Hasidism have been properly recognized. Studying Hasidism, edited by Marcin Wodziński, an internationally recognized historian of Hasidism, aims to remedy this gap. The work’s thirteen chapters each draws upon a set of different sources, many of them previously untapped, including folklore, music, big data, and material culture to demonstrate what is still to be achieved in the study of Hasidism. Ultimately, this textbook presents research methods that can decentralize the role community leaders play in the current literature and reclaim the everyday lives of Hasidic Jews.Trade Review"Impressive..readers will learn new things about Hasidism even while their horizons broaden to see new ways of thinking about sources." -- Naomi Seidman * author of The Marriage Plot or, How Jews Fell in Love with Love, and with Literature *"The contributors to Studying Hasidism are the academic equivalent of an all-star team while the topics covered are the wish-list of anyone interested in Hasidism. Up to date, original and comprehensive–there is nothing like it." -- Shaul Stampfer * author of Lithuanian Yeshivas of the Nineteenth Century: Creating a Tradition of Learning *"Marcin Wodzinski has assembled eleven respected scholars for this work on Hasidism. Much more than an excellent textbook, it focuses on a wide range of important issues not generally emphasized in histories of this pious movement whose membership even now amounts to nearly a million people, roughly seven percent of the world’s Jewish population. Intellectually challenging and engagingly written, the book should appeal to everyone interested in the history of modern Jewry." -- Abraham Ascher * Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus, Graduate Center, City University of New York *"Comprised of thirteen erudite and informative articles by experts in Hasidic culture and customs, Studying Hasidism: Sources, Methods, Perspectives is an extraordinary, unique, and impressively informative contribution to the growing library of Hasidic literature and an invaluable addition to personal, community, and academic library Judaic Studies collections." * Midwest Book Review *"Studying Hasidism is certainly a valuable tool for both scholars and advanced students of Hasidism. It goes beyond the editor’s previous works in not only laying out a vision of what direction the historical analysis of Hasidism can take, by actually providing systematic tools with which to do so." * Tradition *Table of ContentsTable of Contents List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgments Note on Transcription and Place Names Introduction by Marcin Wodziński 1. Homilies by Gadi Sagiv 2. Halakhah by Levi Cooper 3. Stories by Uriel Gellman 4. Mitnagedim by Uriel Gellman 5. Maskilim by Jonatan Meir 6. Ego-documents by Marcin Wodziński 7. Folk narratives by Galit Hasan-Rokem and Shaul Magid 8. Archives by Yohanan Petrovsky Shtern 9. Press by David Assaf 10. Iconography by Maya Balakirsky-Katz 11. Music by Edwin Seroussi 12. Material culture by Vladimir Levin 13. Big data by Marcin Wodziński Note About the Authors Index

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Book SynopsisThis collected volume is based on the proceedings of a symposium held in 2018 at York University, Canada, which was held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Israel. This symposium highlighted contemporary Jewish identity, Israel-Diaspora relations, and how Jewish life has been transformed in light of various types of antisemitism. The book considers the diasporic Jewish experiences through examining the intersections between various Jewish communities sociologically, historically, and geographically.The text covers world Jewry in general, and each of the diaspora and Israeli Jewries more specifically in the context of mutual responsibility, but also focuses on areas of tension concerning values and political matters. The challenges of antisemitism, racism, and nationalism are explored in terms of the relationship of the Jewish diasporas to their host countries. This text also covers antisemitism, which may take the form of traditional antisemitism or of the new antisemitism in the era of anti-Israel activity related to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. The latter movement is especially prevalent on university campuses and has an impact on students, faculty, and staff. This volume is unique in its international perspective in examining issues of Jewish identity, Israel-diaspora relations, and antisemitism and will appeal to students and researchers working in the field.Table of ContentsIsrael at 70 and World Jewry: One People or Two?.- Israel-Diaspora Relations in the 21st Century: Continuities and Discontinuities.- The Evolution of North American Jews’ Relations with Israel from Adolescence to Adulthood: The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class of 1994-95 (5755).- The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Potential Impact on Jewish Young Adults’ Relationship to Israel and Jewish Identity.- Segmented and Transnational Identity Formation in the Israeli Diaspora.- Keeping the Flame Alive: The Formation of Transnational Identities among Jewish Emigrants from Israel.- Holocaust, Memory, Migration: The Burden of Catastrophe among Israelis in Germany.- The Faculty Assault on Academic Freedom (USA).- Antisemitism, Anti-Israelism, and Canada in Context.- Jewish Students’ Experiences in the Era of BDS: Exploring Jewish Lived Experience and the New Antisemitism on Canadian Campuses.- Is Anti-Israelism Antisemitism? Evidence from Great Britain.- The BDS Movement in Australia.- Epilogue: Summary, Discussion, and Looking Beyond.

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Book SynopsisBefore his rather sudden passing in 2020, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was one of the most eloquent and influential religious leaders of the generation. As Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for over two decades, he offered a universal message cultivated from the Jewish and Western cannons he knew so well. One concept that figured prominently in his work was joy. “I think of Judaism as an ode to joy,” he once wrote. “Like Beethoven, Jews have known suffering, isolation, hardship, and rejection, yet they never lacked the religious courage to rejoice.” In this volume, organized by the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership, academics and writers explore the significance of joy within the Jewish tradition. These essays and reflections discuss traditional Jewish primary sources, including Biblical, Rabbinic and Hebrew literature, Jewish history and philosophy, education, the arts, and positive psychology, and of course, through the prism of Lord Sacks’ work. Table of Contents1 Introduction. Part I Personal Reflections: Rabbi Sacks and Joy. 2 Rabbi Sacks and Joy: A Personal Reflection. 3 Joy as Challenge: Personal Reflections on Working with Rabbi Sacks. 4 Beethoven’s Last Sonata. 5 The Language of the Soul. Part II Joy in the Bible. 6 “What Good Is That?” Happiness and the Emotional Range of Ecclesiastes. 7 Joy to Shushan: The Book of Esther’s Radical Cocktail of Happiness. 8 Odes to Joy in Sonnets and Psalms. 9 Flowing with Joy. 10 Joy and Trembling. Part III Joy in Rabbinic Literature. 11 Reflections on the Human Experience of Joy. 12 All for the Best: Rabbi Akiva’s Theodicy of Joy. 13 Inclusive Joy: On Maimonides’ Definition of Meaningful Happiness. 14 Show Me Those Pearly Whites: Divine and Human Smiling. 15 Bright Yellow Judaism. 16 Simha Shel Mitzvah: The Commandment of Joy, or the Joy of a Commandment?. 17 Finding Happiness in the Transience of Sukkot. Part IV Joy in Legal Thought. 18 Law’s Joy: Celebrating the Study and Practice of Law. 19 Joy as a Legal Metaphor. 20 Emotion, Connection, and Motion: Deploying Positive and Negative Emotions in Conflict Resolution. Part V Joy in Jewish Philosophy and Kabbalah. 21 Happiness and Joy: Rabbi Sacks’ Dialogue of Athens and Jerusalem. 22 Crescas and Rabbi Sacks on Happiness and Joy. 23 Standing Before God in Joy and Fear. 24 Joys, Oys, and the Pursuit of Happiness. 25 Affirming Life in Joy Across the Divinity Divide: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Friedrich Nietzsche. 26 Sacks on Sisyphus and Soloveitchik: From Myth to Meaning. 27 “I Will Tell You How Once They Were Joyous”: On the Joy of the Baal Shem Tov’s Hasidim and of R. Nahman of Bratslav. Part VI Joy in Jewish History and Modernity. 28 Happy Alone or Happy Together? R. Jonathan Sacks, Contemporary Culture, and the Promise of Hope. 29 Joy and Judaism at the Battle of Bunker Hill. 30 Joy in the Interfaith Encounter. Part VII Joy in Hebrew Literature and Prayer. 31 Joy, Sorrow, and Emotional Equilibrium in Agnon. 32 The Joy of Ordinary Living. 33 Celebrating the Good Through the Sheheheyanu Blessing. 34 Ashrei Yoshvei Veitekha: Joy in the Ancient Synagogue. 35 The Music Beneath the Noise: Faith and Joy in the Writings of Rabbi Sacks. 36 Expressing the Inexpressible: Rabbi Sacks on Music and the Search for a Religious Aesthetic. Part IX Joy in Psychology and Human Agency. 37 Agency in the Bible: Humans Wrestling with God. 38 Serve God with Joy (and Self-Actualization): Positive Psychology and the Thought of Rabbi Sacks. 39 Joy Stick: Judaism, Video Games, and the Pursuit of Happiness. 40 Rabbi Sacks’ Psychology of Individual and Collective Well-Being. 41 Becoming Whole: The Positive Value of Negative Emotions. Part X Joy in Jewish Education. 42 Positive Psychology and Jewish Wisdom in the Classroom: A Synergic Effect. 43 The Jewish Value of Joy and Positive Education. 44 Joy and Parenting: Partners or Paradox?. 45 Building the Joyful Classroom. 46 Three Paths to Joy: Noble Sacrifice, Inner Peace, and Covenantal Community.

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This book contains a systematic description of the theologies of Colin E. Gunton (1941‑2003) and Oswald Bayer (b. 1939). Their use of the doctrine of creation in systematic theology has remarkable consequences for late-modern theological ethics. This book explores those consequences from the example of the theological doctrine of marriage. The author also contributes to the ecumenical debate by building on the Neo-Calvinist theological heritage.

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Book SynopsisHannah M Cotton’s collected papers focus on questions which have fascinated her for over four decades: the concrete relationships between law, language, administration and everyday life in Judaea and Nabataea in particular, and in the Roman world as a whole. Many of the papers, especially those devoted to the Judean Desert documents of the 2nd century CE have been widely cited. Others, having appeared in less accessible publications, may not have received the attention they deserve.　 On the whole, rather than addressing the grand narratives of world or national history, they look at the texture of life, seeking to provide tentative answers to historical questions and interpretations by paying fine attention to the details of literary and, especially, documentary evidence. Taken together they illuminate fundamental, often legal, questions concerning daily life and the exercise of Roman rule and administration in the early imperial period, and especially, their impact on life as it was lived in the province and the period where Roman and Jewish history fatefully intersected. The volume includes a complete bibliography of her publications. 　 　

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Die editio princeps des bislang lediglich in unvollständiger koptischer Übertragung zugänglichen Traktats Vom Mysterium der Buchstaben (Mitte 6. Jh.) erschließt ein einzigartiges Dokument frühbyzantinischen monastischen Schrifttums. Aufbauend auf und gleichzeitig in Abgrenzung von jüdischen Traditionen zur geheimen Bedeutung der hebräischen Buchstaben, entwickelt der Autor des Werkes – angeblich Sabas von Jerusalem, vermutlich jedoch eher ein kalligraphisch interessierter Anhänger dieses Heiligen – eine christliche Interpretation des griechischen Alphabets, vom Alpha bis zum Omega. Um das Werk kulturgeschichtlich zu verorten, werden in der Einführung neben einer inhaltlichen Analyse des Textes verschiedene Spielarten der symbolischen Ausdeutung von Buchstaben in jüdischem und christlichem Kontext dargestellt. Dem kritischen Text ist eine deutsche Übersetzung beigegeben, inhaltliche und philologische Anmerkungen zu einzelnen Textstellen vertiefen das Verständnis des Werkes.

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Book SynopsisThe focus of this book is on early Jewish interpretations of the ambiguous relationship between God and ‛the angel of the Lord/God’ in texts like Genesis 16, 22 and 31. Genesis 32 is included since it exhibits the same ambiguity and constitutes an inseparable part of the Jacob saga. The study is set in the wider context of the development of angelology and concepts of God in various forms of early Judaism. When identifying patterns of interpretation in Jewish texts, their chronological setting is less important than the nature of the biblical source texts. For example, a common pattern is the avoidance of anthropomorphism. In Genesis ‛the angel of the Lord’ generally seems to be a kind of impersonal extension of God, while later Jewish writings are characterized by a more individualized angelology, but the ambivalence between God and his angel remains in many interpretations. In Philo's works and Wisdom of Solomon, the ‛Logos’ and ‛Lady Wisdom’ respectively have assumed the role of the biblical ‛angel of the Lord’. Although the angelology of Second Temple Judaism had developed in the direction of seeing angels as distinct personalities, Judaism still had room for the idea of divine hypostases.

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Book SynopsisThis monograph re-evaluates the literary development of 2 Kings 9–10 within the context of the Deuteronomistic History. This undertaking opens with a thorough text and literary critical examination of the pericope, arriving at the conclusion that the narrative of 2 Kings 9–10 represents neither an insertion into the Deuteronomistic corpus, nor an independent literary tradition. Rather, when considering the Greek textual traditions of the biblical narrative (most especially B and Ant.), one can appreciate the narrative of Jehu’s revolution within the literary context of an extensive politically motivated narrative about the Israelite monarchy covering the period from the reigns of Jeroboam I to Jeroboam II. The identification of this pro-Jehuide source within the book of Kings enables a reliable dating into the 8th century BCE for much of the material in Kings focusing on the Northern Kingdom. Comparing this biblical narrative to other (mostly Mesopotamian and Syrian) texts relevant to Israelite history of the period advances the discourse about the veracity of the biblical narrative when contrasted with extrabiblical traditions and permits the plausible reconstruction of Israelite history spanning the 8th and 9th centuries BCE.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first biography in English of Johann Reuchlin (1455-1522), based upon the new critical edition of his correspondence. Reuchlin became most famous as the Catholic defender of Jewish books at the beginning of the 16th century, clarifying the Catholic Church’s position toward the Jews. The book contributes to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration on Relations with the Jews of the Second Vatican Council in 1965. Franz Posset, PhD, Dipl.-Theol., is internationally known as Catholic Luther scholar, specializing in the theology and history of the Renaissance and Reformation, author of Pater Bernhardus: Martin Luther and Bernard of Clairvaux (1999), The Front-Runner of the Catholic Reformation (on Johann von Staupitz) (2003), Renaissance Monks (2005), The Real Luther (2011), Marcus Marulus and the Biblia Latina of 1489 (2013), and a book in German, Unser Martin. Martin Luther aus der Sicht katholischer Sympathisanten (2015).

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisIn a work that casts philosophical and theological reflections against a backdrop of personal experience, Leon Wiener Dow offers a learned discourse that elucidates the telos of Jewish law and the philosophical-theological commitments that animate it. To the reader gazing upon the halakha from the outside, this book offers a glimpse of its central, orienting concepts. To the reader who lives amidst the rigor of halakha, this book bestows an insightful glance at the law’s orienting ethos and higher aspirations that often remain opaque.Trade Review“In its depth and breadth, this work is theologically stunning. … Its erudition, sophistication, and verve testify that halakhah is neither only an object of study nor a paved highway but, rather, a path that, in its being traveled, is constantly redirected in view of divine command and human experience.” (Yonatan Y. Brafman, Journal of Jewish Ethics, Vol. 5 (2), 2019)Table of Contents1. Beginnings2. Saying, Writing, Doing3. Shared Spacetime: Community4. The IneffableEpilogue. Parting ways

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Book SynopsisDieser multidisziplinäre Band vereint Forschungsarbeiten zu verschiedenen Aspekten der jüdisch-muslimischen Beziehungen, des Austauschs und der Koexistenz im Laufe der Zeit, darunter das Rätsel der abrahamitischen Tradition, Juden im Koran und im Hadith, Ibn al-'Arabi und die Kabbala, vergleichende feministische Theologie, Juden, Christen, Muslime und das Barnabas-Evangelium, die Harmonisierung von Religion und Philosophie in Andalusien, Juden und Muslime im christlichen Spanien des Mittelalters, israelische Juden und muslimische und christliche Araber, die jüdisch-muslimische Koexistenz auf Zypern, muslimisch-jüdische Dialoge in Berlin und Barcelona, jüdisch-christlich-muslimische Triloge und Teleologie, jüdische und muslimische Speisegesetze sowie jüdische und muslimische Integration in der Schweiz und in Deutschland.Table of ContentsWas verbirgt sich hinter einem Namen? Die Bedeutung von "abrahamitisch" für die Beziehungen zwischen Juden, Christen und Muslimen.- Die Juden im Qur'an.- Die Juden und der Hadith: Ein zeitgenössischer Versuch einer hermeneutischen Interpretation.- Zwischen mythischem Gedankengut und Philosophie: Prolegomena zu einer vergleichenden Studie der jüdischen und islamischen Mystik im mittelalterlichen Spanien.- Theologische Modelle des religiösen Pluralismus: Historische Vorläufer, zeitgenössische Trends und neue Möglichkeiten.- Ein "jüdisch-christlich-muslimisches Sammelsurium"? Über das "islamische" Barnabasevangelium und die jüdische Literatur.- Philosophische Perspektiven zum Verhältnis von Religion und Wissenschaft: Averroes, Maimonides, Thomas Aquin und Galilei.- Spezifische Aspekte der Koexistenz zwischen Juden und Muslimen im mittelalterlichen Spanien: Zwischen iura propria und ius commune.- Die zurückhaltende Politik Karls V. bei der Anwendung der Gesetzgebung für Morisken aus dem Königreich Granada.- Vielfalt im Islam: Das Verhältnis zwischen Muslimen und Juden in Israel.- Juden und Muslime in Zypern: Positive Aspekte der Koexistenz.- Salam Shalom Barcelona, ist ein muslimisch-jüdischer Dialog möglich?- Die Bedeutung der jüdisch-muslimischen Beziehungen in Europa für die christliche Erziehung: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen eines Drei-Wege-Gesprächs.- Ernährungsgesetze als Mittel der Entflechtung und Abgrenzung.- "Integration"-Überlegungen zu einem europäischen Konzept von Minderheitenpolitik aus europäisch-jüdischer Perspektive.

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