Description
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis inspiring book has made me a better Jew, one who understands more, who knows more. No wonder Rabbi Bayfield enjoys such a high intellectual reputation. -- Daniel Finkelstein
This remarkable book takes us on a journey: geographic, historical, cultural, philosophical, political, autobiographical and, yes, religious. One can almost hear the wise, warm, witty voice of Tony Bayfield; his humanity suffuses the entire volume. For Jew and non-Jew alike there is so much here to satisfy curiosity and promote understanding. -- Michael Marmot
A deeply humane, learned and personal reflection on Jewish identity, full of insights and challenges for non-Jews. At this time of resurgent prejudice, it is crucial to have books like this to keep mind and conscience awake. -- Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury
Brilliant – clear but erudite, entertaining but weighty, personal but universal -- Rebecca Front, actress
Mesmerizing, intelligent, honest, Rabbi Bayfield movingly opens the soul of the reader to the religious depths of his work. This book is a treasure. -- David Ellenson, Chancellor Emeritus of Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion
Written with engaging humor, intellectual openness and humility,
Being Jewish Today delivers just what the title promises: a
thoughtful and inviting statement of what it means to be a Jew in today’s complicated world. While entirely relevant to American Jews, it also provides an interesting window into some of the differences between the American and British Jewish situations -- Judith Plaskow, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, Manhattan College and author of Standing Again at Sinai
Rabbi Professor Tony Bayfield has produced a
magnum opus for our time -- Deborah Kahn-Harris, Rabbi and Principal, Leo Baeck College
A wonderful new book … The theme of Rabbi Bayfield’s book is how to understand Judaism now that science and modern sensibility has changed the way we look at the world. And this addresses problems I struggle with all the time … Rabbi Bayfield deals with all this with great sensitivity. -- Daniel Finkelstein * Jewish Chronicle *
Tony Bayfield, a theologian and former head of the Movement for Reform Judaism, reflects on the universal dimensions of Judaism and those parts concerned with Jewish identity. * Financial Times *
British Jews rarely produce theology that demands to be read. Tony Bayfield has … In attempting to answer the perplexities and uncertainties of contemporary life,
Being Jewish Today is part of the Jewish quest for meaning, for Torah. Rabbi Bayfield has done a great service by bringing it to light. -- Harry Freedman * Jewish Chronicle *
This is a book that will reward careful reading and rereading … A work that will enrich one’s understanding of what it is to be a Jewish believer, fully engaged with the challenges and ideas of today’s world.
Being Jewish Today will find its place among the significant Jewish books of our time. * Jerusalem Post *
Table of ContentsPreface: Our starting point: journeying through a shared world PART ONE - BEING BOTH JEW AND JEWISH TODAY: YOU CAN'T IGNORE THE CONTEXT 1 The particular journey 2 The shared context
PART TWO - BEING A JEW TODAY: IDENTITY AND PEOPLEHOOD 3 Israel as People 4 Israel as Land
PART THREE - JUDAISM TODAY: LIGHT AND WEIGHT 5 Torah: Judaism's unique selling point 6 Covenant theology: Halakhah, law 7 Covenant theology: Aggadah, ethics
PART FOUR - JEWISH FAITH TODAY: GOD, SUFFERING AND SILENCE 8 Fragments after the devastation 9 My God, my god - what kind of God are you? 10 Life beyond death: Individual survival and messianic hope
Glossary Jewish thinkers contributing to this book Notes Acknowledgements Index A Note on the Author Cover Artwork: Mark Rothko, Untitled, c.1950-2
