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| the jewish philosophy reader: The Jewish Philosophy Reader Daniel H. Frank, Oliver Leaman, Charles Harry Manekin, 2000 A Chomprehensive anthology of classic writings on Jewish philosophy from the Bible to postmodernism. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: History of Jewish Philosophy Daniel Frank, Oliver Leaman, 2005-10-20 Jewish philosophy is often presented as an addendum to Jewish religion rather than as a rich and varied tradition in its own right, but the History of Jewish Philosophy explores the entire scope and variety of Jewish philosophy from philosophical interpretations of the Bible right up to contemporary Jewish feminist and postmodernist thought. The links between Jewish philosophy and its wider cultural context are stressed, building up a comprehensive and historically sensitive view of Jewish philosophy and its place in the development of philosophy as a whole. Includes: · Detailed discussions of the most important Jewish philosophers and philosophical movements · Descriptions of the social and cultural contexts in which Jewish philosophical thought developed throughout the centuries · Contributions by 35 leading scholars in the field, from Britain, Canada, Israel and the US · Detailed and extensive bibliographies |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Cambridge History of Jewish Philosophy Steven M. Nadler, Tamar Rudavsky, Martin Kavka, Zachary Braiterman, David Novak, 2009 Provides a comprehensive overview of Jewish philosophy from the seventeenth century to the present day. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Jewish Philosophy as a Guide to Life Hilary Putnam, 2008-02-19 An “engagingly personal” exploration of Rosenzweig, Buber, Levinas, and the relationship between philosophy and religion (Times Literary Supplement). In this book, distinguished philosopher and practicing Jew Hilary Putnam questions the thought of three major Jewish philosophers of the twentieth century—Franz Rosenzweig, Martin Buber, and Emmanuel Levinas—to help him reconcile the philosophical and religious sides of his life. An additional presence in the book is Ludwig Wittgenstein, who, although not a practicing Jew, thought about religion in ways that Putnam juxtaposes to the views of Rosenzweig, Buber, and Levinas. Putnam explains the leading ideas of each of these great thinkers, bringing out what, in his opinion, constitutes the decisive intellectual and spiritual contributions of each of them. Although the religion discussed is Judaism, the depth and originality of these philosophers, as incisively interpreted by Putnam, make their thought nothing less than a guide to life. “One of the most distinguished analytical philosophers, Putnam has written an unusual book that uses the thought of key philosophers to find points of commonality between the religious and the philosophical.” —Library Journal |
| the jewish philosophy reader: A History of Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages Colette Sirat, 1990-11-30 Jewish medieval philosophy has formed the subject of much research over the past thirty years since the appearance of Gutmann's Philosophies of Judaism, resulting in greater understanding and a new need for summation. This important work, now available in paperback, aims to supply that need, and devotes ample discussion to the major figures of the period like Saadiah Gaon, Maimonides, Abraham Ibn Ezra and Judah Halevi. It also gives much attention to the discussion and presentation of texts by lesser known authors clustering around the greater men and movements. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Cambridge Companion to Modern Jewish Philosophy Michael L. Morgan, Peter Eli Gordon, 2007-06-04 Modern Jewish philosophy emerged in the seventeenth century, with the impact of the new science and modern philosophy on thinkers who were reflecting upon the nature of Judaism and Jewish life. This collection of essays examines the work of several of the most important of these figures, from the seventeenth to the late-twentieth centuries, and addresses themes central to the tradition of modern Jewish philosophy: language and revelation, autonomy and authority, the problem of evil, messianism, the influence of Kant, and feminism. Included are essays on Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Cohen, Buber, Rosenzweig, Fackenheim, Soloveitchik, Strauss, and Levinas. Other thinkers discussed include Maimon, Benjamin, Derrida, Scholem, and Arendt. The sixteen original essays are written by a world-renowned group of scholars especially for this volume and give a broad and rich picture of the tradition of modern Jewish philosophy over a period of four centuries. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Cambridge Companion to Medieval Jewish Philosophy Daniel H. Frank, Oliver Leaman, 2003-09-11 From the ninth to the fifteenth centuries Jewish thinkers living in Islamic and Christian lands philosophized about Judaism. Influenced first by Islamic theological speculation and the great philosophers of classical antiquity, and then in the late medieval period by Christian Scholasticism, Jewish philosophers and scientists reflected on the nature of language about God, the scope and limits of human understanding, the eternity or createdness of the world, prophecy and divine providence, the possibility of human freedom, and the relationship between divine and human law. Though many viewed philosophy as a dangerous threat, others incorporated it into their understanding of what it is to be a Jew. This Companion presents all the major Jewish thinkers of the period, the philosophical and non-philosophical contexts of their thought, and the interactions between Jewish and non-Jewish philosophers. It is a comprehensive introduction to a vital period of Jewish intellectual history. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Modern Jewish Thinkers Gershon Greenberg, 2011 Greenberg restructures the history of modern Jewish thought comprehensively, providing first-time English translations of Reggio, Krokhmal, Maimon, Samuel Hirsch, Formstecher, Steinheim, Ascher, Einhorn, Samuel David Luzzatto, and Hermann Cohen. The availability of these sources fills a gap in the field and stimulates new directions for teaching and scholarly research in modern Jewish thought. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Jewish Philosophy and the Crisis of Modernity Leo Strauss, 2012-02-01 This is the first book to bring together the major essays and lectures of Leo Strauss in the field of modern Jewish thought. It contains some of his most famous published writings, as well as significant writings which were previously unpublished. Spanning almost 30 years of continuously deepening reflection, the book presents the full range of Strauss's contributions as a modern Jewish thinker. These essays and lectures also offer Strauss's mature considerations of some of the great figures in modern Jewish thought, such as Baruch Spinoza, Hermann Cohen, Franz Rosenzweig, Martin Buber, Theodor Herzl, and Sigmund Freud. They also encompass his incisive analyses and original explorations of modern Judaism (which he viewed as caught in the grip of the theological-political crisis): from German Jewry, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust to Zionism and the State of Israel; from the question of assimilation to the meaning and value of Jewish history. In addition Strauss's two sustained interpretations of the Hebrew Bible are also reprinted. These essays and lectures cumulatively point toward the postcritical reconstruction of Judaism which Strauss envisioned, suggesting it rebuild along Maimonidean lines. Thus, the book lends credence to the view that Strauss was able to uncover and probe the crisis at the heart of modern Jewish thought and history, perhaps with greater profundity than any other contemporary Jewish thinker. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Jewish God Question Andrew Pessin, 2018-11-15 This book shares what a diverse array of Jewish thinkers have said about the interrelated questions of God, the Book, the Jewish people, and the Land of Israel. Accessible chapters present fascinating insights from ancient times to today, from Philo to Judith Plaskow. An intriguing and provocative book for readers wrestling with big questions. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy Isaac Husik, 1916 |
| the jewish philosophy reader: A Covenant of Creatures Michael Fagenblat, 2010-06-03 I am not a particularly Jewish thinker, said Emmanuel Levinas, I am just a thinker. This book argues against the idea, affirmed by Levinas himself, that Totality and Infinity and Otherwise Than Being separate philosophy from Judaism. By reading Levinas's philosophical works through the prism of Judaic texts and ideas, Michael Fagenblat argues that what Levinas called ethics is as much a hermeneutical product wrought from the Judaic heritage as a series of phenomenological observations. Decoding the Levinas's philosophy of Judaism within a Heideggerian and Pauline framework, Fagenblat uses biblical, rabbinic, and Maimonidean texts to provide sustained interpretations of the philosopher's work. Ultimately he calls for a reconsideration of the relation between tradition and philosophy, and of the meaning of faith after the death of epistemology. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Medieval Philosophy Bruce Foltz, 2019-02-21 Medieval Philosophy: A Multicultural Reader comprises a comparative, multicultural reading of the four main traditions of the medieval period with extensive sections on Greek-Byzantine, Latin, Jewish, and Islamic traditions. The book also includes an initial 'Predecessors' section, presenting readings (with introductions) from figures of antiquity upon whom all four traditions have drawn. Representative readings from each of the four great traditions are presented chronologically in four different tracks, along with engaging and accessible introductions to the traditions themselves, as well as each individual thinker-all selected and presented by noted scholars within each respective tradition. This groundbreaking collection: -Offers readings from early thinkers that contextualize the medieval traditions. -Presents, for the first time, extensive readings from the Byzantine Christian tradition that has wielded an important cultural influence from Russia and the Balkans to the Middle East and Northern Africa. -Chooses and interprets texts that are integrally important within each of these four traditions–living traditions that continue to shape values and beliefs today–rather than seen from an external point of view, such as that of a later school of philosophy. -Juxtaposes extensive readings from poetic and mystical elements within these traditions alongside the usual, often more analytical readings. -Features a timeline of the entire period, a map indicating the locations associated with philosophers included in this volume, an annotated guide to further reading on each of these traditions, and an index of names and of subjects that appear in the volume. Given its relevance for approaching the medieval world on its own terms, as well as for understanding the foundations of our own world, the volume is intended not only as an academic textbook and reference work, but as a readable and informative guide for the general reader who wishes to understand these great philosophical and religious traditions that continue to influence our world today-or perhaps to simply glean the wisdom from these enduring texts. This is a culturally inclusive title, which seeks to provide the reader with a rich, varied and comprehensive insight into the entirety of the medieval philosophical world. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Spinoza’s Challenge to Jewish Thought Daniel B. Schwartz, 2019-03-15 Arguably, no historical thinker has had as varied and fractious a reception within modern Judaism as Baruch (Benedict) Spinoza (1632–77), the seventeenth-century philosopher, pioneering biblical critic, and Jewish heretic from Amsterdam. Revered in many circles as the patron saint of secular Jewishness, he has also been branded as the worst traitor to the Jewish people in modern times. Jewish philosophy has cast Spinoza as marking a turning point between the old and the new, as a radicalizer of the medieval tradition and table setter for the modern. He has served as a perennial landmark and point of reference in the construction of modern Jewish identity. This volume brings together excerpts from central works in the Jewish response to Spinoza. True to the diversity of Spinoza’s Jewish reception, it features a mix of genres, from philosophical criticism to historical fiction, from tributes to diary entries, providing the reader with a sense of the overall historical development of Spinoza’s posthumous legacy. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages Raphael Jospe, 2009 Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages presents an overview of the formative period of medieval Jewish philosophy, from its beginnings with Saadiah Gaon to its apex in Maimonides, when Jews living in Islamic countries and writing in Arabic were the first to develop a conscious and continuous tradition of philosophy.The book includes a dictionary of selected philosophic terms, and discusses the Greek and Arabic schools of thought that influenced the Jewish thinkers and to which they responded. The discussion covers: the nature of Jewish philosophy, Saadiah Gaon and the Kalam, Jewish Neo-Platonism, Bahya ibn Paqudah, Abraham ibn Ezra's philosophical Bible exegesis, Judah Ha-Levi's critique of philosophy, Abraham ibn Daud and the transition to Aristotelianism, Maimonides, and the controversy over Maimonides and philosophy. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Introduction to World Philosophy Daniel A. Bonevac, Stephen H. Phillips, 2009 Featuring selections from around the globe, Introduction to World Philosophy: A Multicultural Reader provides a diverse and engaging introduction to five key areas of philosophy: ethics, philosophy of mind and self, epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophical theology. The editors have arranged these topics according to their increasing complexity--from the most concrete (ethics) to the most theoretical (philosophical theology)--making the material as accessible as possible for students. Organized both chronologically and geographically, the anthology's five parts include readings from Indian, Chinese, Greek, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Spanish, Latin-American, and African traditions, as well as selections from early modern, Kantian, and post-Kantian philosophy. Introduction to World Philosophy contains 136 selections (24 by women), organized into 25 chapters; these chapters are divided into 93 sections, each of which opens with a detailed introduction that prepares students for the readings that follow. The parts and chapters can be used in any order and in any combination. The text's unique modular structure gives instructors great flexibility in designing and teaching introduction to philosophy courses. T |
| the jewish philosophy reader: An Introduction to Medieval Jewish Philosophy Daniel Rynhold, 2009-04-15 Focusing on the central philosophical questions of the Middle Ages, Daniel Rynhold offers a concise introduction to topics such as God and creation, human freewill, biblical prophecy, the Commandments, the divine attributes and immortality. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Cambridge History of Jewish Philosophy Steven Nadler, Steven M. Nadler, T. M. Rudavsky, Tamar Rudavsky, Martin Kavka, Zachary Braiterman, David Novak, 2009 This volume surveys the history of Jewish philosophy from antiquity to the early modern period, with an emphasis on medieval Jewish thought. Unlike other reference works, this volume is organized by topic rather than chronology. It includes contributions from leading scholars in the field. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Thinking about the Prophets Kenneth Seeskin, 2020-09-01 Rethinking the great literary prophets whose ministry ran from the eighth to the sixth centuries BCE—Amos, Hosea, First Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Second Isaiah, and Job—Thinking about the Prophets examines their often-shocking teachings in light of their times, their influence on later Western and Jewish thinkers, and their enduring lessons for all of us. As a noted scholar of Jewish philosophy, Kenneth Seeskin teases out philosophical, ethical, and theological questions in the writings, such as the nature of moral reasoning, the divine persona, divine providence, the suffering of the innocent, the power of repentance, and what it means to believe in a monotheistic conception of God. Seeskin demonstrates that great ideas are not limited by time or place, but rather once put forth, take on a life of their own. Thus he interweaves the medieval and modern philosophers Maimonides, Kant, Cohen, Buber, Levinas, Heschel, and Soloveitchik, all of whom read the prophets and had important things to say as a result. We come to see the prophets perhaps in equal measure as divinely authorized whistle-blowers and profound thinkers of the human condition. Readers of all levels will find this volume an accessible and provoking introduction to the enduring significance of biblical prophecy. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Judaism And Environmental Ethics Martin D. Yaffe, 2002-05-09 Martin D. Yaffe's Judaism and Environmental Ethics: A Reader is a well-conceived exploration of three interrelated questions: Does the Hebrew Bible, or subsequent Jewish tradition, teach environmental responsibility or not? What Jewish teachings, if any, appropriately address today's environmental crisis? Do ecology, Judaism, and philosophy work together, or are they at odds with each other in confronting the current crisis? Yaffe's extensive introduction analyzes and appraises the anthologized essays, each of which serves to deepen and enrich our understanding of current reflection on Judaism and environmental ethics. Brought together in one volume for the first time, the most important scholars in the field touch on diverse disciplines including deep ecology, political philosophy, and biblical hermeneutics. This ambitious book illustrates—precisely because of its interdisciplinary focus—how longstanding disagreements and controversies may spark further interchange among ecologists, Jews, and philosophers. Both accessible and thoroughly scholarly, this dialogue will benefit anyone interested in ethical and religious considerations of contemporary ecology. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Jewish Thought Oliver Leaman, 2006-09-27 This fresh and contemporary introduction to the Jewish faith, its philosophies and worldviews, explores debates which have preoccupied Jewish thinkers over the centuries and examines their continuing influence in contemporary Judaism. Written by Oliver Leaman, a leading figure in the field, the book surveys the central controversies in Judaism, including the protracted arguments within the religion itself. Topics range from the relations between Judaism and other religions, such as Islam and Christianity, to contemporary issues such as sex, gender and modernity. Central themes such as authority and obedience, the relations between Jewish and Greek thought, and the position and status of the State of Israel are also considered. The debates are further illustrated by reference to the Bible, as a profoundly realistic text in describing the long interaction between the Jews, their ancestors and God, as well as discussions about major thinkers, and passages from the ancient texts: The Mishnah, Talmud and Midrash. Oliver Leaman’s lively approach and light touch makes Jewish Thought ideal reading for anyone who wants to understand more about the Jewish faith and its outlook, past and present. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Ancient Jewish Philosophy Israel Efros, 1964 |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Book of Job in Medieval Jewish Philosophy Robert Eisen, 2004-09-16 Analyzes the history of the interpretation of the Book of Job by medieval Jewish exegetes. The author offers an examination of commentaries on Job written by six major thinkers. He looks at the relationship between the commentaries and their antecedent sources, as well as their relationship to the broader context of medieval Jewish thought. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: How Judaism Became a Religion Leora Batnitzky, 2011-08-22 A new approach to understanding Jewish thought since the eighteenth century Is Judaism a religion, a culture, a nationality—or a mixture of all of these? In How Judaism Became a Religion, Leora Batnitzky boldly argues that this question more than any other has driven modern Jewish thought since the eighteenth century. This wide-ranging and lucid introduction tells the story of how Judaism came to be defined as a religion in the modern period—and why Jewish thinkers have fought as well as championed this idea. Ever since the Enlightenment, Jewish thinkers have debated whether and how Judaism—largely a religion of practice and public adherence to law—can fit into a modern, Protestant conception of religion as an individual and private matter of belief or faith. Batnitzky makes the novel argument that it is this clash between the modern category of religion and Judaism that is responsible for much of the creative tension in modern Jewish thought. Tracing how the idea of Jewish religion has been defended and resisted from the eighteenth century to today, the book discusses many of the major Jewish thinkers of the past three centuries, including Moses Mendelssohn, Abraham Geiger, Hermann Cohen, Martin Buber, Zvi Yehuda Kook, Theodor Herzl, and Mordecai Kaplan. At the same time, it tells the story of modern orthodoxy, the German-Jewish renaissance, Jewish religion after the Holocaust, the emergence of the Jewish individual, the birth of Jewish nationalism, and Jewish religion in America. More than an introduction, How Judaism Became a Religion presents a compelling new perspective on the history of modern Jewish thought. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Jewish Philosophy and the Academy International Center for University Teaching of Jewish Civilization, 1996 Jewish Philosophy and the Academy reflects in broad terms on the current state of Jewish philosophy in the university. This generation of university teachers lives at a unique historic junction. It is the last to be taught by the giants of European Wissenschaft des Judentums and the first to experience the remarkable expansion of Judaic scholarship in Israel and abroad. Emil Fackenheim suggests that if we are indebted to Athens for the philosophical method, we are also indebted to Jerusalem for the ethical content of philosophy, which is both an intellectual and a moral challenge. This dual challenge shapes the diverse papers in this volume.--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Roads to the Palace Michael Rosenak, 1995 Is Jewish education simply an ancient and archaic type of socialization into customs and ceremonies or a sophisticated practice, based on rich cultural conceptions of the educated individual, the decent society and the relationship of knowledge and virtue? This author, rather than offering a dry analysis, takes the reader on a leisurely yet careful excursion into the world of Jewish tradition in order to discover models of the educated human being within it. In the process, the reader discovers dialogues between Western philosophy and Talmudic Midrash and is offered a fresh view of culture, faith and identity. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: A Book of Jewish Thoughts Joseph Herman Hertz, 1922 |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Secret of the Jews David Ben Moshe, David Morrison, 2008 Explain why so many American Jews are deeply uncomfortable with this outpouring of Christian support. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: American Jewish Thought Since 1934 Michael Marmur, David Ellenson, 2020-05-22 Intro -- Contents -- Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- I. God -- 1. Mordecai M. Kaplan, The Future of the American Jew -- 2. Abraham Joshua Heschel, Man Is Not Alone -- 3. Hans Jonas, The Concept of God After Auschwitz: A Jewish Voice -- 4. Richard L. Rubenstein, After Auschwitz -- 5. Eliezer Berkovits, Faith After the Holocaust -- 6. Erich Fromm, You Shall Be as Gods -- 7. Marcia Falk, Notes on Composing New Blessings: Toward a Feminist-Jewish Reconstruction of Prayer -- 8. Edward L. Greenstein, 'To You Do I Call': A Critique of Impersonal Prayer -- 9. Sandra B. Lubarsky, Reconstructing Divine Power -- 10. Rebecca Alpert, Location, Location, Location: Toward a Theology of Prepositions -- II. Revelation and Commandment -- 11. Marvin Fox, The Condition of Jewish Belief -- 12. Aharon Lichtenstein, The Condition of Jewish Belief -- 13. Will Herberg, Judaism and Modern Man -- 14. Jakob J. Petuchowski, Revelation and the Modern Jew -- 15. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Halakhic Man -- 16. Benjamin H. Sommer, Revelation and Authority -- 17. Tamar Ross, Expanding the Palace of Torah -- 18. Eugene B. Borowitz, Renewing the Covenant -- 19. Susan Handelman, 'Crossing and Recrossing the Void' -- 20. David Novak, Is the Covenant a Bilateral Relationship? -- 21. Rachel Adler, Engendering Judaism -- 22. Mara H. Benjamin, The Obligated Self -- III. Spirituality -- 23. Arnold Jacob Wolf, Against Spirituality -- 24. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Halakhic Man -- 25. Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath -- 26. Arthur Green, Jewish Spirituality/Seek My Face, Speak My Name -- 27. Daniel C. Matt, God and the Big Bang -- 28. Zalman Schachter- Shalomi, Paradigm Shift -- 29. Marcia Prager, The Path of Blessing -- 30. Nancy Flam, Healing the Spirit -- 31. Arthur Waskow, Down- to-Earth Judaism -- 32. Sheila Weinberg, Images of God: Closeness and Power. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Contemporary Jewish Thought Simon Noveck, 1973 |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Feminist Philosophy Reader Alison Bailey, Chris Cuomo, 2008 The most comprehensive anthology of feminist philosophy available, this first edition reader brings together over 55 of the most influential and time-tested works to have been published in the field of feminist philosophy. Featuring perspectives from across the philosophical spectrum, and from an array of different cultural vantage points, it displays the incredible range, diversity, and depth of feminist writing on fundamental issues, from the early second wave to the present. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Philosophy of Death Reader Markar Melkonian, 2019-02-21 The Philosophy of Death Reader brings together pivotal readings from over the centuries and across the continents. Covering Vedanta, the ancient Greeks, the Buddhist tradition, Christian eschatology, and recent analytic philosophy, the twenty-four readings are organized around central metaphysical questions ranging from whether the soul is immortal to whether immortality is at all desirable. -- From publisher's description. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture Yoram Hazony, 2012-07-30 This book offers a new framework for reading the Bible as a work of reason. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Autobiography of Solomon Maimon Solomon Maimon, 2020-03-03 The first complete and annotated English translation of Maimon's influential and delightfully entertaining memoir. Solomon Maimon's autobiography has delighted readers for more than two hundred years, from Goethe, Schiller, and George Eliot to Walter Benjamin and Hannah Arendt. The American poet and critic Adam Kirsch has named it one of the most crucial Jewish books of modern times. Here is the first complete and annotated English edition of this enduring and lively work. Born into a down-on-its-luck provincial Jewish family in 1753, Maimon quickly distinguished himself as a prodigy in learning. Even as a young child, he chafed at the constraints of his Talmudic education and rabbinical training. He recounts how he sought stimulation in the Hasidic community and among students of the Kabbalah--and offers rare and often wickedly funny accounts of both. After a series of picaresque misadventures, Maimon reached Berlin, where he became part of the city's famed Jewish Enlightenment and achieved the philosophical education he so desperately wanted, winning acclaim for being the sharpest of Kant's critics, as Kant himself described him. This new edition restores text cut from the abridged 1888 translation by J. Clark Murray, which has long been the only available English edition. Paul Reitter's translation is brilliantly sensitive to the subtleties of Maimon's prose while providing a fluid rendering that contemporary readers will enjoy, and is accompanied by an introduction and notes by Yitzhak Melamed and Abraham Socher that give invaluable insights into Maimon and his extraordinary life. The book also features an afterword by Gideon Freudenthal that provides an authoritative overview of Maimon's contribution to modern philosophy. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Evil and Suffering in Jewish Philosophy Oliver Leaman, 1995 The problems of evil and suffering have been extensively discussed in Jewish philosophy, and much of the discussion has centred on the Book of Job. In this new study Oliver Leaman poses two questions: how can a powerful and caring deity allow terrible things to happen to obviously innocent people, and why has the Jewish people been so harshly treated throughout history, given its status as the chosen people? He explores these issues through an analysis of the views of Philo, Saadya, Maimonides, Gersonides, Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Hermann Cohen, Buber, Rosenzweig, and post-Holocaust thinkers, and suggests that a discussion of evil and suffering is really a discussion about our relationship with God. The Book of Job is thus both the point of departure and the point of return. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader Daniel M. Horwitz, 2016-04 An unprecedented annotated anthology of the most important Jewish mystical works, A Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism Reader is designed to facilitate teaching these works to all levels of learners in adult education and college classroom settings. Daniel M. Horwitz's insightful introductions and commentary accompany readings in the Talmud and Zohar and writings by Ba'al Shem Tov, Rav Kook, Abraham Joshua Heschel, and others. Horwitz's introduction describes five major types of Jewish mysticism and includes a brief chronology of their development, with a timeline. He begins with biblical prophecy and proceeds through the early mystical movements up through current beliefs. Chapters on key subjects characterize mystical expression through the ages, such as Creation and deveikut (cleaving to God); the role of Torah; the erotic; inclinations toward good and evil; magic; prayer and ritual; and more. Later chapters deal with Hasidism, the great mystical revival, and twentieth-century mystics, including Abraham Isaac Kook, Kalonymous Kalman Shapira, and Abraham Joshua Heschel. A final chapter addresses today's controversies concerning mysticism's place within Judaism and its potential for enriching the Jewish religion. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Maimonides Moshe Halbertal, 2015-06-02 A comprehensive and accessible account of the life and thought of Judaism's most celebrated philosopher Maimonides was the greatest Jewish philosopher and legal scholar of the medieval period, a towering figure who has had a profound and lasting influence on Jewish law, philosophy, and religious consciousness. This book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to his life and work, revealing how his philosophical sensibility and outlook informed his interpretation of Jewish tradition. Moshe Halbertal vividly describes Maimonides's childhood in Muslim Spain, his family's flight to North Africa to escape persecution, and their eventual resettling in Egypt. He draws on Maimonides's letters and the testimonies of his contemporaries, both Muslims and Jews, to offer new insights into his personality and the circumstances that shaped his thinking. Halbertal then turns to Maimonides's legal and philosophical work, analyzing his three great books—Commentary on the Mishnah, the Mishneh Torah, and the Guide of the Perplexed. He discusses Maimonides's battle against all attempts to personify God, his conviction that God's presence in the world is mediated through the natural order rather than through miracles, and his locating of philosophy and science at the summit of the religious life of Torah. Halbertal examines Maimonides's philosophical positions on fundamental questions such as the nature and limits of religious language, creation and nature, prophecy, providence, the problem of evil, and the meaning of the commandments. A stunning achievement, Maimonides offers an unparalleled look at the life and thought of this important Jewish philosopher, scholar, and theologian. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: Medieval Jewish Philosophy Lavinia Cohn-Sherbok, Dan Cohn-Sherbok, 2014-03-05 Beginning with the earliest philosopher of the Middle Ages, Saadiah ben Joseph al-Fayyumi, this work surveys the writings of such figures as Solomon ben Joseph ibn Gabirol, Bahya ben Joseph ibn Pakuda, Abraham ben david Halevi ibn Daud, Judah Halevi, Moses Maimonides, Gersonides, Hasdai Crescas, Simon ben Zemah Duran, Joseph Albo, Isaac Arama, and Isaac Abrabanel. Throughout an attempt is made to place these thinkers in an historical context and describe their contributions to the history of Jewish medieval thought in simple and lucid terms. The book is directed to students enrolled in Jewish studies courses as well as to those who seek an awareness and appreciation of the riches of medieval Jewish philosophical tradition. |
| the jewish philosophy reader: The Latinx Philosophy Reader Lori Gallegos, Manuel Vargas, Francisco Gallegos, 2025-05-15 The Latinx Philosophy Reader showcases a wide range of significant philosophical works about Latinx people and their experiences, displaying the breadth, distinctiveness, originality, and diversity of Latinx philosophy. Readings include discussions of what it is like to be perceived as undocumented, ethical quagmires affecting those who interpret for their family members, the difficulty of pursuing career success without compromising one’s cultural identity and values, the nature of citizenship, disputes about labels, the significance of language, and debates about the nature of Latinx identity. The editors’ detailed introduction orients readers with an overview of the origins of the field of Latinx philosophy, a guide to terminology, and a history of the idea of Latinx identity in the United States. The volume’s 35 readings are made up of both widely read and cited articles from journals and books and newly commissioned contributions from the leading voices in the field. All of them are organized into seven thematic units in contemporary Latinx philosophy: Social Identity Mestizaje and Indigeneity Cross-Cultural Challenges Epistemology, Phenomenology, and Coloniality Language and Communication Immigration and Citizenship Metaphilosophy Each of these seven units includes its own introduction that connects each reading to the overarching themes of the unit and volume. Throughout, the readings provide an accessible entry point to readers who are new to philosophy. The texts generate opportunities for philosophical reflection without requiring readers to consult additional resources to grasp the major insights. They can be read in any order, allowing for ready adaptation to the particular interests of instructors and students. Key Features Includes accessible, previously published articles as well as newly commissioned contributions from leading voices in the field Foregrounds the explosion of more recent work on Latinx philosophy, while also including essential classic texts Provides a general introduction that contextualizes Latinx philosophy and explains its distinct and broader importance Includes seven smaller unit introductions that describe the importance and relevance of each reading in the unit Highlights a diversity of latinidades, or ways of being Latinx, portraying a range of Latinx experiences and concerns Provides reading and discussion questions for each chapter |
Jews - Wikipedia
Jews (Hebrew: יְהוּדִים , ISO 259-2: Yehudim, Israeli pronunciation:), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group [15] and nation, [16] originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and …
Jew | History, Beliefs, & Facts | Britannica
4 days ago · Jew, any person whose religion is Judaism. In a broader sense of the term, a Jew is any person belonging to the worldwide group that constitutes, through descent or conversion, …
Judaism: Founder, Beliefs & Facts | HISTORY
Jan 5, 2018 · Jewish people believe there’s only one God who has established a covenant—or special agreement—with them. Their God communicates to believers through prophets and …
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A Jew is anyone who was born of a Jewish mother, or has undergone conversion to Judaism according to halachah (Jewish law).
Judaism 101 (JewFAQ)
Apr 13, 2025 · Judaism 101 or "Jew FAQ" is an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs, written …
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According to Jewish law, a child born to a Jewish mother or an adult who has converted to Judaism is considered a Jew; one does not have to reaffirm their Jewishness or practice any …
My Jewish Learning - Judaism & Jewish Life | My Jewish Learning
3 days ago · Explore Jewish Life and Judaism at My Jewish Learning, your go-to source for Jewish holidays, rituals, celebrations, recipes, Torah, history, and more.
14 Facts About Jews and Judaism That Every Person Should Know
Anyone born to a Jewish mother is Jewish, regardless of one’s religious involvement or beliefs. A person can also become Jewish through conversion under the auspices of a recognized …
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So already by the first century CE, Jews seem to be identifying as Jewish and Alexandrian, Jewish and Roman, Jewish and Asian, Jewish and Syrian, Jewish and Macedonian — hybrid …
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Jun 9, 2025 · In the Middle East-North Africa region, Jews grew to a population of almost 7 million (up 18%). The number of Jewish residents also increased slightly in the Asia-Pacific region (up …
Jews - Wikipedia
Jews (Hebrew: יְהוּדִים , ISO 259-2: Yehudim, Israeli pronunciation:), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group [15] and nation, [16] originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and …
Jew | History, Beliefs, & Facts | Britannica
4 days ago · Jew, any person whose religion is Judaism. In a broader sense of the term, a Jew is any person belonging to the worldwide group that constitutes, through descent or conversion, …
Judaism: Founder, Beliefs & Facts | HISTORY
Jan 5, 2018 · Jewish people believe there’s only one God who has established a covenant—or special agreement—with them. Their God communicates to believers through prophets and …
What Is a Jew? - Solving the Mystery of Jewish Identity
A Jew is anyone who was born of a Jewish mother, or has undergone conversion to Judaism according to halachah (Jewish law).
Judaism 101 (JewFAQ)
Apr 13, 2025 · Judaism 101 or "Jew FAQ" is an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs, written …
Judaism: Who Is A Jew? - Jewish Virtual Library
According to Jewish law, a child born to a Jewish mother or an adult who has converted to Judaism is considered a Jew; one does not have to reaffirm their Jewishness or practice any …
My Jewish Learning - Judaism & Jewish Life | My Jewish Learning
3 days ago · Explore Jewish Life and Judaism at My Jewish Learning, your go-to source for Jewish holidays, rituals, celebrations, recipes, Torah, history, and more.
14 Facts About Jews and Judaism That Every Person Should Know
Anyone born to a Jewish mother is Jewish, regardless of one’s religious involvement or beliefs. A person can also become Jewish through conversion under the auspices of a recognized …
Judaism, Jewish history, and anti-Jewish prejudice: An overview
So already by the first century CE, Jews seem to be identifying as Jewish and Alexandrian, Jewish and Roman, Jewish and Asian, Jewish and Syrian, Jewish and Macedonian — hybrid …
8. Jewish population change - Pew Research Center
Jun 9, 2025 · In the Middle East-North Africa region, Jews grew to a population of almost 7 million (up 18%). The number of Jewish residents also increased slightly in the Asia-Pacific region (up …
