Judaism Examined


Book Description

This volume of essays examines key themes in Jewish philosophy and ethics from the rigorous perspective of philosophical analysis. The first set of essays takes up the challenge of living a Jewish life, and includes essays on pleasure, joy, human suffering, Jewish ritual practice and the philosophical life. The second set of essays analyzes the value and meaning of autonomy, human freedom and tolerance in Jewish thought, crucial themes in western political thought and life. Other essays in the volume examine the many meanings of Jewish texts, and such crucial issues in applied Jewish ethics as ecology, medical ethics, and justified homicide. Finally, a number of essays plumb the depths of one of the most influential and creative Jewish thinkers of the twentieth century, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Taken as a whole, this volume advances the engagement of classical Jewish themes with Anglo-American philosophy, shedding new light both on the Jewish tradition, and on the western philosophical enterprise.




An Understanding of Judaism


Book Description

This is the first of two volumes of edited sermons spanning the greater part of the second half of the twentieth century, and the first major collection of sermons from a Liberal Jewish point ofview produced in Britain since Claude G. Montefiore's Truth in Religion of 1906. It combines forthrightly radical thinking with spirituality, love of Jewish tradition, and an abundance of carefully documented quotations from classical Jewish sources. This combination yields many fresh insights into the interpretation of Scripture, as examined in Part I, and the significance ofthe Jewish festivals dealt with in Part II, and brings out the relevance of both to present-day intellectual and social issues. Both Parts will be found to contain many original ideas, novel formulations, and occasional touches of humour.




Questioning Judaism


Book Description

This volume presents the meditations of seven well-known French thinkers on the special relations of their own intellectual pursuit to Judaism.




The Study of Judaism


Book Description

The relationship between Jewish studies and religious studies is a long and complicated one, full of tensions and possibilities. Whereas the majority of scholars working within Jewish studies contend that the discipline is in a very healthy state, many who work in theory and method in religious studies disagree. For them, Jewish studies represents all that is wrong with the modern academic study of religion: too introspective, too ethnic, too navel-gazing, and too willing to reify or essentialize data that it constructs in its own image. In this book, Aaron W. Hughes explores the unique situation of Jewish studies and how it intersects with religious studies, noting particular areas of concern for those interested in the field's intellectual health and future flourishing. Hughes provides a detailed study of origins, principles, and assumptions, documenting the rise of Jewish studies in Germany and its migration to Israel and the United States. Current issues facing the academic study of Judaism are discussed, including the role of private foundations that seek inroads into the academy.




Reader's Guide to Judaism


Book Description

The Reader's Guide to Judaism is a survey of English-language translations of the most important primary texts in the Jewish tradition. The field is assessed in some 470 essays discussing individuals (Martin Buber, Gluckel of Hameln), literature (Genesis, Ladino Literature), thought and beliefs (Holiness, Bioethics), practice (Dietary Laws, Passover), history (Venice, Baghdadi Jews of India), and arts and material culture (Synagogue Architecture, Costume). The emphasis is on Judaism, rather than on Jewish studies more broadly.




Judaism: Sacred Texts, History, Theology & Philosophy


Book Description

Judaism: Sacred Texts, History, Theology & Philosophy offers an unparalleled journey into the rich tapestry of Jewish literary tradition, philosophy, and history. By bringing together an array of texts ranging from theological treatises, philosophical inquiries, to historical narratives, this collection showcases the diverse methodologies and literary styles that have shaped Jewish thought from antiquity to the modern era. Each piece, carefully curated, highlights the evolution of Jewish wisdom, with texts that have stood at the heart of dialogue, debate, and devotion within Jewish culture. The anthology stands out not only for its breadth but also for including some of the most seminal works that have profoundly influenced Jewish life and thought. The contributing authors and editors, luminaries such as Louis Ginzberg, Heinrich Graetz, Judah Halevi, and Moses Maimonides among others, bring an unparalleled depth of knowledge and insight to the collection. These figures, each a titan in their own right, represent pivotal moments and movements within Jewish intellectual history - from the medieval synthesis of Judaic thought with Greek philosophy to the critical historical scholarship of the 19th century. Their collective works within this anthology provide a unique lens through which the vibrancy and dynamism of Jewish intellectual traditions are articulated, reflecting the rich interplay between continuity and innovation that characterizes Jewish thought. This anthology is recommended for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the depth and diversity of Jewish scholarship. It offers readers a unique opportunity to explore seminal texts across various genres, underscoring the enduring relevance of these works. 'Judaism: Sacred Texts, History, Theology & Philosophy' is not merely an academic endeavor; it is an invitation to engage with the texts that have shaped Jewish consciousness across millennia. As readers traverse through this curated landscape of Jewish wisdom, they will find themselves participating in a historical dialogue that enriches understanding and fosters an appreciation for the complexity and beauty of Jewish intellectual heritage.




Judaism


Book Description

Judaism, as a religion and a way of life, has guided millions of lives and profoundly influenced its younger sisters, Christianity and Islam, as well as contributing major themes and norms to the liberal and humanistic traditions of the West. Not all Jews are religious, and not all of Judaism is philosophical; but at its core Judaism rests on a complex of values and ideas that address the abiding concerns of philosophy and perennial questions about the meaning and purpose of life, the nature of the universe, the roots and fruits of human responsibility, the character of justice, the worth of nature, and the dignity of persons. Judaism: A Contemporary Philosophical Investigation examines some of the central questions that such ideas raise, drawing on the ancient and more recent sources of Jewish thought, as viewed from a contemporary philosophical standpoint. This book is an ideal introduction for students of religion and philosophy who want to gain an understanding of the key themes and values of Judaism.




Judaism Straight Up


Book Description




Faith Examined


Book Description

This book serves two purposes--to honor the apologist and author Dr. Frank Turek and, in the spirit of his ministry, present reasoned responses to challenges currently facing the church. Every year, for more than one decade, Dr. Turek has hosted the Cross Examined Instructors Academy (CIA) through his Cross Examined Ministries, wherein he leads a group of professors and apologists as they teach and train others in the field of apologetics. Several rising stars within the apologetics community began their ministries because of Dr. Turek and the CIA. The authors of this book were chosen from this ever-widening pool of CIA attendees, past and present, most of whom have gone on to academic instruction or their own successful apologetics ministries. Their contributions broadly address challenges from philosophy and science; challenges against Jesus and the Bible; and even challenges facing parents and the church. Many topics offer new approaches, while others reestablish existing responses, but all seek to provide answers to a skeptical world for the hope that rests within all Christians.




The Sacred Books of Judaism


Book Description

This meticulously edited collection contains the essential books of the Jewish faith, the most sacred text of Judaism, history books, as well as philosophical and theological writings concerning Jewish faith. Contents: Religious Texts: "Tanakh" – The Hebrew Bible "Talmud" – The Central Text of Rabbinic Judaism "Torah – Bilingual (English/Hebrew)" – Five Books of Moses "Tales and Maxims from the Midrash" – Biblical exegesis by ancient Judaic authorities "The Kabbalah Unveiled" – Translations and commentaries of the Books of Zohar "The Sepher Ha-Zohar" – Zohar, or Splendor is the most important text of Kabbalah. "Siddur – The Standard Prayer Book" – The Authorized Daily Prayer Book of the United Hebrew Congregations "The Union Haggadah" – Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder. History: The Jewish Wars (Flavius Josephus) Antiquities of the Jews (Flavius Josephus) History of the Jews (Heinrich Graetz) The Legends of the Jews (Louis Ginzberg) Philosophical Works: Kitab al Khazari (Kuzari) (Judah Halevi) The Guide for the Perplexed (Moses Maimonides) Ancient Jewish Proverbs (Abraham Cohen)