Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 34:2 (1993), pp. 231-2. Interpreting Maimonides: Studies in Methodology, Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy (Chicago Studies in the History of Judaism). By Marvin Fox. Pp. xiii. 356, Chicago University Press, 1990, $21.59. Among Maimonides’ works the two with the greatest influence on Jewish…...

Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 34:2 (1993), p. 231. Maimonidean Studies: Vol. 1. Edited by Arthur Hyman. Pp. 222.42, New York, Yeshiva University Press. 1990, $35.00. The works of Maimonides (1135-1204) have attracted to them through the ages a host of commentaries and super-commentaries but it was…...

Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 34:2 (1993), pp. 225-6. Metaphysical Drift: Love and Judaism. By Jerome Eckstein. Pp. xx, 241, New York, Lang, 1991, $44.95. This is an original, philosophical work by a Professor of both Judaic Studies and Religious Studies at Albany State University, in which…...

Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 35:1 (1994), pp. 71-3. Judaism (The Religious Situation of Our Time). By Hans Küng. Pp. xxii, 753, London, SCM Press, 1992, £35.00. The quote from this massive work on the back jacket sets the tone: ‘A book like this about Judaism is…...

Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 29:2 (1988), pp. 244-5. Jewish Ethics and Halakhah for Our Time. By Basil F. Herring. Pp. xiii, 243, New York, KTAV, 1984, $15.00 (hardback), $9.95 (paperback). A Book of Jewish Ethical Concepts, Biblical and Post-Biblical. By Abraham P. Bloch. Pp. viii, 294, New…...

Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 31:1 (1990), pp. 94-5. Jewish Spirituality from the Bible through the Middle Ages. Edited by Arthur Green. Pp. xxv, 450 (World Spirituality 13) London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1986, £39.50. The editor of this volume of essays by outstanding Jewish scholars had…...

Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 36:1 (1995), pp. 85-6. Shield and Sword: Jewish Polemics against Christianity and the Christians in France and Spain from 1100-1500 (Texts and Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Judaism 8). By Hanne Trautner-Kromann. Pp. xi, 216, Tübingen, J.C.B. Mohr, Paul Siebeck, 1993,…...

Originally published in The Heythrop Journal, A Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology, 22:3 (1981), pp. 327-9. Samuel David Luzzatto: Traditionalist Scholar. By M. B. Margolies. Pp. xv, 253, New York, Ktav, 1979, $15.00. The five famous names in the 19th-century Judische Wissenschaft movement were Zunz and Geiger in Germany; Krochmal and Rapoport in Galicia;…...

Originally published in Journal of Jewish Studies 31:2 (1980), pp. 126-8. Samuel Atlas, Netivim be-Mishpat ha-‘Ivri (‘Pathways in Hebrew Law’). American Academy for Jewish Research, Sepher Hermon Press, New York, 1978, ix, 304 pp. $12.50. Just before he died in 1977, Professor Samuel Atlas had prepared for publications this collection of his penetrating articles on Jewish…...

Originally published in Expository Times 92:5 (1981), p. 156. HALAKHAH AND ECONOMICS The Halakhah, the pattern of Jewish living worked out in elaborate detail by authoritative teachers throughout the ages, has obviously been greatly concerned with ethical and social obligations as well as with religious observances. But the complexities of modern commerce and politics are so…...

Originally published in Journal of Jewish Studies 31:2 (1980), pp. 125-6. Simon Greenberg, The Ethical in the Jewish and American Heritage, New York, Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1977, xvi, 327 pp. $15.00. Robert Gordis, Understanding Conservative Judaism, ed. Max Gelb, New York, The Rabbinical Assembly, 1979, xiv, 235 pp. $12.50. Dr. Greenberg, Vice-Chancellor of the…...

Originally published in European Judaism 12:1 (1978), pp. 45-7. A NEW PRAYERBOOK Forms of Prayer—Daily Sabbath and Occasional Prayers, Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, London, 1977, £4.95. It was with strong feelings of impropriety that I undertook to do a critical review of this beautifully produced new edition of the Reform Prayer Book, the advantages of…...

Originally published in Journal of Jewish Studies 23:2 (1972), p. 204. Samuel S. Cohon, What we Jews believe & A guide to Jewish practice, Royal Vangorcum, Assen, The Netherlands, 1971, xvi, 197 pp. Fl. 25 ($7.50). These two small books, printed together, are intended as guides “for the enlightened modern Jew”, as the sub-title has it…....

Originally published in Religious Studies 10:4 (1974), pp. 502-3. Jacob Neusner, editor. Understanding Rabbinic Judaism. From Talmudic to Modern Times. Pp. 422. (Ktav Publishing House, New York, 1974.) $5.95. Professor Neusner, believing that the mode of Judaic religion known as Rabbinic Judaism is ‘a single, seamless, all-encompassing religious structure, continuing essentially in its classic form from its…...

Originally published in Religious Studies 9 (1973), pp. 376-7. Norman Lamm. Faith and Doubt: Studies in Traditional Jewish Thought. Pp. ix, 309. (Ktav, New York, 1971.) $10.00. The title of this book, in large, bold type on the jacket, encourages its potential readers to believe that they will be treated to a comprehensive investigation into the…...

Originally published in the Journal of Semitic Studies 1:1 (1956), pp. 87-8. J. B. Agus, Guideposts in Modern Judaism: An Analysis of Current Trends in Jewish Thought. 1954. Pp. 446. (Bloch Publishing Company, New York. Price: $4.30.) The old gibe that while the Rabbi knows what Abaye said the Professor of Semitics knows only what kind of…...

Originally published in the Journal of Semitic Studies 1:1 (1956), p. 87. H. M. Kallen, “Of them which say they are Jews” and other essays on the Jewish struggle for survival. Ed. J. Pilch. 1954. Pp. xviii + 242. (Bloch Publishing Company, New York. Price: $4.50.) This book is a collection of essays and addresses by the…...