Judaism and Theology

First published 2005

Although Jewish theological thinking suffered somthing of an eclipse during the first half of the twentieth century, a revivial took place in teh post-Holocaust era, when thinking people grappled with the implications of the terrible events for religious faith. In the essays presented in this book, the author addresses some of the most burning questions but also provides surveys of contemporary Jewish religious life in the various communitiesand of the attitudes of Jewish thinkers to other religious faiths. For the first time a comprehensive account of Halakhic attitudes towards Christianity is presented. The differences in Jewish mystical thought and that of Chiristianity is presented.

The differences in Jewish mystical thought and that of Christianity and other faiths are studied, along with the Jewish view of the relationship of faith to tradition compared with that of other religions. The comparative method is used in the essay on the relevance and irrelevance of Hasidishm in theological terms for the modern believing Jew. In similar vein is the essay on how Hasidism has coped with the dogma that the generations have deteriorated morally and religiously since Sinai.

The theological question of whether to pray for the downfall of the wicked is advocated, permitted or forbidden according to Jewish teaching is also considered. On the border of traditional Jewish life and modernity, the fascinating introdutions ot a Halakhic work, and the theological views of another great Halakhist and thinker of modern times, are examined in close detail. Problems regarding the sanctity of life and modern conditions of voilence and of Zionism after a hundred years are studied in the light of contemporary thought. A penetrating analysis of the meaning of holy places is offered for discussion. The views of Jewish thinkers – ancient, medival and modern – are quoted on this elusive theme, providing a realm of thought on a largely neglected topic. The final chapter is a semi-cosmic discussion – important in the age of feminism – on whether there are female as well as male angels. This book will be of interest to believers and unbelievers alike.

Published reviews of ‘Judaism and Theology’

Addresses some of the most burning questions but also provides surveys of contemporary Jewish religious life in the various communities and of the attitudes of Jewish thinkers to other religious faiths. For the first time a comprehensive account of Halakhic attitudes towards Christianity is presented. The differences in Jewish mystical thought and that of Christianity and other faiths are studied, along with the Jewish view of the relationship of faith to tradition compared with that of other religions.

Norman Solomon reviews ‘Judaism and Theology’ and ‘Rabbinic Thought in the Talmud’