Rethinking Modern Judaism: Ritual, Commandment, Community (Chicago Studies in the History of Judaism) - Hardcover

Eisen, Arnold M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0226195287 ISBN 13: 9780226195285

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 1998

Synopsis

Arnold Eisen here calls for a fundamental rethinking of the story of modern Judaism. More than simply a study of Jewish thought on customs and rituals, Rethinking Modern Judaism explores the central role that practice plays in Judaism's encounter with modernity.

"Fascinating . . . an insightful entrance point to understanding the evolution of the theologies of America's largest Jewish denominations."—Tikkun

"I know of no other treatment of these issues that matches Eisen's talents for synthesizing a wide variety of historical, philosophical, and social scientific sources, and bringing them to bear in a balanced and open-minded way on the delicate questions of why modern Jews relate as they do to the practices of Judaism."—Joseph Reimer, Boston Book Review

"At once an incisive survey of modern Jewish thought and an inquiry into how Jews actually live their religious lives, Mr. Eisen's book is an invaluable addition to the study of American Judaism."—Elliott Abrams, Washington Times

About this title

About the Author

Arnold M. Eisen is professor in and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Stanford University.

Reviews

In his new book, Eisen (religious studies, Stanford, and author of Chosen People in America, Indiana Univ., 1995), examines modern Jewish ritual as a window into Jewish feeling. He offers some striking ideas, pointing out that modernity has affected even those who consider themselves of orthodox belief. He seeks to show how Jews of all spectra are continually reinventing traditions. After all, nostalgia and the search for usable history partly motivate religious practice, and in our times the Passover haggadah has been rewritten by various Jewish movements to emphasize different aspects of freedom. Eisen's study is an original one, and it will be most appreciated by scholars and academic readers. Recommended for larger libraries.?Paul M. Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., Round Lake Beach, IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0226195287
• ISBN 13: 9780226195285
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 347