The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith - Hardcover

Rabbi Yehudah Ha-Levi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0765799707 ISBN 13: 9780765799708

Publisher: Jason Aronson Inc, 1998

Synopsis

Written by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi over a period of twenty years and completed in 1140, The Kuzari has enthralled generations of Jews and non-Jews alike with its clear-cut presentation on Judaism, and its polemics against Greek philosophy, Christianity, Islam, and Karaitism. Part historical novel, The Kuzari records a dialogue between Bulan, the eighth-century King of the Khazars (a powerful people occupying the region which is now southeast Russia between the Black and Caspian Seas), and a rabbi. The story is told that the righteous king was plagued by a recurring dream in which an angel told him "Your intentions are desirable to the Creator, but not your deeds." This prompted him to summon a Greek philosopher, a Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew to his palace to guide him on the proper religious path. He was dissatisfied with each theologian until he heard what the rabbi had to say. The king debated with the rabbi, and finally conceded that Judaism was the one true and correct religion. History records that Bulan and his entire kingdom then converted to Judaism. Never before in Jewish history had an entire nation of non-Jews embraced Judaism. The Kuzari describes the theological struggles of King Bulan and the convincing arguments of the rabbi which led to this mass conversion. Using this premise and the dialogue format as his vehicle, Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi succeeds in presenting, in a passionate and convincing fashion, some of the most important fundamentals of Judaism, including the different levels of creation, how God interacts with the physical world, the holiness of the land of Israel, and the sanctity of the Sabbath and other holy days. Only two other English translations of The Kuzari were ever published. One, originally produced in 1905, is written in an archaic style, and the other compiles the information in The Kuzari by topic, but does not convey the original excitement of the question-and-answer dialogue between the rabbi and the king. With an introduction that includes a brief history of the Khazars and biographical information on the author, this new volume fills a gap in Jewish literature. As modern readers are drawn into the centuries-old debate, they will join the Khazar king in discovering the beauty, truth, and wisdom of Judaism.

About this title

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Hebrew

Review

Translated and annotated by N. Daniel Korobkin, this new edition of The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith was inspired by the author's need for a suitable text to use in his synagogue's philosophy class. Upon investigation, he discovered that only two translations were available.... Both texts were unacceptable, but instead of changing topics or texts, Korobkin decided to create a new annotated translation of the Kuzari, based upon the first Hebrew translation of HaLevi's work and incorporating the comments of classic commentaries. The result is a wonderful, easy-to-read text, that loses none of the excitement of the original, nor the depth of discussion.... When necessary, key Hebrew words remain in their original (this is especially true of his section on Hebrew grammar) and others are transliterated. But in general, the style of the writing is simple and clear.... Finally, after so many years, the English speaking world is able to study the Kuzari in all its glory and without unnecessary difficulty. -- Jewish Book World, Leonard A. Matanky

Edition details

• Publisher: Jason Aronson Inc
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0765799707
• ISBN 13: 9780765799708
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 507