Contemplative Nation: A Philosophical Account of Jewish Theological Language
Cass Fisher
Abstract
This book challenges the long-standing view that theology is not a vital part of the Jewish tradition. For political and philosophical reasons, both scholars of Judaism and Jewish thinkers have sought to minimize the role of theology in Judaism. This book constructs a new model for understanding Jewish theological language that emphasizes the central role of theological reflection in Judaism and the close relationship between theological reflection and religious practice in the Jewish tradition. Drawing on diverse philosophical resources, the book's model of Jewish theology embraces the multip ... More
This book challenges the long-standing view that theology is not a vital part of the Jewish tradition. For political and philosophical reasons, both scholars of Judaism and Jewish thinkers have sought to minimize the role of theology in Judaism. This book constructs a new model for understanding Jewish theological language that emphasizes the central role of theological reflection in Judaism and the close relationship between theological reflection and religious practice in the Jewish tradition. Drawing on diverse philosophical resources, the book's model of Jewish theology embraces the multiple forms and functions of Jewish theological language. The book demonstrates the utility of this model by undertaking close readings of an early rabbinic commentary on the book of Exodus (Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael) and a work of modern philosophical theology (Franz Rosenzweig's The Star of Redemption). These readings advance the discussion of theology in rabbinics and modern Jewish thought and provide resources for constructive Jewish theology.
Keywords:
Jewish theology,
Judaism,
theological reflection,
religious practice,
Jewish tradition,
Exodus,
Franz Rosenzweig,
rabbinics,
theological language
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2012 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780804776646 |
| Published to Stanford Scholarship Online: June 2013 |
DOI:10.11126/stanford/9780804776646.001.0001 |
