Customer Reviews

Halakhic Man, Authentic Jew: Modern Expressions of Orthodox Thought From Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits

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This important and timely book is a must read for thoughtful laypersons and experts alike. In a world where "modern Orthodoxy" is increasingly regarded as an oxymoron at worst and anachronistic at best, the author brings his refreshing and erudite perspective to the writings of two of the most fascinating and revered Jewish thinkers of our era. Even for those already well acquainted with the ideas of Rabbi Soloveitchik and Rabbi Berkovits, his cogent analysis of their respective philosophies invites the reader to engage in a broader conversation about the way Judaism should be expressed - and lived - in the modern world.

In his discussion of the rabbis' view of the ideal Jew, Bedzow explores such concepts as tzelem Elokim, kavod, talmud Torah and the performance of the commandments, individual versus community, the chosenness of the Jewish people, and the roles of the land of Israel and Exile in the history of the Jewish people. His examination of halakha as a system of epistemology and ethics sheds new light on how we should properly approach and observe Jewish Law.

Drawing from an intriguing array of resources, including everything from the Torah, Talmud, and medieval Jewish thought to concepts in philosophy, mathematics, and literature. the author expresses himself in ways that excite the mind and challenge the soul. This book is long overdue, and is sure to be a catalyst for fresh thinking and lively dialogue.