Sephardi Religious Responses to Modernity (The Sherman Lecture Series, Vol. 1) [Hardcover]

Stillman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 371865699X | ISBN-13: 978-3718656998 | Publication Date: November 1, 1995 | Edition: 1

Throughout the 19th century the entire structure of the Ashkenazi world crumbled. What remains of Ashkenazi Jewry today is split into irreconcilable religous camps on one hand, and a large body of secularized Jews of greater or lesser ethnicity on the other. The Sephardi Oriental Jews, which form the other great branch of world Jewry, had a very different encounter with the forces of modernity. This work examines some of their repsonses to its challenges. The Sephardi religious leaders, who had been historically more open to general culture, reacted with neither the anti-traditionalism of Reform Judaism nor the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox's uncompromising rejection of everything new. Their response was rather one of active and creative halakhic engagement coupled with a tolerant attitude toward the growing secularized elements of their communities.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 99 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 371865699X
• ISBN-13: 978-3718656998
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,460,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Needs to be read by every Jew, March 20, 2007

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Ehav Eliyahu Ever (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sephardi Religious Responses to Modernity (The Sherman Lecture Series, Vol. 1) (Hardcover)

This book really does a lot and goes a long way in breaking down various issues that exist in Jewish communities worldwide. The topic of how Sephardim responded to modernity is a topic that is timely and needed in this current time where non-Ashkeanzi history is but a stub in many areas of Jewish education, especially in the religious world.

This book essentially talks about how historically Sephardic Jews from southern Europe, North Africa and Jews of the Middle East have handled changes in society. It deals with the issue from the correct angle for the Sepphardic and Mizrahi communities in a way that doesn't separate religion from the culture. For example even secular Sephardic Jews interact with the religious elements of their culture. It also discusses the differences between Sephardic leadership and Ashkenazi leadership in this area of dealing with change in culture and society.

The book is a short read (86 pages of text), but it is an important educational tool that is needed in both the Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities. I believe that this is the kind of book that NEEDS to be an essential part of Jewish education. As a Sephardi Jew I feel this books helps me understand the positives and the issues in my own culture and understanding these things helps in determining what I should do for children I will have in the future in order for them to be proud of their culture.