Irving Greenberg

****.5

The book is divided into 3 main sections: biblical Judaism, Rabbinic (Talmudic) Judaism, and modern times. Throughout, 3 main concepts are used to explore the evolution of ideas and practices: brit (covenant), tzimtzum (contraction), tikkun olam (repairing the world).

The first starts of course with Abraham, but has evolved over time, and our relationship with God has interpreted in quite different ways. Tzimtzum is a concept that became extremely significant with the medieval show more Kabbalists, but in this book is used to explain the withdrawal of God from day-to-day operations and direct intervention. Hence no prophets or overt miracles, and why the Holocaust was allowed to happen, etc. It also sets the stage for the final and arguably most relevant concept, that of tikkun olam. This is something that became extremely popular with Reform Judaism, largely replacing traditional Halakhah with more universal ideas of social justice. But the author is an orthodox rabbi, and uses it to support adherence to Halakhah as a foundationally integral and vitally inherent part of the process.

The book is largely accessible to a general audience, but it definitely helps to have a good understanding of basic Jewish practice and history. I found a few of the more theoretical theology sections challenging, they require one's full attention/study to get the most of them. But it's also ok to skim through those technical sections to get back to the general discussion.

Towards the end, he provides his own opinions on a number of controversial issues, from the role of women, to LGBTQ inclusion, intermarriage, Israel, Christians, and even sex. Although I don't agree with him about everything, I was surprised at how open he was for change, and even showed more respect for the reform and conservative movements than for the Haredi (ultra-orthodox) attitudes towards these issues.

I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a deep dive into contemporary Jewish theology, he presented many familiar facts and ideas in a fresh and interested context. show less

although the binding stinks, this is a must-have Jewish book; I re-read it regularly; Greenberg understands the holidays as an attempt to retain the vision of a perfected world without failing to recognize the brokenness of this world

NO OF PAGES: 274 SUB CAT I: Jewish - Christian Issues SUB CAT II: Jewish - Christian Relations SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: A rabbi, theologian, scholar and teacher, Greenberg established CLAL, the national Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, in 1974. This think tank's staff is a mix of rabbis and scholars from all Jewish denominations, reflecting Greenberg's determination to cut across the lines that separate Jews. His new book goes beyond internal differences within the Jewish show more community to explore Jewish-Christian relationships, a subject that has long commanded Greenberg's attention. In nine essays, Greenberg recounts his thoughts and experiences on the association between Jews and Christians, especially in connection with the Holocaust. His mentor Joseph Soloveitchik, Orthodox Judaism's leading 20th-century sage, opposed theological discussions between Jews and Christians. When Greenberg asserted that this ban contradicted Soloveitchik's own view that "life is spiritually seamless," Soloveitchik surprisingly agreed, opening the door for the ideas presented here and for the interactions with Christian theologians that informed them. The book includes five short comments by theologians on Greenberg's thinking. Some religious knowledge is useful for grasping the complex ideas, but the effort required to understand Greenberg's theological conceptions will be richly rewarded, since he provides vital insights into the possibility of "two parallel covenantal communities working side by side to bring God's Kingdom."NOTES: Purchased from the Amazon Marketplace. SUBTITLE: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity show less

yes. and as a pair with running a jewish household it is a gateway