One People?: Tradition, Modernity and Jewish Unity (The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization) - Softcover

Sacks, Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1874774013 ISBN 13: 9781874774013

Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization in association with Liverpool University Press, 1993

Synopsis

One People? is a full-lenth study of the major problem confronting the Jewish future: the availability or otherwise of a way of mending the schisms between Reform and Orthodox Judaism, between religious and secular Jews in Israel and between Israel itself and the diaspora - all of which have been deepended by the continuing controversy over the question 'who is a Jew?'. This text is a study of the background to this and related controversies. It traces the fragmentation of Jewry in the wake of emancipation and enlightenment, the development of heterodox religious denominations and secular Zionism, the variety of Orthodox responses to these challenges and the resources of Jewish tradition for handling diversity. It sets out the intractability of the problem and ends by examining strands in both Orthodox Jewish thought that might make for convergence and conciliation. The analysis employs a variety of disciplines - history, sociology, theology and halakhic jurisprudence - to comment on a subject in which these dimensions are inextricably interwoven.

It also explores key issues such as the underlying philosophy of Jewish law and the nature of the collision between tradition and modern consciousness in the clash of perceptions between Orthodox and Reform. Written for general readers as well as the academic, this book aims to present a thought-provoking presentation of the dilemmas of Jewish Orthodoxy in modernity.

About this title

About the Author:

Jonathan Sacks is Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. Educated at the University of Cambridge, he was formerly Principal of Jews College, London, and 1990 BBC Reith Lecturer.

Review:

`Jonathan Sacks has had the courage to elaborate a major constituent of his personal credo before the public gaze . . . it is not dispassionately reasoned but is an expression of a devout commitment to the cause of unity . . . Even if Jonathan Sacks has raised more questions than he has answered, if we are prepared to address these questions to ourselves, he has thereby rendered a service to each of us, and so let us hope, to all of us, what he calls the "covenantal community", keneset Yisrael.' - Ephraim Borowski, Le'Ela `An intellectual and philosophical feast of scholastic diplomacy. Diplomat par excellence, Sacks seeks to forge bridges over the seemingly unbridgeable chasms separating Orthodoxy, Progressive Judaism and Jewish secularism, as well as within Orthodoxy itself . . . a masterly exercise which, it is hoped, will not fall on the deaf ears of a Jewry too divided to love itself . . . a valiant attempt to occupy the pivotal middle ground of Jewry-a stance which demands courage in an age such as ours which favours extremism. Let us hope that all sections of Jewry will accept the hand of friendship and understanding stretched out to them by Sacks so that maybe one day we just might become One People.' - Jewish Telegraph `Any sense of deja vu is soon eclipsed by the increased tightness and depth of the argument, apparent not least in the uncanny way in which any counter-argument is either anticipated or raised and dealt with later in the text . . . There is thus scope for much future discussion. This book makes its case against a deftly woven background of the history, sociology, theology and Halakha of the past two centuries. Its argument is brilliantly sustained through its compelling paradoxes which at times illuminate and at times provoke . . . Sacks has confronted the questions which most profoundly trouble contemporary Jewish existence. His book redraws the conceptual field in which the arguments will continue even if it is unlikely to end them. This is no small contribution.' - Michael Gillis, Jewish Quarterly `Sober, realistic, even optimistic. It is also splendidly written, closely reasoned and meticulously documented . . . All of us can-and should-accept that the Chief Rabbi's motives are good.' - John Rayner, Jewish Chronicle His approach marks a refreshing change from those engaged in theological backbiting, and it bears out his desire to seek reconciliation between the different creeds of Judaism . . . Chief Rabbi Sacks is to be praised for opening up the process of reconciliation within Anglo-Jewry in a reasoned and dignified manner.' - Jonathan Romain, Jewish Chronicle `A tour de force. Brilliantly documented and skilfully presented, it looks honestly at the Jewish experience of the past in order to find a resolution to the problems that today threaten the Jewish people with dissolution. Rabbi Sacks asserts in the preface that, "in writing about Liberal, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Judaisms, I have tried to come to terms with positions that are fundamentally not my own." He is, I believe, the first Orthodox rabbi in a position of authority ever to do so, and for this he deserves our praise . . . One People? is essential reading for all who wish to establish the basis for a constructive dialogue between the various religious sections in Jewry . . . for those who truly love Klal Yisrael, his is the only reasonable way forward.' - Sidney Brichto, Jewish Chronicle `It is admirable that an Orthodox Chief Rabbi should be searching-with halachic backing-for ways of uniting all Jewish factions.' - Stefan Reif, Jewish Chronicle `We are indebted to Rabbi Sacks for presenting us with a closely reasoned argument helping the modern Orthodox Jew resolve the dilemma of wanting to live with his non-observant neighbours with mutual respect, and at the same time retaining his unqualified commitment to his faith in Tora min Hashamayim and all that that implies.' - Mendell Lewittes, Jerusalem Post Magazine `His analysis of contemporary orthodoxy, which constitutes the bulk of the book, is recommended, especially for non-traditional or secular Jews who wish better to understand an observant Jew's perspective on the diverse Judaisms of modernity.' - A. J. Avery-Peck, Choice

About this edition

• Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization in association with Liverpool University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 1874774013
• ISBN 13: 9781874774013
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272