Israelis and the Jewish Tradition: An Ancient People Debating Its Future (Terry Lectures)

Rating:
Summary: Romantic and Rational Judaism
Review: David Hartman has applied his considerable intellectual talent to 1) articulate a problem facing contemporary Israel (and much of the Jewish people), 2) explore two medieval thinkers - Yehudah Halevi, the romantic, and Maimonides, the rationalist - regarding their attitudes toward both miracle and messianism, and 3) apply the insights of their two approaches to the current situation. Hartman illustrates the hopeful allure of Halevi, the enduring sobriety of Maimonides, and his own continuing concern for questions of political and social ethics which also characterises contemporary philosophical discussion. Quite worthwhile.

Rating:
Summary: David Hartman is a MUST read
Review: David Hartman is: kind, smart, compassionate, wise, learned and a good writer. All that is in evidence in this book, and more: An update on Israel, always welcome especially by one Who Know. And too few are in that category.