Rabbinic Theology and Jewish Intellectual History

This book examines the thought and legacy of Rabbi Loew (the Maharal), one of the most important Jewish thinkers. Taking a multi-disciplinary approach, the book encompasses organized perspectives that range from East European cultural and intellectual history, to Medieval Jewish intellectual history and its legacies, to Rabbinic theology, to Italian Jewish history, to Early Modern Jewish intellectual history, to Maharal Studies, to Postmodernism and Judaism, to Jewish political theory, Comparative Religion, and Cinematic Studies.

Auteur

Meir Seidler is senior lecturer in the Department of Jewish Studies at the Ariel University Center in Samaria, Israel. His childhood in Prague acquainted him with the folklore surrounding the Maharal, whilst his position in academia has enabled him to upgrade a childhood memory to an academic endeavour.

Résumé
Rabbi Loew (the Maharal) of Prague remains one of the most influential and prolific Jewish thinkers of his time. Widely considered one of the fathers of Hassidic thought and a harbinger of Modern Jewish philosophy, his life and work have retained their influence and remain prevalent today.Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, this book ranges from an analysis of the historical background to Maharal's thought, to examining the relevance of this thought in the modern era, before addressing the popular cultural and folkloristic reception of Maharal's impact on modern, Western culture. This book presents a new understanding of familiar material and will be an invaluable asset to students and scholars of Modern and Early-Modern Jewish History and Intellectual thought.

Contenu

Introduction Part I: Netivot Olam - Paths of the World: The Historical Background 1. An Emperor at the Prague Castle Part II: Gur Aryeh - In the Lion's Den: Maharal's Weltanschauung 2. Between Rationalism and Mysticism 3. The Love of God and the Fear of God in the Thought of the Maharal of Prague 4. Maharal against Azaria de Rossi 5. At the Crossroad 6. The Relationship Between Halakha, Philosophy and Education in Maharal's Teachings 7. Sexual Restraint and Male Identity in Rabbinic Ethics and the Maharal's Further Elaborations Part III: Or Chadash - New Light: Anticipating the Birth Pangs of Modernity 8. Modernity and Religion 9. Torah and the Worldly Sciences in the Teaching of the Maharal of Prague and Chabad Chassidism 10. Maharal and Religious Coercion 11. Maharal of Prague, Christian Theology and the Formation of Separate Judaism Part IV: Derekh HaChayim - The way of Life: Maharal alias Rabbi Loew in Modern Western Culture 12. The Golem of Prague and his Master