An Intellectually Rich and Challenging
Exploration of Modern Jewish Theology
“How we deal with revelation
determines how we handle the issue of authority in belief and
practice. How we understand authority determines how we deal
with the claims of the tradition on us; how we deal with those
claims determines how we shape our own Judaism. That conclusion
opens the gate to a reconsideration of all of Judaism’s
theology, in particular how we understand God, for God is at
the heart of Torah.”
—from the
Introduction
With clarity and passion, award-winning
teacher, author and theologian Neil Gillman captures the power
of Jewish theological claims and reveals extraordinary insights
into Jewish identity, the purpose of religion, and our
relationship with God.
Drawing from Judaism’s sacred texts
as well as great thinkers such as Mordecai Kaplan, Abraham
Joshua Heschel, and Paul Tillich, Gillman traces his
theological journey over four decades of study, beginning with
his own understanding of revelation. He explores the role of
symbol and myth in our understanding of the nature of God and
covenant. He examines the importance of community in both
determining authority and sanctifying sacred space.
By charting the development of his own
personal theology, Gillman explores the evolution of Jewish
thought and its implications for modern Jewish religious
identity today and in the future.
Praise for Neil Gillman’s Work
“Gillman has a rare gift for
translating complex theological ideas into terms that laypeople
as well as specialists can appreciate.”
—CCAR
Journal: A Reform Jewish Quarterly
“Will challenge the doubter, engage
the seeker, and inspire the believer.... Beautifully presents
age-old conversations about God in a modern voice.”
—Rabbi
Elyse Goldstein, editor of The
Women’s Torah Commentary: New Insights from Women Rabbis
on the 54 Weekly Torah Portions
“Evokes the age-long Jewish
wrestling with the God of Israel … brilliantly clear
prose cuts through the gordian knots of centuries of
philosophical thought to make the most profound issues
accessible to modern readers.”
—Dr.
Eugene Fisher, Secretariat for
Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops
“Steady and sure … Gillman has
a knack for addressing common questions— ‘Can
people know anything about God?’—in an everyday
vernacular.”
—Library
Journal
“Courageous…. Gillman revives
the intelligence, wisdom, and moral sensibility of religious
discourse.”
—Rabbi
Harold M. Schulweis, Conservative
Judaism
“Beautifully written and totally
accessible … will enrich any reading of the Torah. But
more importantly, it will open possibilities for anyone seeking
a deeper understanding of God’s presence in our lives,
whether or not we perceive it.”
—Jewish
Book World
“A book to be read and digested
slowly…. People of many faiths can benefit from its
theological questions and discourses.”
—Midwest
Book Review
