This book examines how some modern and contemporary Jewish thinkers and writers have imagined a Judaism without the boundaries and restrictions that go by the name of "religion." The book offers scholarly insights into some Jewish thinkers-notably Martin Buber and Eugene Borowitz, some Jewish writers-in particular the poet Hayyim Nahman Bialik and the Yiddish author I.L. Peretz. The study also introduces more contemporary thinkers and writers such as the postmodernist Jacques Derrida, the contemporary Israeli novelist David Grossman, and the young Israeli poet Ilan Sheinfeld. While of scholarly interest, the ten chapter work has more general appeal as a way of conceiving Jewish living outside the restrictions of religion. One third of the book suggests a way of looking at God and theology as part of the process of living rather than as fixed realities. Another third explores how Jewish culture can be liberated from the restrictions of nationalism and parochialism. The final third focuses on a postmodern ethics of the self that emerges from face to face meetings with others. The author contends that the future Judaism has created will be pluralistic, diverse, and oriented toward the future.

About the Author
S. Daniel Breslauer is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas.

Reviews
'Creating a Judaism without Religion' is a necessary and helpful corrective to the bias toward theory that is prevalent in modern Jewish thought. -- Martin Kavka, Florida State University * Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies *
A welcome and recommended addition to Judaic Studies reading lists and academic reference collections. . . * The Bookwatch *
A welcome and recommended addition to Judaic Studies reading lists and academic reference collections. . . * The Bookwatch *
'Creating a Judaism without Religion' is a necessary and helpful corrective to the bias toward theory that is prevalent in modern Jewish thought. -- Martin Kavka, Florida State University * Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies *



Book Information
ISBN 9780761821045
Author Daniel S. Breslauer
Format Hardback
Page Count 274
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 535g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 160mm * 26mm