Monotheism is usually considered Judaism's greatest contribution to world culture, but it is far from clear what monotheism is. This work examines the notion that monotheism is not so much a claim about the number of God as a claim about the nature of God. Seeskin argues that the idea of a God who is separate from his creation and unique is not just an abstraction but a suitable basis for worship. He examines this conclusion in the contexts of prayer, creation, sabbath observance, repentance, religious freedom, and love of God. Maimonides plays a central role in the argument both because of his importance to Jewish self-understanding and because he deals with the question of how philosophic ideas are embodied in religious ritual.
Reviews
Admirers of Kenneth Seeskin's writing in philosophy will not be disappointed with this book. * Oliver Leaman, Religious Studies, Vol. 37 *
the quality of the argument and analysis in the book is first class throughout and the reader will be frequently stimulated by the approach which the author adopts. He has a real mastery of the topic, both the ancient and medieval aspects of it, together with its modern developments. and his style is entirely without mystification or redundancy. In short, the book is a pleasure to read and sets standards of exposition on this issue which it will be difficult to follow. * Oliver Leaman, Religious Studies, Vol. 37 *
Kenneth Seeskin ... has bravely setout to rescue the philosophical vision of God, and has done so in an original and fascinating way ... fascinating and well argued book. * Nicholas de Lange, The Expository Times, Jan 2001, Vol. 112, No.4. *



Book Information
ISBN 9780195128468
Author Kenneth Seeskin
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 562g
Dimensions(mm) 152mm * 229mm * 19mm