This book is an investigation into authenticity, certainty, and self-hood as they arise in the story of the binding of Isaac. Gellman provides a new interpretation of Kierkegaard with select Hasidic commentary. Contents: INTRODUCTION: Background to the Book; Hasidism and Existentialism; Preview of the Chapters; THE FEAR AND THE TREMBLING: Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling; The Problem of Hearing and the Problem of Choice; The 'Ethical' for Kierkegaard; The 'Voice of God' for Kierkegaard; The Resolution of the Problems; THE UNCERTAINTY: Mordecai Joseph Leiner of Izbica; Maimonides, Saadia, and Gersonides; The Existentialist Interpretation; The Theological Interpretation; SINNING FOR GOD: The Teleological Suspension of the Ethical; Averah Lishmah-Mordecai Joseph Leiner of Izbica and Zadok Hakohen of Lublin; Divine Determinism; Repentance from Fear and from Love; Averah Lishmah and the Teleological Suspension of the Ethical; THE DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS: Abraham's Prophetic Utterance; Heavy and Light Double Mindedness; The Fire-Elimelech of Lyzhansk; Judah Aryeh Leib of Gur; Abraham's Double-Mindedness; THE PASSION: Abraham Issac Kook; Hegel and Kierkegaard on Religion and Philosophy; Abraham and Idolatry; The Akedah According to Rav Kook; God's Mercy; Rav Kook and Kierkegaard on the Self; Index.

About the Author
Jerome I. Gellman is Associate Professor at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Reviews
...a fascinating contribution....Gellman uses Kiekegaard's parallel treatment of this text to shed light on an important, but little known, tradition of Hasidic thought. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College
This short book is eminently worth reading. The topic is important; the writing is clear and crisp; the author objective while engaged; and the content organized, informed and informative. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College * Journal of Jewish Studies *
...it is very clearly written...Gellman never loses sight of the philosophical concerns, and his rabbinic sources are shown to be rich in insight and argument...Teachers seeking a fresh, innovative text for a course on Religion and Morality might find...[it to be] just what they are looking for. -- John Kleinig, professor of philosophy, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
...it is very clearly written...Gellman never loses sight of the philosophical concerns, and his rabbinic sources are shown to be rich in insight and argument...Teachers seeking a fresh, innovative text for a course on Religion and Morality might find...[it to be] just what they are looking for. -- John Kleinig, professor of philosophy, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
...a fascinating contribution....Gellman uses Kiekegaard's parallel treatment of this text to shed light on an important, but little known, tradition of Hasidic thought. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College
This short book is eminently worth reading. The topic is important; the writing is clear and crisp; the author objective while engaged; and the content organized, informed and informative. -- Ronald M. Green, Dartmouth College * Journal of Jewish Studies *



Book Information
ISBN 9780819193650
Author Jerome I. Gellman
Format Paperback
Page Count 146
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 191g
Dimensions(mm) 220mm * 130mm * 11mm