The Jewish intellectual tradition has a long and complex history that has resulted in significant and influential works of scholarship. In this book, the authors suggest that there is a series of common principles that can be extracted from the Jewish intellectual tradition that have broad, even life-changing, implications for individual and societal achievement. These principles include respect for tradition while encouraging independent, often disruptive thinking; a precise system of logical reasoning in pursuit of the truth; universal education continuing through adulthood; and living a purposeful life. The main objective of this book is to understand the historical development of these principles and to demonstrate how applying them judiciously can lead to greater intellectual productivity, a more fulfilling existence, and a more advanced society.

About the Author

Alan Kadish, MD, is President of Touro College and University System, the largest Jewish-sponsored educational institution in the United States. Before succeeding Dr. Bernard Lander as Touro's second president in March 2010, Dr. Kadish distinguished himself as a prominent cardiologist, dedicated teacher and researcher, and experienced administrator. A graduate of Columbia College, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, Dr. Kadish received postdoctoral training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He has published over 280 peer-reviewed papers, received numerous grants, including from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, and contributed to several textbooks. Dr. Kadish has published articles on the nexus between science and religion.

Rabbi Dr. Michael A. Shmidman is Dean and Victor J. Selmanowitz Professor of Jewish History at Touro Graduate School of Jewish Studies and Editor of Touro University Press. He received his PhD from Harvard University and his MA from Hebrew University, and has published and lectured extensively in the areas of medieval Jewish history and Maimonidean studies. Dr. Shmidman also served as Rabbi of Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, New Jersey and as Editor of Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought.

Dr. Simcha Fishbane is a Professor of Jewish Studies in the Graduate School of Jewish Studies at Touro College, New York. He has published extensively on Jewish subjects and texts. Dr. Fishbane's publications include Deviancy in Early Rabbinic Literature (2007), The Boldness of an Halakhist (2008), The Shtiebelization of Modern Jewry (2011), The Impact of Culture and Cultures Upon Jewish Customs and Rituals (2016), and The Rabbinic Discussion about Bat Mitzvah Celebrations (2017).

Reviews

"The book, situated between academic and creative writing, presents an innovative view of the history and impact of Jewish intellectualism. It does this by allowing readers to immerse themselves in the book and manuscript collections of five influential thinkers, rabbis, and scholars... Discussions of their collections are supplemented by immersive, fictionalized descriptions of their intellectual endeavors and those of other Jewish thinkers, offering insights into what they might have thought, dreamed, and pondered. This novel way of approaching intellectual history adds greatly to the reading experience. The combination of fictionalized prose and historical description provides a well-rounded overview of the individuals' work and the surrounding cultures and literatures from which they drew inspiration and knowledge. ... With The Jewish Intellectual Tradition, Kadish, Shmidman, and Fishbane have published an insightful and impressive book, approaching Jewish intellectual history from exciting new vantage points. By looking at book history and the history of select Jewish libraries across time and cultures, they provide readers with new perspectives on the Jewish history of knowledge."

- Katharina Hadassah Wendl, Reading Religion

"Jewish intellectual tradition has produced unprecedented achievements and contributions to Jewish and non-Jewish culture throughout millennia. This rich and thoughtful book identifies the key principles inherent in this tradition and seeks to 'demonstrate how applying them judiciously' can benefit society at large... The authors exquisitely cover two thousand years of scholarship and achievement in multiple genres and fields."

-Diane Mizrachi, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California Los Angeles, AJL Reviews (September / October 2021)

"In this highly engaging and innovative work, [Kadish, Shmidman, Fishbane] try to identify what it is from the Jewish intellectual tradition that can be used for the betterment of people and society as a whole. The authors have isolated these principles, namely: respect for tradition while encouraging independent thinking; a precise system of logical reasoning in pursuit of the truth; and a universal and never-ending education. The book shows how these principles are fundamental to intellectual productivity, leading to making a better society. And the proof is in the Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals... The three authors, all scholars in their own right, have detailed this amazing intellectual tradition that should be a source of immense pride not to just every Jew but to every human being."

- Ben Rothke, Jewish Press

"From tenured pro fes sor ships to nobel prizes, Jews have excelled in all manor of schol ar ship. Many authors have explored where this ded i ca tion to learn ing comes from-The Jew ish Intel lec tu al Tra di tion: A His to ry of Learn ing and Achieve ment by Alan Kadish, Michael Shmid man, and Sim cha Fish bane is anoth er impor tant voice in the conversation. ... The three authors present the infor ma tion thought ful ly, build ing a robust book shelf before their read ers' eyes. The book serves as a help ful teach ing tool because of its short ened expla na tions of mys ti cal texts, and ear ly mod ern trends-like the birth of Reform Judaism-that edu ca tors may find use ful. As a whole, it's a help ful intro duc tion, not only to Jew ish thought, but to Jew ish his to ry and literature."

-Rab bi Marc Katz, Jewish Book Council

"One of the most impressive aspects of the book is the breadth of the authors' knowledge, which, of course, matches the wide scope of the topic they are writing about. They draw from a vast range of sources-from classical texts to contemporary academic research-to provide a comprehensive overview of the Jewish intellectual tradition. At the same time, they write with precision, clarity and passion; thus, making the material accessible to readers of all levels of expertise. ...[T]his book is an outstanding contribution to the field of Jewish studies, and a must-read for anyone interested in the Jewish intellectual tradition at large. Its insightful and engaging exploration of the ways in which Jewish thought has shaped Western civilization is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers for years to come."

-Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein, The Jewish Link

Book Information
ISBN 9781644695623
Author Alan Kadish
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Academic Studies Press
Publisher Academic Studies Press