Judaism and the Challenges of Modern Life

by Moshe Halbertal (Editor), Donniel Hartman (Editor)

Much more than a particular period in world history, modernity has fundamentally transformed how we think and live, and especially how we understand and relate to religious traditions. As the 'ghetto walls' have fallen, both empirically and metaphorically, Judaism is compelled to compete in an open marketplace of ideas. Jews can no longer count on an assumedly necessary Jewish identity or commitment, nor on the rallying force of anti-Semitism to ensure an individual and collective sense of belonging. Rather Jewish moral, spiritual and historical values and ideas must be read with new eyes and challenged to address modernity's proliferating array of questions and realities.   The pertinent questions modern Jewry faces are how to embrace modernity as Jews and what such an embrace means for the meaning and future of Jewish life. This collection of essays, authored by scholars of the Shalom Hartman Institute, addresses three critical challenges posed to Judaism by the challenge of ideas, the challenge of diversity, and the challenge of statehood, and provides insights and ideas for the future direction of Judaism. Providing readers with new insights into Judaism and the Jewish people in contemporary times, the collection explores a wide range of issues that the significance of Israel for the future of Judaism; the Jewish people as a people; the relationship between monotheism and violence; revelation and ethics; Judaism and the feminist challenge; and Judaism and homosexuality.

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2007

About the author

Moshe Halbertal (Hebrew: משה הלברטל; born Montevideo, Uruguay, 1958) is an Israeli philosopher, professor, and writer, a noted expert on Maimonides, and co-author of the Israeli Army Code of Ethics. He currently holds positions as Professor of Jewish Thought and Philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Gruss Professor of Law at NYU School of Law. In 2021 he was elected to the American Philosophical Society

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being published in 2007, "Judaism and the Challenges of Modern Life" still feels relevant being read in 2025. While some questions have advanced to new stages, none have really been answered, and this book still has something to offer to those looking for some groundwork on the some of the most pressing issues facing the Jewish community.

[Alan Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

See more from Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman at the Shalom Hartman Institute website - http://hartman.org.il.

See more from Hartman Institute scholars David Hartman and Moshe Halbertal and Israel Knohl