Sephardi Religious Responses to Modernity

by Norman A. Stillman

The Sephardi religious leaders, who had been historically more open to general culture, reacted with neither the anti-traditionalism of Reform Judaism not the Ashkenazi ultra-Othodox's uncompromising rejection of everything new. Their response was rather one of active and creative halakhic engagement coupled with a tolerant attitude toward the growing secularized elements of their communities.
Much has been written on the social, economic, and political transformation of Sephardi and Oriental Jewry in the modern era. However, this is the first book devoted to the religious changes taking place in this important segment of Jewry which now constitutes the majority of Jews in the Jewish state.
Throughout the nineteenth century the entire structure of the Ashkenazi world crumbled. What remains of Askhenazi Jewry today is split into irreconcilable religious camps on the one hand, and a large body of secularized Jews of greater or lesser ethnicity on the other. The Sephardi and Oriental Jews, which

Genres: Judaism, Religion

114 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Aaron Sabin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet, but kind of awkward. The book jumps quickly from topic to topic, doesn't get into much depth, and didn't leave me feeling much more knowledgable about the topic. I would have enjoyed a more thorough investigation of legal responses to emerging challenges across the Sephardi world. The good part is that it is an easy read and could easily be read in a day.