Major Turning Points in Jewish Intellectual History

by David Aberbach

This book analyzes major transformations in Jewish life and from idolatry to exclusive monotheism in the biblical age, from state-based identity to cultural nationalism in the Roman empire; and, in the European Diaspora, from theology to secularism and revived political nationalism in the modern period. Fundamental questions are asked about Jewish survival in a variety of topics including prophecy, Jewish law, Midrash, the Roman-Jewish wars, Stoicism, secular poetry in Muslim Spain, Marx and Freud, and Hebrew literature through the ages.

235 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

David Aberbach is Associate Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at McGill University, Canada.

Reviews

[Jean Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and readable review of major events in Jewish Intellectual History - from idolatry to monotheism, Roman-Jewish wars, interaction with outside world, from theology to sociology and finally from assimilation to Nationalism.