Is There a Jewish Philosophy? by Leon Roth

Is There a Jewish Philosophy? by Leon Roth

Elegantly written essays provide an engaging, thought-provoking discussion of the fundamentals of Judaism, in which the application of Jewish ethical principles shines through.

'I conclude by recommending Roth's book highlyRoth's erudition and deep knowledge of philosophy and Judaism are manifested throughout this very worthwhile book.'
- William E. Kaufman, Conservative Judaism

‘Roth’s lucid treatment demands consideration by students in the history of Judaism and the philosophy of religion.’
- Gregory Kaplan, Religious Studies Review

 

‘The first thing one notices in picking up Is there a Jewish Philosophy? is the deep humanity of the author . . . I should confess that I never met Roth and so cannot testify to his personal charm or charisma. Suffice it to say that after reading [this book] I very much wish I had.’
- Kenneth Seeskin, Shofar

‘Roth was a clear and lively writer with an analytic grasp of what Judaism is all about. For a taste of vintage Roth, this collection is highly recommended, and not only to the “new generation”.’
- Shubert Spero, Studies in Contemporary Jewry

‘This new collection of writings and lectures reveals him as a profound logical and liberal Jewish thinker.’
- Michael Hilton, World Faiths Encounter

Following a brilliant academic career in England, Leon Roth (1896–1963) became, at the age of 32, the first professor of philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1944, at the age of 44, he became its youngest rector. Like Maimonides and Spinoza—both of whom he admired and wrote about—Roth was concerned with the relationships between the Jewish religion and contemporary philosophical ideas. He was a practical philosopher, and was particularly interested in the application of Jewish ethical principles to the problems of his time. Roth's ideal of Judaism as a way of life came into sharp conflict with developments in Palestine after the establishment of the State of Israel. He was particularly troubled by the wanton killing of civilians and by the treatment of refugees following the fighting in 1947–8. In 1953 he resigned his Chair and returned to England. In the remaining ten years of his life he travelled and lectured widely, and wrote most of the essays included in this volume. He died suddenly at the conclusion of a tour of New Zealand, just after his sixty-seventh birthday.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781874774556
ISBN 10	1874774552
Title	Is There a Jewish Philosophy?
Author	Leon Roth
Series	The Littman Library Of Jewish Civilization
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Liverpool University Press
Year published	1999-03-01
Number of pages	220
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.