Eugene B. Borowitz – författare

Judaism After Modernity presents a collection of writings by America's leading liberal Jewish theologian, who relates his activity as a prominent thinker in modern Judaism. Eugene B. Borowitz provides insights into his spiritual life and development as a prelude to his discussion of personal faith. His papers illustrate and reflect upon the intellectual religious path that led to the development of his postmodern Jewish theology expressed in his systemic statement of 1991, Renewing the Covenant. His writings reveal how he arrived at his unique position and describe how making this statement instigated the further development of his position. Borowitz then discusses the typical Jewish interest in praxis, what one is to do, rather than in doxis, what one says about one's beliefs, incorporating such issues as aging and Zionism. Finally, he presents his relations with his teacher Abraham J. Heschel, and deals with various interfaith issues through his relations with Arnold J. Wolf (a Jewish peer), John Hick, Frans Josef van Beeck, and Masao Abe (three famous non-Jewish teachers).

Analyzes the structure and logic of aggadic discourse in the Talmud.In this pioneering effort, noted Jewish philosopher Eugene B. Borowitz opens up the rules by which the language-game of aggadic discourse is carried on in the Talmud, the foundational document of rabbinic and all later Judaism. These findings are compared with the aggadah (the realm in which almost all explicit statements about classic Jewish religious belief occur) of some other early rabbinic writings. Two issues drive Borowitz's inquiry: What, if anything, constrains the unprecedented freedom of this realm? and How might one positively characterize the aggadah? Borowitz introduces us to the rabbis not only in their amazing profundity, but also in their unguarded humanity. He concludes with a reflection on how this old Jewish language-game should influence contemporary Jewish thought, and, perhaps, other religious thought as well.

Analyzes the structure and logic of aggadic discourse in the Talmud.In this pioneering effort, noted Jewish philosopher Eugene B. Borowitz opens up the rules by which the language-game of aggadic discourse is carried on in the Talmud, the foundational document of rabbinic and all later Judaism. These findings are compared with the aggadah (the realm in which almost all explicit statements about classic Jewish religious belief occur) of some other early rabbinic writings. Two issues drive Borowitz's inquiry: What, if anything, constrains the unprecedented freedom of this realm? and How might one positively characterize the aggadah? Borowitz introduces us to the rabbis not only in their amazing profundity, but also in their unguarded humanity. He concludes with a reflection on how this old Jewish language-game should influence contemporary Jewish thought, and, perhaps, other religious thought as well.

Borowitz creatively explores his theory of Covenant, linking self to folk and God through the contemporary idiom of relationship.

A JPS Scholar of Distinction title Noted educator, author, and speaker Eugene Borowitz delivers the fruits of his scholarship with grace in this new addition to the JPS Scholar of Distinction series. Gathered in this single volume are 33 essays covering the themes of modern Jewish theology, education, the history of Reform Judaism in America, Jewish law, ethics, and religious dialogue. This collection will appeal to a wide audience, including rabbis; scholars; and readers of religion, modern Jewish thought, and liturgy.