Covenant and Community in Modern Judaism

(Hardback)

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While scholars agree on the continuing importance of biblical covenant as a foundation of Judaism, they often disagree in their perception of the meaning and significance of this concept in a modern context. Breslauer addresses the disputed issues in a thorough examination of the debate itself, together with the biblical data and theological interpretations that support covenantal religion. Searching for new definitions of covenant, he suggests ways in which covenantal images offer positive and realistic answers to the problems that modern society poses for the practicing Jew. Beginning with an explanation of the basic elements of covenantal Judaism, the author explores the problems raised by that paradigm, particularly as set forth in the work of Richard Rubenstein. Themes considered in the chapters that follow include the problem of being a Jew in contemporary society, the nature of human freedom, and the implications of covenantal religion for both community and personal identity. The discussion draws on major Judaic sources, including Hasidic works, Talmudic stories, and the Bible, as well as such contemporary thinkers as Martin Buber, Jacob Agus, and Will Herberg. The author concludes by drawing together the various themes and proposing a covenantal paradigm that affirms Jewish religion as a valid option in the modern world. A comprehensive annotated bibliography is supplied. Combining historical investigation with constructive analysis of present-day issues, this book will be of interest to both scholars and general readers concerned with contemporary Judaism.

Reviews

Breslauer's thesis is three-fold: that for Jews the concept of covenant provides the basis for personal identity, communal values, and intergroup relations; that modern Jewish experience has challenged the continued viability of covenant theology; and that covenant, properly construed, can successfully meet these challenges. This exercise in reinterpreting and defending covenant theology weaves together the analysis of classical Jewish sources, Hasidic stories (especially concerning the Kotzker), and the reflections of contemporary Jewish thinkers. Breslauer's covenant emerges as quintesentially modern in the liberal tradition--universalistic, affirming of human potential, concerned with social justice, and messianic. . . . Breslauer's work represents a thoughtful, cogent statement of the possibilities inherent in covenant theology, and it is more nuanced and broader in scope than his A New Jewish Ethics (1983). Annotated bibliography. Recommended for undergraduate and theological school libraries, and general collections of Judaica.-Choice
"Breslauer's thesis is three-fold: that for Jews the concept of covenant provides the basis for personal identity, communal values, and intergroup relations; that modern Jewish experience has challenged the continued viability of covenant theology; and that covenant, properly construed, can successfully meet these challenges. This exercise in reinterpreting and defending covenant theology weaves together the analysis of classical Jewish sources, Hasidic stories (especially concerning the Kotzker), and the reflections of contemporary Jewish thinkers. Breslauer's covenant emerges as quintesentially modern in the liberal tradition--universalistic, affirming of human potential, concerned with social justice, and messianic. . . . Breslauer's work represents a thoughtful, cogent statement of the possibilities inherent in covenant theology, and it is more nuanced and broader in scope than his A New Jewish Ethics (1983). Annotated bibliography. Recommended for undergraduate and theological school libraries, and general collections of Judaica."-Choice

Author Bio

S. DANIEL BRESLAUER is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas. He is the author of Meir Kahane: Ideologue, Hero, Thinker, Contemporary Jewish Ethics: A Bibliographic Survey (Greenwood Press, 1985), Modern Jewish Morality: A Bibliographic Survey (Greenwood Press, 1986) and other books. He is a frequent contributor to journals of theology and philosophy.