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Viewing Orthodoxy and modernity

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In the twentieth century, Jewish Orthodoxy experienced a golden age of leaders and teachers who sought to bridge the world of Torah and that of the West. Some of these Torah figures were deeply impacted by an academic field, such as philosophy or literature. Others developed a Torah-based perspective on developments within the West, such as the rise of Zionism, democracy, or biotechnology. Still others reflected on the very nature of religious knowledge.

“Torah and Western Thought, Intellectual Portraits of Orthodoxy and Modernity” presents to us a unique collection of essays by leading orthodox thinkers who illuminate for us a valuable profile of our faith based upon the lives and teachings of the leadership of our faith for this past century.

The great thinkers profiled in this work include Rabbi Yehuda Amital, Rabbi Yitzchak Herzog, Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits, Rav Avraham Kook, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Prof. Nechama Leibowitz, Rabbi Joseph Soloveichik and Rabbi Aharon Soloveichik, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveichik, and Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky. Their teachings will prove to be invaluable to many for many years to come.

A unique collection of essays painting intellectual portraits of the above thinkers are written by contemporary scholars Rabbi Shalom Carmy, Rabbi Dr. Carmi Horowitz, Dr. Alan Jotkowitz, Dr. Yehuda Mirsky, Dr. Daniel Rynhold, Rabbi Dr. David Shatz, Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik, Yael Unterman, Rabbi Dr. Itamar Warhaftig, Rabbi Reuven Ziegler, and Rabbi Shlomo Zuckier.

“Torah and Western Thought” is published by Maggid Books, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem, in collaboration with Yeshiva University.

In addition to this valued book please note the following citation concerning another valued book by Rabbi Chaim Jachter, titled “Reason To Believe,” wherein the following opinion by Rabbi Shmuel Goldin is cited for our edification:

“Rabbi Chaim Jachter’s extraordinary blend of scholarship, talent and experience makes his teachings most qualified for our attention.

“In ‘Reason to Believe,’ Rabbi Jachter brings to bear vast Torah knowledge, decades as a master educator and sensitive personal insight as he tackles the critical questions of faith and belief that confront young and old in today’s world.

“Readers of all backgrounds and outlooks throughout the Jewish community will be amazed and reassured as the author openly raises the very questions that they themselves have been asking and as he provides an array of profound, convincing responses to those questions.”

Shanah Tovah to all our valued readers.