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Nine Talmudic Readings
These nine masterful readings of the Talmud by the renowned French Jewish philosopher translate Jewish thought into the language of modern times.
One of the major continental philosophers of the twentieth century, Emmanuel Levinas was also an important Talmudic commentator. Between 1963 and 1975, he delivered an enlightening and influential series of commentaries at the annual Talmudic colloquia of a group of French Jewish intellectuals in Paris.
In this collection, Levinas applies a hermeneutic that simultaneously allows the classic Jewish texts to shed light on contemporary problems and lets modern problems illuminate the texts. Besides being quintessential illustrations of the art of reading, the essays express the deeply ethical vision of the human condition that makes Levinas one of the most important thinkers of our time.
One of the major continental philosophers of the twentieth century, Emmanuel Levinas was also an important Talmudic commentator. Between 1963 and 1975, he delivered an enlightening and influential series of commentaries at the annual Talmudic colloquia of a group of French Jewish intellectuals in Paris.
In this collection, Levinas applies a hermeneutic that simultaneously allows the classic Jewish texts to shed light on contemporary problems and lets modern problems illuminate the texts. Besides being quintessential illustrations of the art of reading, the essays express the deeply ethical vision of the human condition that makes Levinas one of the most important thinkers of our time.
351 pages, ebook
Published May 1, 2019
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October 6, 2024
This was really dense, and challenging to read. There's so much depth in each essay, and I really love Levinas' main idea of Judaism's focus on the rights and needs of the other. It complements Buber's "I/Thou" really well, and pushes back against the narcissistic "sovereign self". The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is the essay "And God Created Woman" bends over all different kinds of ways to explain why there needs to be a hierarchy between men and women, and that men need to be on top. It may have rung true in 1972, but given Levinas' brilliance, I'm disappointed he couldn't discern a more equitable interpretation.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review