Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew

by Neil Gillman

The modern Jew, living in a world of shattered beliefs and competing ideologies, is often confronted with questions of faith. Sacred Fragments is for those who still care enough to continue the struggle. In forthright, nontechnical language the author addresses the most difficult theological questions of our time and shows that there are still viable Jewish answers for even the greatest skeptics.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Religion, Nonfiction, Judaica, Philosophy, Theology

289 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1990

Reviews

[Hedon D'Ennui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to read this book by my Rabbi as an introduction to conservative theology for the purposes of conversion. It was an extremely comprehensive introduction to the subject: it took me several months to get through, as I would have to often put the book down to consider what I have read. I entered this space knowing nearly nothing on the subject, and it dissolved the few preconceptions I had had.

I would absolutely suggest this book to anyone with even an interest in Judaism, for personal or practical curiosity. I look forward to writing my personal reflection and consuming the lengthy list of suggestions for further reading provided for each subject covered in the book.

[Michelle M Victora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not Jewish (just going on an exploration) but I liked this book a lot, and it's probably because it talked so much about the secular Jew, and explains how it makes sense to update midrash based on society and our experience. It was valuable to acknowledge that some people are part of a religion more for the community and society than strict, blind follow of the religious text. And it meant a lot to have someone say that religious text can serve more as a connection to deeper meaning, and a pathway to uncovering something deeper, than an actual literal truth about what's going to happen to all of us. And I liked how, in the end, he talked about how theology isn't only for the theologists -- that everyone can go on their own journey (and many are).

I did get a little bored in some parts of the book, and some things went over my head a bit just 'cause I'm not religious/haven't read all of the Bible or Torah. But I was not the intended audience and I still liked it!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a graduate class in Jewish Thought and Theology.

I wasn’t expecting to find enlightenment in a slightly dated, conservative book that attempts to summarize so many theological notions of modern Judaism. But I was wrong.

Gilman provides an excellent synopsis of a variety of topics, my favorites being ritual, existentialism, and the problem of evil. Each sentence is so dense and yet thoroughly detailed with awesome information that you have to reread chapters to even come to the slightest appreciation for Gillman’s brilliancy. The author is also unafraid to take a few jabs at his competing theologians, especially the likes of Mordecai Kaplan and even a few Christian denominations, but does so in a way that only provides the contestation to be pondered, rather than opinionated superiority. The problem with shorter introductory books like this, however, is that it can miss a few notable things. I find Gillman’s takes on empiricism to be too easily dismissive, and I find his conversation on suffering to not be specific enough.

Overall, this is a solid and wonderful book with magnificent insights to conservative Judaism. I would recommend this to anyway interested in an introductory course to Judaic thinking, but warn them that you’ll be reading every paragraph more than once.

[Sid Groeneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a serious but accessible overview of the major issues in Jewish theology. Author Neil Gillman was a member of the Conservative movement's rabbinical body, the Rabbinical Assembly, and a professor of Jewish philosophy at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York. In dealing with the core question of any religion's theology, Sacred Fragments details three alternative pathways of attaining awareness of God's existence--apart from the traditional approach, that it is commanded--rationality (e.g., Maimonides), experience (e.g., Yehuda Halevi, Heschel, Kaplan), and existential (e.g., Buber, Rosenzweig). Understanding the varieties and nuances between and within these perspectives would be sufficient justification for the book. But in goes beyond by addressing other theological questions such as why God permits evil and suffering, the functions of religious ritual including prayer, and visions of an afterlife. The perspective revealed is non-dogmatic Conservative Judaism. Sacred Fragments should appeal to Jews (as well as inquisitive non-Jews) desiring to understand the varying positions of Jewish philosophy and how it has emerged from Biblical times.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a beautiful read. Gillman takes all the big scary concepts in religion and breaks them down to mainstream and non-traditional avenues. He is optimistic and community-oriented, and overall, he focuses on the message of exploration and inclusiveness. Gillman's approach doesn't cheapen the philosophical ideas that drive theology, but he also doesn't feel the need to stick with overly academic language. He does a lovely job of providing textual evidence as well as historical context to try to explain why certain influential thinkers proposed the ideas that they did. This was a really fantastic way to guide myself into self-study of Judaism. I'm sure I will re-read this many, many times until my notes in the margins are completely illegible.

[Andrew Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

✡️ ✨ Sacred Fragments by Neil Gillman ✨ ✡️
I didn’t agree with a LOT of this book. I was under the impression that it would be more of an unbiased approach to talking about various Jewish theological thoughts but instead it read more as an argument for traditionalist philosophy and anti-folkway thought.

The author says a few times that atheists lack the intellect or simply have too much arrogance to believe which I whole heartedly disagree with. He also clearly doesn’t like Mordecai Kaplan which I immediately find issue with.

But I’m still glad I read it to get someone else’s perspective. I learned something nonetheless.

3/5 ⭐️

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book you have to want to be engaged with, but if you're interested in the subject matter it is very rewarding. While dealing with a lot of deep dish subjects like "why is there evil?" and "how can we know God?" Rabbi Gillman takes us through serious discussions in clear, readable language, pausing to explain words (like theodicy and eschatology) that may not be part of your regular vocabulary. His goal is for this to speak to people from all sorts of religious and educational backgrounds, so there are no assumptions as to what you should or ought to know or believe.

[Wendy Spector · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how and why people engage in religion, whether they are Jewish or not. Gilman reviews basic concepts of belief, ritual and community over the centuries, from a range of thinkers and perspectives from the fields of philosophy, sociology and politics to illuminate theology.

[Ella M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is DENSE. I do not recommend speed-reading it; take it slowly and mull over every paragraph. It was very informative, which I appreciated, but it used the O-slur at least four times, which lost it a star all on its own.

[Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to understand contemporary Jewish thought and/or anyone who wondering how to reconcile their religious beliefs with modern life.

[Jamey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intellectually honest, because theologically eviscerated. I agree with this smart, able book, which has the courage to admit that the world exhibits heinous evils, and therefore no God (if there were a God) could be both all-powerful and all-loving.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, accessible (though slightly dated) introduction to Jewish theology.

[Jimmacc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very big influence on how I view alternate viewpoints in religion. A very strong influence for understanding the lessons various views can bring.