The Philosophy of the Bible as Foundation of Jewish Culture: Philosophy of Biblical Law

by Eliezer Schweid, Leonard Levin (Translator)

Overview

Like Spinoza in his Theological-Political Treatise, Schweid helps us grasp the potential for seeing radically new messages in this oldest of books, the Bible. 

The American Founding Fathers realized that the Bible offers strong support for the doctrine of popular sovereignty. Socially, it offers a message of egalitarianism, especially in the provisions of the Jubilee. It is hardly an accident that two modern political movements found mottos ready at hand from the 25th chapter of Leviticus: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (engraved on the Liberty Bell), and “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity” (motto of the Jewish National Fund). 

Schweid helps us to appreciate the broader message of the narrative of creation and settlement of the land in its ecumenical and planetary dimensions. The world is God’s creation, and its resources are to be deployed as necessary for the sustenance and need-fulfillment of all peoples and all creatures equally—a message very much relevant to the ecological crisis facing us all at the present time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781934843017
Publisher:	Academic Studies Press
Publication date:	01/01/2009
Series:	Reference Library of Jewish Intellectual History
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Eliezer Schweid (1929-2022) was Professor Emeritus of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University. He published over forty books in general and specific areas of Jewish thought of all periods, and commented frequently on the relevance of the legacy of Jewish thought to contemporary issues of Jewish and universal human concern. He was the recipient of the distinguished Israel Prize and two honorary doctorates. Leonard Levin teaches Jewish philosophy at the Academy for Jewish Religion, Yonkers, NY.

Table of Contents

Preface. A Fresh Reading — Freeing Ourselves of Old Stereotypes. The Complementarity of Law and Narrative. 1. The Law of the Kingdom of God. Exodus from Slavery to Freedom as a Legislative-Politcal Act: The Process of Formation and Establishment of the Kingdom of God in His People. Institutionalizing the Ideal of "Kingdom of God" in His People. The Return to Slavery and the Dilemma of the Difference between the Law of Slavery and the Law of Freedom. The Ideational Background for Realizing the Transition: What is the Difference between the Law of Slavery and the Law of Freedom? The Gradual Descent of the Kingdom of God from the Mythic to the Historical Plane: From Prophecy to Wisdom. The Idea of the Covenant and the Basic Values of the Law of Freedom and Justice. Judicial Justice as Covenantal Principle - Its General Application and the Concept of Truth. Social Justice as Fulfillment of the Vison of Creation. The Problem of Poverty and the Ethic of Neighborly Love. Statutory Law that Regenerates the Egalitarian Basis of Social Justice. The Structure of the Kingdom of Priests: The Problem of Authority and Cooperative Functioning of All the Powers of Government. Between Israel and the Nations. 2. Deuteronomy (the "Second Torah") - The Beginning of Renewal of the Written Torah as Oral Torah. The Difference between Moses' and Joshua's Leadership and the Perpetuity of Moses' Leadership in the People. Deuteronomy's Uniqueness as Embodiment of Moses' Leadership of the People. The Difference between Moses and Joshua. The Problem of Succession Continued. Deuteronomy as Oral Law. Legislative Innovations in Deuteronomy. The Transition in Deuteronomy from the Plane of myth to History. When and by Whom Was Deuteronomy Written? The Transition from the "Scribes" to the "Men of the Great Synagogue". 3. The Partnership of Man and Woman in the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Equality and Inequality of Persons in the Reciprocal Relation of Individuals and the Community. The Reciprocal Relation of Individual and Community. The Hierarchical Relation of Man and Woman. Man's Acquistion-Ownership of Woman. "Acquisition of Relationship" versus Acquisition of Property. How is the Husband's "Acquisition" of His Wife Expressed? Woman's Autonomy in the Light of the Torah's Legislation. The Difference Between the Wife's Status vis-a-vis Her Husband and Her Status as Mother vis-a-vis Her Children. The Myth of Mankind's Creation as a Couple in God's Image: Destiny, Sin and Redemption. 4. Universalism and Particularism - Openness to Foreign Cultures and Isolation from their Influence. Index.