The Philosophy of the Bible as Foundation of Jewish Culture - Philosophy of Biblical Narrative (Paperback)

The Hebrew Bible forms the central point from which all Jewish philosophers begin their task of coming to terms with our present day society. This is the bedrock upon which Israeli philosopher Eliezer Schweid bases his two-volume book, newly translated from the original Hebrew. Each generation of thinkers has reimagined and reinterpreted the Bible's lessons. Schweid traces the intellectual footsteps of some of history's most preeminent Jewish philosophers, beginning with Spinoza and Mendelssohn, down through early twentieth century thinkers such as Franz Rosenzweig. Then, contemplating a post-war world cut away from its philosophical moorings, Schweid comes to grips with the crossroads at which our society finds itself today, and bends his own intellect to the time-honored task of reminding his contemporaries of the Bible's continued relevance in guiding our moral and ethical outlook. Eliezer Schweid is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University. He has published 40 books in both general and specific areas of Jewish thought of all periods, and has commented frequently on the relevance of the legacy of Jewish thought to contemporary issues of Jewish and universal human concern. He is the recipient of the distinguished Israel Prize and two honorary doctorates.