The span of Rabbi Jehiel Jacob Weinberg's life (1884-1966) illuminates the religious and intellectual dilemmas that traditional Jewry has faced over the past century. Rabbi Weinberg became a central ideologue of modern Orthodoxy because of his positive attitude to secular studies and Zionism and his willingness to respond to social change in interpreting the halakhah; despite his traditional training in a Lithuanian yeshiva. But Weinberg was an unusual man: even at a time when he was defending the traditional yeshiva against all attempts at reform; he always maintained an interest in the wider world. He left Lithuania for Germany at the beginning of the First World War; attended the University of Giessen; and increasingly identified with the Berlin school of German Orthodoxy. Although initially an apologist for the Nazi regime; he was soon recognized as German Orthodoxy's most eminent halakhic authority in its efforts to maintain religious tradition in the face of Nazi persecution.His approach; then and in his later halakhic writings; including the famous Seridei esh; derived from the conviction that the attempt to shore up Orthodoxy by increased religious stringency would only reduce its popular appeal. - Using a great deal of unpublished material; including private correspondence; Marc Shapiro discusses many aspects of Weinberg's life. In doing so he elucidates many institutional and intellectual phenomena of the Jewish world; a number of which have so far received little scholarly attention: the yeshivas of Lithuania; the state of the Lithuanian rabbinate; the musar movement; the Jews of eastern Europe in Weimar Germany; the Torah im Derekh Eretz movement and its variants; Orthodox Jewish attitudes towards Wissenschaft des Judentums; and the special problems of Orthodox Jews in Nazi Germany. Throughout; he shows the complex nature of Weinberg's character and the inner struggles of a man being pulled in different directions. Compellingly and authoritatively written; his fascinating conclusions are quite different from those presented in earlier historical treatments of the period.
#453063 in Books Tauris Parke Paperbacks 2001-04-14Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.14 x .54 x 5.10l; .76 #File Name: 1860646034320 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A must-have for cooks interested in Middle Eastern food!By Jacqualyn SaundersAn interesting combination of historical research; recipes and cultural analysis; this book has some wonderful avenues to wander down. You can read it strictly for the recipes...you can read it for the historical research...you can read it for fascinating insight into the lives of the Medieval Middle East.Try some of the recipes...you'll be surprised at just how complex the flavors can be; and just how TASTY they are!0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. well researched and informativeBy Christopher AlexanderThis is a excellent book for anybody who is interested in the culinary history; edicates; and foods native to the middle east; north africa and central asia. this is a wealth of information that will be read by all culinarians and people who are interested in the subject. the book covers information on the origins of dishes like chicken pilaf; sambusak; ful medammas and ect. i highly recommend this book for students of culinary cultures and heritages.29 of 29 people found the following review helpful. Insight into Middle Eastern CultureBy Michelle WaltonThis book is an academic sociological study on the cultures of the Middle East using food studies as its medium. Although it does not contain any recipies; the essays provide facinating insight into the attitudes and customs involving food. This book would be enjoyed by anthropologists; archaeologists; extreme foodies; and those interested in a deeper understanding of social and cultural aspects of food production and consumption.
