Of the many challenges facing liberal democracy; none is as powerful and pervasive today as those posed by religion. These are the challenges taken up in Obligations of Citizenship and Demands of Faith; an exploration of the place of religion in contemporary public life. The essays in this volume suggest that two important shifts have altered the balance between the competing obligations of citizenship and faith: the growth of religious pluralism and the escalating calls of religious groups for some measure of autonomy or recognition from democratic majorities. The authors--political theorists; philosophers; legal scholars; and social scientists--collectively argue that more room should be made for religion in today's democratic societies. Though they advocate different ways of carving out and justifying the proper bounds of "church and state" in pluralist democracies; they all write from within democratic theory and share the aim of democratic accommodation of religion. Alert to national differences in political circumstances and the particularities of constitutional and legal systems; these contributors consider the question of religious accommodation from the standpoint of institutional practices and law as well as that of normative theory. Unique in its interdisciplinary approach and comparative focus; this volume makes a timely and much-needed intervention in current debates about religion and politics. The contributors are Nancy L. Rosenblum; Alan Wolfe; Ronald Thiemann; Michael McConnell; Graham Walker; Amy Gutmann; Kent Greenawalt; Aviam Soifer; Harry Hirsch; Gary Jacobsohn; Yael Tamir; Martha Nussbaum; and Carol Weisbrod.
#117782 in Books Rabbi Morris N Kertzer 1996-11-01 1996-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x 1.20 x 5.50l; .67 #File Name: 068484298X336 pagesWhat Is a Jew
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. One of the Best Definitionsw EverBy Dav LevThe former Chaplain has written the best book about exactly what is a Jew that I'm aware of.This book should be recommended not only toevery Jew ( various streams) but also non-Jews; who think they know and are usually wrong.19m Jews were living prior to WW2; after about 13m.; which hasn't changed since then. For those who convert to; there are 10 who convert out.Intermarriage and assimilation are dwindlingthe people. Only the obvious are obvious. Closet Jews abound. Jewish institutions are dying ( communit centers). Non-Jews have an advantage we don't; they have their Messiah.We have a concept.; not enough to sustain us.17% are kosher; and most Jews dont attendthe temple. Disobeying the Laws of Mosesis in vogue. Liberalism has replaced Torahin most homes. Christmas trees are acceptedas part of the US culture. What is a Jew; givessome definition in an otherwise futile effort.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great primer on Judaism!By Jeanne HollandI must have given away a dozen copies of this book to interested non-Jewish friends who want to know the differences between Judaism and Christianity and to better understand Judaism.33 of 33 people found the following review helpful. Really neat introduction!By Thomas J. BruciaSome books on religion give a warm fuzzy feeling - others give a lot of detailed information. This work is definitely in category two! In a question-response format (114 of each); this volume manages to cover almost anything one would want to know about Judaism. Originally written by the late Rabbi Morris N. Kertner; his nephew Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman has updated it. ("What Is a Jew" was first published in 1953; and has gone through three revisions; and countless reprints.) A new feature I found very useful in this revised edition is its transliteration of Hebrew words -- abundant in this work -- as they occur; together with their meanings. The 148 Hebrew (and occasionally Yiddish or Aramaic) terms used throughout the text are brought together in a glossary at the end of the volume; too. ---- Though this book is written from a "middle of the road" Jewish perspective; it carefully points out the differences between the four contemporary major divisions of Judaism (Reform; Conservative; Orthodox; and Reconstructionist schools). "What Is a Jew" also gives fair treatment to the Chasidim (Hassidim); and such historical schools as the Sadducees; Pharisees; Mitnagdim; and others. To give an idea of the range of questions covered in this paperback; here is a brief sample: "Who Were `The Rabbis'?"; "What is Halachah?"; "Is There a Priesthood in Judaism?"; "Do Jews Believe Literally in Satan?"; "According to Judaism; Do Animals Have Rights?"; "What is the Difference Between A Synagogue; a Shul; and A Temple?"; Why Do Some Jews Keep Only One Day of a Holy Day; While Others Keep Two?"; and "What Is the Jewish Attitude Toward Divorce?"; "Does Judaism Accept Converts?"; and many other equally interesting topics. ---- I believe that whoever masters the contents of this fascinating volume will be well on his/her way to a fascinating voyage of discovery. Any non-Jew (like myself) who has ever been invited to a Bar Mitzvah; and has come out of the synagogue laden with questions; will find his/her journey out of ignorance a pleasant and rewarding one! This is as good a guide as I have been able to find...
