Books of the People: Revisiting Classic Works of Jewish Thought

Edited by Stuart W. Halpern. Maggid, $29.95 (350p) ISBN 978-1-59264-470-4

Yeshiva University’s Halpern (Torah and Western Thought), and the 12 contributors to this volume, exceed its stated goal—to provide concise, yet comprehensive introductions to works of Jewish thought that “should be an essential part of every Jewish library,” in order to inspire readers to seek out the original works. Given the age of some of the works included (the first classic examined is Rav Saadia Gaon’s Emunot VeDeot, from the 10th century C.E.), each of the scholars analyzing them must explain “how contemporary readers might find meaning and relevance in texts written in intellectual and religious climates so different from our own.” They all do so clearly and without glossing over troubling material—for example, Rabbi Judah Halevi’s view of Jewish chosenness. The author of the chapter on Halevi, Rabbi Meir Y. Soloveichik, does an especially good job of making his subject topical, noting how a 20th-century issue concerning when the Sabbath begins in Japan—of great practical concern for European refugees who found themselves resettled there—was anticipated, and resolved, in the 12th century. Both newcomers to classic works and readers familiar with them will benefit from these clearly written and insightful essays. (Mar.)