Studying Judaism: The Critical Issues
Ebook
This volume in the Studying World Religions series is an essential guide to the study of Judaism. Clearly structured to cover all the major areas of study, including historical foundations, scripture, worship, society, material culture, thought and ethics, this is the ideal study aid for those approaching Judaism for the first time. Studying Judaism offers readers the chance to engage with a religious tradition as a diverse, living phenomenon. Its approach is 'critical' in two major respects: its use of the dimensional approach to the study of religions as an interpretive framework, and its focus on matters perceived as problematic by insider and/or outsider commentators, such as gender, demography, geo-politics, the 'museumization' of Jewish cultures and its impact on religion and identity. This book is the perfect companion for the fledgling student of Judaism.
Concise study guide for the fledgling student of Judaism, covering critical issues and methodology.
Students studying a world religion as an option may never have encountered theoretical/critical aspects of studying religion before. This book delivers both subject content and methodology to remedy this situation.
Rather than attempting to be comprehensive (at which introductory volumes generally fail) this text will be primarily a study guide, giving students access to easily available resources including film and fiction.
Treats religious studies as a serious academic enterprise, not as a soft or easy option lacking critical content. Draws out the broad and often controversial critical issues and looks at how these impact on people's lives globally.
Author
Biography
Tribute
Series Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. What is Judaism?
3. Authority
4. Worship, Festivals and Mysticism
5. Beliefs
6. Gender
7. Politics
8. Culture
9. Memory
10. Jews and Others
11. Studying Judaism: the critical issues: the future
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Melanie Wright bequeaths the reader an insightful and valuable introduction to the study of Judaism.Her lifetime's devotion to Jewish studies, especially to Jewish culture, makes this book essential for anyone interested in the varieties of Judaism.
Melanie Wright has accomplished an almost impossible task, in compiling an account of Judaism that is comprehensive, readable, fresh and innovative. She writes as a sympathetic outsider, deeply sensitive to different (sometimes conflicting) currents, and to ever-changing concerns. Above all, her reflections on how Judaism - indeed, any religion - ought to be studied merit serious attention.
- Title: Studying Judaism: The Critical Issues
- Author: Melanie J. Wright
- Publisher: Continuum
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781472538888, 9780826497192, 0826497195, 1472538889
- Resource ID: LLS:9781472538888
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-05-15T15:36:54Z
Melanie J. Wright was Academic Director of the Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations, and a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University, UK. She is the author of numerous articles and books including Understanding Judaism, and Religion and Film: An Introduction. With Lucia Faltin she co-edited The Religious Roots of Contemporary European Identity, which is also published by Continuum.