New ‘Reflections,’ Hartman Institute E-Magazine of Ideas, Now Online

The newest issue of Reflections, the Shalom Hartman Institute electronic magazine of ideas, is now online. Read these five great articles:

Israeli Society and the ‘Society of Learners’

Professors Shlomo Naeh, Zvi Zohar and Elhanan Reiner discuss the place of Torah scholars within the Jewish People throughout the generations, and the relevance of models from Jewish history to the current political rift

The Secrets of ‘Guide to the Perplexed’

Dr. Micah Goodman, who is currently completing the first book in Hebrew that is completely dedicated to the Guide to the Perplexed, explains why he also chose to reveal its secrets

Ancient Jewish Magic

Dr. Ishay Rosen-Zvi surveys Yovel Harari’s book on magic in Judaism, which shatters some of the myths relating to magic

Devekut

As shown by Dr.Adam Afterman, devekut was a marginal commandment in the time of the Sages. Only under the influence of external philosophies did the great medieval Jewish thinkers give it a new meaning and a more significant status

Abraham Abulafia

Professor Moshe Idel’s survey clarifies how even amongst self-declared messiahs, the 13th century Abulafia was a unique figure

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Hartman Institute scholars, ideas, friends in the news

A student who attended the Religion and the Challenge of Modernity conference at Grand Valley State University in Michigan earlier this month had this to say about Donniel Hartman’s presentation there:

Donniel Hartman, the first lecturer of the day at this conference, did a very good job not only presenting his thoughts, but introducing a theme that could be common in almost every religion. We all have our challenges with modernity, and it creates multiple identities. When we have these multiple identities, we tend to lose sight of who we really are. Years ago, if you referred to someone as Jewish, you knew everything you needed to know about them. Now-a-days this isn’t necessarily the case. People now have more complex identities.

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David Hartman on future of Israeli-Palestinian matters

We don’t get enough of David Hartman on our main website (mea culpa). But we have a new and, as usual, provocative, piece from Rabbi David on the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He says it far better than I can.

If we allow the God of Creation to channel our particular religious traditions, the future need not be buried by the past. We must never be discouraged by the obstacles encountered in our search for peace. The anger and bitterness of the past must not inhibit new thinking and bold initiatives. Our total commitment to resolve the tragic conflict with the Palestinians will be the finest expression of our loyalty to a tradition which seeks to unify solidarity with all of humanity and gratitude for the gift of Judaic particularity.

Read his entire piece here – and be better off for having done so.

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Hanukkah Sameach: Enjoy something more filling than a latke

It’s that time of year again, when Jerusalem “lights up” every evening with the blaze of thousands of candles and oil-tipped wicks.

Hanukkah is more than latkes (לביבות – levivot in Hebrew) and sufganiyot (fried doughnuts with all sorts of fillings). Hanukkah is a fascinating holiday of freedom, nationalism, liberation, contention, and internal debate. Click here to read a fascinating essay by the Institute’s Noam Zion on David Hartman’s assessment of Maimonides’ Hanukkah philosophy.

On that same page you will a link to a Hebrew course curriculum for Hanukkah, as well, also from Noam Zion.

Master Teacher Noam Zion knows what he is talking about when it comes to Hanukkah – and many other holidays. He is the co-author of the groundbreaking work, A Different Light – The Big Book of Hanukkah, and several related volumes. Find out more on those holiday books, and others, by clicking here.

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