Modern Jewish Thought Summary

Modernity and the Jewish individual are the topics being discussed in the entry titled Modern Jewish Thought by Leora Batnitzky. Leora Batnitzky addresses the complicated question “What value is there to Judaism in an age in which Jews do not have to be defined as Jews?”. Using modern jewish philosophers and as well their beliefs and cultural backgrounds Leora aims to answer this complex question as well as lead the reader to ask and form their own opinions on this topic. In order to begin diving into this complex question, Leora starts the discussion by addressing Moses Mendelssohn and Hermann Cohen who are some of the most well known philosophers of Jewish thought. Moses Mendelssohn is described as a Jewish man during a time where the Jewish people did not have civil rights. Mendelssohn is known for his argument that Judaism compliments the modern national state as well as his argument for separation of church and state. Leora discussed Mendelssohn’s work in order to better aid in answering the overlying question. Mendelssohn argued during his time that Jerusalem: or on religious power in Judaism that by definition of state concerns power and coercion while judaism does not …show more content…
Rosenzweig is described as finding Judaism through christianity when he was considering converting. While trying to convert he learned more about the religion he was leaving and decided against conversion. He formed the belief that there is a kind of religions sibling relationship between Christianity and Judaism. He also believed the real problem was that humanity was Jewishly ignorant. On the other hand Buber had a very traditional Jewish upbringing and education, so as he grew older Buber believed Hasidism captured true meaning of Judaism, the fact that it has to do with the experience and not only religion was the main idea for his