Come Now, Let Us Reason Together

Uncovering the Torah's Liberal Values

Mark D Friedman

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English

Resource Publications (CA)
30 December 2024

History of religion; Judaism; Judaism: theology

This volume seeks to correct a widespread fundamental misconception about Judaism. Because the ultra-Orthodox follow ancient Jewish traditions and strictly adhere to halakhah (Jewish law), it is commonly believed that the repressive, rigidly hierarchical norms and social institutions that characterize their communities represent authentic Judaism. This view is profoundly mistaken. Judaism's true values are only ascertainable from its canonical books and in the discourse of the rabbis who ""reinvented"" Judaism after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, substituting prayer and textual study for temple sacrifice. The rabbis' legal debates, biblical interpretations, and fanciful stories are recorded in the Talmud and other classic sources, and show that these religious leaders firmly reject dogmatism, and embrace controversy, dissent, pluralism, moral autonomy, tolerance and, when required by changing social conditions, radical innovation. The Hebrew Bible is itself rife with intertextual disputes regarding crucial theological questions that preclude pat answers regarding what Judaism ""says"" or ""means."" It seems that God has given us wide latitude to think for ourselves. As argued in this study, the Torah does not provide us with the ultimate truth, but gives us the best and surest means of obtaining it.

By: Mark D Friedman
Imprint: Resource Publications (CA)
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 308g
ISBN: 9798385223336
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 30 December 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

After retiring from the successful practice of corporate law, Mark D. Friedman returned to his first love, the study of philosophy. Two of his books on moral/political theory have been published by a respected academic press. He lives in a small town outside of Seattle, with his family of four, and is very active in his local synagogue. His interests include attending his children's activities and family travel.

Reviews for Come Now, Let Us Reason Together: Uncovering the Torah's Liberal Values

""The legal and political scholar, Mark D. Friedman, offers a learned yet accessible work that defends, promotes, and elucidates a liberal and pluralistic reading of the Jewish tradition. In his first foray into Jewish philosophy, Friedman touches upon multiple issues relating to Jewish law, but is especially helpful in navigating instances in which Jewish sources seem to conflict with contemporary ethical values."" --Ari Ackerman, president, Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem