The Cambridge Companion to Jewish Theology offers an overview of Jewish theology, an aspect of Judaism that is equal in importance to law and ethics. Covering the period from antiquity to the present, the volume focuses on what Jews believe about God and also about the relation of God to humans and the world. Parts I and II cover exciting new research in Jewish biblical and rabbinic theology, medieval philosophy, Kabbalah (mysticism), and liturgy. Parts III and IV turn to modern theology with an exploration of works by leading figures, such as Rabbi Abraham I. Kook, Franz Rosenzweig, and Emmanuel Levinas, as well as the relation of theology to issues such as feminism and the Holocaust, and the relation of Judaism to other world religions. In Part V, the book explores how the insights of analytic philosophy have been integrated with Jewish theology.

Provides an accessible overview of the history of Jewish Theology, from antiquity to the present

Uncovers exciting new research in Jewish biblical and rabbinic theology, medieval philosophy, Kabbalah (Mysticism), and Liturgy

Explores modern Jewish theology and contemporary issues including the Holocaust, Feminism and the relation of Judaism to other world religions

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Steven Kepnes
2. What is Jewish Theology? David Novak
Part I. Biblical-Rabbinic:
3. Jewish Biblical Theology Marvin A. Sweeney
4. The God of the Rabbis Moshe Halbertal
5. The Theology of the Daily Liturgy Reuven Kimelman
Part II. Medieval:
6. Maimonides' Theology Daniel Rynhold
7. Law and Order: The Birth of a Nation and the Creation of the World Daniel Frank
8. The Mystical Theology of Kabbalah: From God to Godhead Adam Afterman
Part III. Modern:
9. R. Kook: a This-worldly Mystic Tamar Ross
10. Rosenzweig's Midrashic Speech-acts: From Hegel and German Nationalism to a Modern-day Ba'al Teshuvah Jules Simon
11. Levinas's Theological Ethics Richard Cohen
Part IV. Contemporary Issues:
12. The Holocaust and Jewish Theology Michael L. Morgan
13. Theology and Halakhah in Jewish Feminisms Ronit Irshai
14. Jewish Models of Revelation Alan Brill
15. Jewish Theology of Religions Alon Goshen-gottstein
Part V. Analytic Philosophy and Theology:
16. Can There be a Positive Theology? Kenneth Seeskin
17. Theological Realism and its Alternatives in Contemporary Jewish Theology Cass Fisher
18. A Defense of Verbal Revelation: Words of the Living God Samuel Fleischacker
19. A Constructive Jewish Theology of God and Perfect Goodness Yehudah Gellman.

Editor

Steven Kepnes, Colgate University, New York
Steven Kepnes is Professor of Religion and Jewish Studies at Colgate University. He is the author of The Future of Jewish Theology and Jewish Liturgical Reasoning (2007).

Contributors

Steven Kepnes; David Novak; Marvin A. Sweeney; Moshe Halbertal; Reuven Kimelman; Daniel Rynhold; Daniel Frank; Adam Afterman; Tamar Ross; Jules Simon; Richard Cohen; Michael L. Morgan; Ronit Irshai; Alan Brill; Alon Goshen-Gottstein; Kenneth Seeskin; Cass Fisher; Samuel Fleischacker; Yehudah Gellman