Religious Zionism, Jewish Law, and the Morality of War

How Five Rabbis Confronted One of Modern Judaism's Greatest Challenges

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, Ethics, Judaism
Cover of the book Religious Zionism, Jewish Law, and the Morality of War by Robert Eisen, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert Eisen ISBN: 9780190687113
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: September 1, 2017
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Robert Eisen
ISBN: 9780190687113
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: September 1, 2017
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Ever since the state of Israel was established in 1948, it has been plagued by war, and that has presented religious Zionists with an immense challenge. Jewish law prior to 1948 includes little material on war because it developed during centuries when Jews had neither a state nor an army. The leading rabbis of the religious Zionist community have therefore had to create an entire body of laws on this subject where practically none had existed beforehand. These rabbis have responded to the challenge with remarkable energy and ingenuity. Religious Zionist rabbis have produced a corpus of laws on war that is both comprehensive and nuanced, and these laws now serve as a critical source of guidance for Orthodox Israelis serving in their country's military. The present study is a pioneering work on this fascinating chapter in the history of Jewish law, a chapter that, up to now, has received relatively little attention from academic scholars. Robert Eisen examines how five of the most prominent rabbis in the religious Zionist community have dealt with key moral issues in war. The figures include R. Abraham Isaac Kook, R. Isaac Halevi Herzog, R. Eliezer Waldenberg, R. Sha'ul Yisraeli, and R. Shlomo Goren. Eisen also examines how the positions of these rabbis compare with those of international law. These explorations provide critical insight into the worldview of religious Zionism, which in recent years has become increasingly influential in Israeli politics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Ever since the state of Israel was established in 1948, it has been plagued by war, and that has presented religious Zionists with an immense challenge. Jewish law prior to 1948 includes little material on war because it developed during centuries when Jews had neither a state nor an army. The leading rabbis of the religious Zionist community have therefore had to create an entire body of laws on this subject where practically none had existed beforehand. These rabbis have responded to the challenge with remarkable energy and ingenuity. Religious Zionist rabbis have produced a corpus of laws on war that is both comprehensive and nuanced, and these laws now serve as a critical source of guidance for Orthodox Israelis serving in their country's military. The present study is a pioneering work on this fascinating chapter in the history of Jewish law, a chapter that, up to now, has received relatively little attention from academic scholars. Robert Eisen examines how five of the most prominent rabbis in the religious Zionist community have dealt with key moral issues in war. The figures include R. Abraham Isaac Kook, R. Isaac Halevi Herzog, R. Eliezer Waldenberg, R. Sha'ul Yisraeli, and R. Shlomo Goren. Eisen also examines how the positions of these rabbis compare with those of international law. These explorations provide critical insight into the worldview of religious Zionism, which in recent years has become increasingly influential in Israeli politics.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Philosophy of Philip Kitcher by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Chopin's Polish Ballade by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book OK:The Improbable Story of America's Greatest Word by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Developmental Influences on Adult Intelligence by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions : Standards and Cases by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book The Quotable Guide to Punctuation by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book The Politics of Fear by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Women Who Fly by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Assimilate: A Critical History of Industrial Music by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Planet Taco:A Global History of Mexican Food by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book One in Christ by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book The Erotic Life of Manuscripts by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Japan - With Audio Level 1 Factfiles Oxford Bookworms Library by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Human Rights and Human Well-Being by Robert Eisen
Cover of the book Children of Lucifer by Robert Eisen
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy