Taking Hold Of Torah Jewish Commitment

Jews, like other Americans, have both benefited and suffered from the fraying of traditional loyalties that has come to characterize modern American culture. In Taking Hold of Torah Arnold M. Eisen offers a personal plea for - and a vision of - the revitalizing of American Judaism through a renewed relationship to Jewish tradition and the strengthening of Jewish communities. Drawing from the author's own experience both as a scholar of modern Judaism and as a modern American Jew, each of the five chapters in the book examines a major issue or theme related to this vision of renewal - in terms of one of the five books of the Torah. This encouraging work is essential reading for anyone concerned with issues of Jewish faith and the future of Judaism in America.

Jews, like other Americans, have both benefited and suffered from the fraying of traditional loyalties that has come to characterize modern American culture. Arnold M. Eisen relates a major issue or theme in his vision for the renewal of Jewish communities to each of the five books of the Torah. What is the meaning and purpose of Jewish tradition? What is the significance of faith and covenant? What are the contemporary uses of ritual? What should a new agenda for politics in American Jewish life include? What legacy is to be left to future generations? This encouraging work is essential reading for anyone concerned with questions of Jewish faith and the future of Judaism in America.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [173]-177) and index.