The Faith of the Mithnagdim: Rabbinic Responses to Hasidic Rapture (Johns Hopkins Jewish Studies) (0801855608) - Reviews and Prices
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The Faith of the Mithnagdim: Rabbinic Responses to Hasidic Rapture (Johns Hopkins Jewish Studies) (0801855608) - Customer Reviews, Information, Ratings, and Prices
The Faith of the Mithnagdim: Rabbinic Responses to Hasidic Rapture (Johns Hopkins Jewish Studies) (0801855608) - Reviews and Prices
The Faith of the Mithnagdim is the first study of the theological roots of the Mithnagdic objection to Hasidism. Allan Nadler's pioneering effort fills the void in scholarship on Mithnagdic thought and corrects the impression that there were no compelling theological alternatives to Hasidism during the period of its rapid spread across Eastern Europe at the turn of the nineteenth century. Nadler recovers the work of Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon, Gaon of Vilna; Rabbi Phinehas ben Judah, Maggid of Polotsk; and other figures who established Mithnagdism as an influential movement in Jewish religious thought. Their extensive writings on religious ethics, philosophy, and exegesis make it clear that the Mithnagdim were much more than negative, narrow critics of the Hasidim. In Nadler's account; Mithnagdism emerges as a highly developed religious outlook that is essentially conservative, deeply dualistic, and profoundly pessimistic about humanity's spiritual potential - all in stark contrast to Hasidism's optimism and aggressive encouragement of mysticism and religious rapture among its followers.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Solid:
"The Faith of the Mithnagdim" is solid, well-written and very informative. It has excellent notes and bibliography making it clear that it was written by someone of a truly vast knowledge of the subject. Therefore, I found this book well worth reading. Having said that, I'd like to make a few points on how this book can be read and its reading should continue, as well as address its drawbacks. First, being a book about "Litvaks" and not a comparative study, it seems to be somewhat one-sided and limited... more info
Worthwhile Read:
Sure to infuriate the more fanatical and intolerant, this book provides a balanced perspective on Hasidic Judaism and opposing views. It is well organized as it presents the objections to Hasidism's beliefs and practices. I am amazed that Nadler can be so restrained in his presentation, as he presents such diverse views.
A Misleading Book:
Though much of his information is accurate, Nadler makes the crucial error of relying only on wriiten text, ignoring the vast rich oral history of this historic topic. In addition he declares that "half of todays Orthodox Jews are Mithnagdim", this iserroneous. "Mithnagdim" literally means "opposed", there is no longer any substantial oppositionto Chassidism among Orthodox Jews. Though roughly half are not Chassidim per se, thay include many Sefardim and others who never opposed Chassidus. Even among... more info
Rabbi Nadler speaks for the opposition:
In his pioneering book, "Faith of the Mithnagdim," Dr. Nadler presents the point of view too-long lost in the increasingly popular discussions of Hasidism. Focussing chiefly on primary sources, he presents the depth and complexity of Mithnagdic thought in astonishing clarity.
In addition to his impeccable scholarship, Nadler writes with enormous grace, making tightly constructed theological and philosophical arguments open to lay reader.
This is a tremendously rewarding book for the thoughtful and... more info
