The Halakhic Mind

From Simon & Schuster, The Halakchic Mind is an essay on Jewish tradition and modern thought from Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Discusses the conflict between philosophy and science, examines the growth of religious knowledge, and shows how the Halakha, Jewish religious law, can be used to formulate a new religious outlook.

This book is an analysis of the thought of Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993). The analysis focuses on Soloveitchik's notion of transcendence as articulated in his doctoral thesis on Hermann Cohen and in three of his essays on halakhic thought, viz., 'The Halakhic Mind', and the Hebrew essays 'Ish ha-halakha' and 'U-viqqashtem mi-sham'.

This book is an analysis of the thought of Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993). The analysis focuses on Soloveitchik's notion of transcendence as articulated in his doctoral thesis on Hermann Cohen and in three of his essays on halakhic thought, viz., 'The Halakhic Mind', and the Hebrew essays 'Ish ha-halakha' and 'U-viqqashtem mi-sham'.

This book focuses on the first stages of Soloveitchik's philosophy, through a systematic and detailed discussion of his essay Halakhic Man. Schwartz successfully exposes hidden layers in Halakhic Man, which may not be immediately evident.

This analysis of the Talmud is a thorough exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of Judaism.

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993), commonly known as "the Rav," has stimulated and influenced the intellectual minds and touched the sensitive hearts of thousands of his students both in the United States and across the globe. With his death, a void was left in the modern intellectual Orthodox community. Although efforts have been made to transmit his Torah knowledge into written words, future generations of the vast English-speaking Torah community will be bereft of his enormous wisdom. The second volume of Halakhic Positions of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik continues to provide the modern reader with a glimpse into the illustrious and meaningful halakhic opinions of this highly revered Jewish scholar. Rabbi Aharon Ziegler, a student of the Rav, has illustrated the unique, and perhaps less known, halakhic views which will intrigue and educate those who seek more of the Rav's distinguished teachings. Whether studied in the synagogue, school, or home, this book is a valuable addition to any Jewish library.

Critique of Halakhic Reason challenges prevalent ways of thinking about religion by revealing how religious traditions and communities reason about their practices. It examines the reasoning operative in the justification and jurisprudence of the Jewish commandments through fresh studies of twentieth century Jewish thinkers. It then constructs a novel account of the relation between Jewish thought and law in view of contemporary moral philosophy and legal theory. It then develops its consequences for theology, the study and philosophy of religion, as well as for moral, legal, and political philosophy.

Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the rabbi known as “The Rav” by his followers worldwide, was a leading authority on the meaning of Jewish law and prominent force in building bridges between traditional Orthodox Judaism and the modern world. In THE LONELY MAN OF FAITH, a soaring, eloquent essay first published in Tradition magazine in 1965, Soloveitchik investigates the essential loneliness of the person of faith in our narcissistic, materially oriented, utilitarian society. In this modern classic, Soloveitchik uses the story of Adam and Eve as a springboard, interweaving insights from such important Western philosophers as Kierkegaard and Kant with innovative readings of Genesis to provide guidance for the faithful in today’s world. He explains prayer as “the harbinger of moral reformation,” and discusses with empathy and understanding the despair and exasperation of individuals who seek personal redemption through direct knowledge of a God who seems remote and unapproachable. He shows that while the faithful may become members of a religious community, their true home is “the abode of loneliness.” In a moving personal testimony, Soloveitchik demonstrates a deep-seated commitment, intellectual courage, and integrity that people of all religions will respond to.