Jewish Theology Unbound

Description

Jewish Theology Unbound challenges the widespread misinterpretation of Judaism as a religion of law as opposed to theology. James A. Diamond provides close readings of the Bible, classical rabbinic texts, Jewish philosophers, and mystics from the ancient, medieval, and modern period, which communicate a profound Jewish philosophical theology on human nature, God, and the relationship between the two. The study begins with an examination of questioning in the Hebrew Bible, demonstrating that what the Bible encourages is independent philosophical inquiry into how to situate oneself in the world ethically, spiritually, and teleologically. It explores such themes as the nature of God through the various names by which God is known in the Jewish intellectual tradition, love of others and of God, death, martyrdom, freedom, angels, the philosophical quest, the Holocaust, and the state of Israel, all in light of the Hebrew Bible and the way it is filtered through the rabbinic, philosophical, and mystical traditions. Title Pages James A. Diamond Title Pages James A. Diamond (p.i) Jewish Theology Unbound (p.ii) (p.iii) Jewish Theology Unbound Title Pages Dedication James A. Diamond Dedication James A. Diamond (p.vii) Acknowledgments James A. Diamond (p.vii) Acknowledgments James A. Diamond (p.vii) Acknowledgments (p.vii) Acknowledgments Introduction James A. Diamond Introduction Plotting and Subplotting Jewish Philosophical Theology James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Introduction Autobiographical Sketch Introduction Introduction The Subplot: Freedom from God Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Notes: Introduction Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology James A. Diamond Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Notes: Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Unbinding Jewish Philosophical Theology Biblical Questioning James A. Diamond Biblical Questioning Philosophy Begins in Anguish James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Quests and Questions in the Bible Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Creation as God’s Pristine Philosophical Moment Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Failure to Philosophize as Primal Sin Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Cain’s Unreflective Moment Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Rebekah’s Philosophical Shriek Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Questions of Deceit Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Questioning the Boundaries between the Human and the Divine Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning The Case of Moses: Questioning His Way from Royalty to a Stranger in a Foreign Land Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning The Questioning of Becoming Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Job Reverses Adam’s Failure Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Conclusion: Biblical Interpretation as Philosophical Pursuit Biblical Questioning Notes: Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Biblical Questioning Naming an Unnamable God James A. Diamond Naming an Unnamable God Divine Being or Divine Becoming James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords The Living God VS. the Concept God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Genesis and the Image of Becoming Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Formal Introduction of the “God of Becoming”: Moses at the Burning Bush Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Disclosing a Hierarchy of Divine Becoming Disclosure to Moses Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Disclosure to the People Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Disclosure to the Elders Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God The Unfulfilled God of the Patriarchs Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Notes: Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Naming an Unnamable God Using God’s Name for the Mundane James A. Diamond Using God’s Name for the Mundane Halakhic Expressions of Becoming James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Sanctifying the Common Greeting Using God’s Name for the Mundane Using God’s Name for the Mundane Using God’s Name for the Mundane Using God’s Name for the Mundane Using God’s Name for the Mundane Sanctifying the Spousal Union Using God’s Name for the Mundane Sanctifying the Nation Using God’s Name for the Mundane Using God’s Name for the Mundane YHVH—He is the Elohim! Using God’s Name for the Mundane Notes: Using God’s Name for the Mundane Using God’s Name for the Mundane The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love James A. Diamond The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Toward a Unified Philosophical Theology of Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love A Loveless “One Flesh” of the Garden: Setting the Stage for Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love Parental Love: Slaughter It The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love Erotic Love: Reversing the Garden’s Course Back to the Womb The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love “For Love is as Strong as Death” The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love Normative Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love Notes: The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love The Narrative Hell and Normative Bliss of Biblical Love Biblical Knowing Toward Death James A. Diamond Biblical Knowing Toward Death The Silent Sound of Dying for Others James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Death Envelops the Bible Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death The Tree of Knowledge: Introducing Cunning and Shame Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death The Tree of Life: Mortality and the Life of Dying for Others Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Suicide as Dying for Others Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Elijah and the Silent Whirlwind of Dying for Others Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Dying for God VS. Choosing Life Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Notes: Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Biblical Knowing Toward Death Dying for Others or Dying for God? James A. Diamond Dying for Others or Dying for God? The Original Jewish Debate over Religious Martyrdom James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Aaron VS. Moses: The Struggle for a Jewish Theology of Death Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Death at the Summit: Recalling the Blocked Tree of Life Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Postscript: Sarah’s Suicide in the Ghetto Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Notes: Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Dying for Others or Dying for God? Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics James A. Diamond Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics “Eye-Lifting” Epistemology Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics The “Goodness” of Creation: Divine Panoramic Vision VS. Human Myopia Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Hagar: Premier and Paradigmatic Angelic Encounter Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Jacob and the “Face-to-Face” Struggle of Ethical Encounter Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Penuel: The Ethical Locus of the Face-to-Face Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Joshua’s Third Way Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Notes: Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics Angelic Encounters as Metaphysics God as Liberator and the Slave James A. Diamond God as Liberator and the Slave “Did not One form us both in the womb?” James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Theological Implications of the Term ‘eved in the Bible God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave Theological Implications of Slavery in Rabbinic Law God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave Notes: God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave God as Liberator and the Slave A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist James A. Diamond A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Job’s Truths Enter the Warsaw Ghetto A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist Rupture and Silence A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist Assuming the Mantle of Mosaic Resistance A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist Scribal Activism: Reorienting God’s Concern A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist Notes: A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist A God That Ceased to Become, a Nation That May Have Ceased to Exist Postscript James A. Diamond Postscript “After the storm has passed come home”: Toward a Philosophical Theology of Survival James A. Diamond Abstract and Keywords Postscript Postscript Postscript Postscript Postscript Postscript Postscript Postscript Postscript Postscript Notes: Postscript Postscript Postscript (p.247) Bibliography James A. Diamond (p.247) Bibliography James A. Diamond Primary Sources (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography Secondary Sources (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.247) Bibliography (p.265) Index Locorum James A. Diamond (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.265) Index Locorum (p.272) Name Index James A. Diamond (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.272) Name Index (p.278) General Index James A. Diamond (p.278) General Index (p.278) General Index (p.278) General Index (p.278) General Index (p.278) General Index (p.278) General Index (p.278) General Index