Jewish Civilization: The Jewish Historical Experience in a Comparative Perspective (Israeli Studies)

Eisenstadt, Shmuel N.

ISBN 10: 0791410951 / ISBN 13: 9780791410950

Published by State University of New York Press, 1992

About this Item

This book is in near-perfect condition, showing minimal signs of use. It has clean, crisp pages with no markings or highlighting, and the spine and cover are intact without any creases or wear. This book appears as if it has been barely touched and is virtually indistinguishable from a brand new book. This book may be an ex-library item. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc.

Seller Inventory # HM02997

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Jewish Civilization: The Jewish Historical Experience in a Comparative Perspective (Israeli Studies)
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0791410951
• ISBN 13: 9780791410950
• Binding: hardcover
• Condition: As New
• Weight: 22 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • History&Memory

About this title

Synopsis

This book explains why the best way to understand the Jewish historical experience is to look at Jewish people, not just as a religious or ethnic group or a nation or "people," but, as bearers of civilization. This approach helps to explain the greatest riddle of Jewish civilization, namely, its continuity despite destruction, exile, and loss of political independence.

In the first part of the book, Eisenstadt compares Jewish life and religious orientations and practices with Hellenistic and Roman civilizations, as well as with Christian and Islamic civilizations. In the second part of the book, he analyzes the modern period with its different patterns of incorporation of Jewish communities into European and American societies; national movements that developed among Jews toward the end of the nineteenth century, especially the Zionist movement; and specific characteristics of Israeli society.

The major question Eisenstadt poses is to what extent the characteristics of the Jewish experience are distinctive, in comparison to other ethnic and religious minorities incorporated into modern nation-states, or other revolutionary ideological settler societies. He demonstrates through his case studies the continuous creativity of Jewish civilization.

About the Author

S. N. Eisenstadt is Rose Issacs Professor of Sociology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the editor of The Origins and Diversity of Axial Age Civilizations, also published by SUNY Press.