Jewish Intellectual History: 16th to 20th Century - The Great Courses complete 4 DVD set with guidebook (Course No. 4647 )

Ruderman, Professor David B.

ISBN 10: 1565857046 / ISBN 13: 9781565857049

Published by The Teaching Company (The Great Courses ), USA, 2002

About this Item

Set of 4 DVDs, containing 24 lectures of 30 minutes each, with guidebook. All DVDs in very good condition. Please note that the guidebook has many underlinings and marginalia, although the text is still clear and legible. --- General information: please email for any more information or condition photos. There may be other minor faults not included here, but this description should include all important points and convey accurately the overall condition of the book(s) or other item. We are happy to give a more detailed description (by volume where applicable) on request. Posted next day (Mon-Fri) from the UK. We normally post by Royal Mail 1st class within the UK, but may use a slower service for books over 1kg or multiple orders or a tracked service for higher value orders. We normally post by tracked mail for overseas deliveries, and may request additional postage (at cost) for heavier books (buyers always have the option to cancel the order if we do so).

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Jewish Intellectual History: 16th to 20th Century - The Great Courses complete 4 DVD set with guidebook (Course No. 4647 )
• Publisher: The Teaching Company (The Great Courses ), USA
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1565857046
• ISBN 13: 9781565857049
• Binding: Audio Book (DVD)
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Over the last four centuries, a small group of thinkers attempted to answer a series of remarkably challenging questions: In a world having a history of untold suffering - especially, it seemed, for Jews - was the existence of an all-powerful and comforting God still tenable What were the purpose and meaning of Jewish practices and customs Could Jews still justify the notion of a chosen people in a social climate in which Jewish integration and full participation with the rest of humanity had become the norm Although their approaches and solutions differed, most thinkers shared a common goal: to provide a continuing sense of faith, meaning, and identity for their fellow Jews. Through these 24 necessary lectures, you observe the time-honored intellectual tradition through which Judaism analyzes, rethinks, and reformulates itself. This process of preserving its essential character while still trying to accommodate itself to the modern world has kept Judaism a vital and vibrant, rather than static, religion. Professor Ruderman introduces you to a new and rich body of thinkers and thinking - particularly the prominent philosopher Benedict (Baruch) Spinoza. This course considers modern Jewish thought largely in terms of two issues: the response to Spinoza and his attack on the very viability of Judaism, and the shift in the standard by which Jews defined themselves and their faith. In the modern age, it became the non-Jewish world. With these two issues in mind, you'll consider the various thinkers according to three approaches: insiders, outsiders, and rejectionists. In Professor Ruderman's estimation, Jewish thinking is a widespread and necessary part of Jewish life, an effort to find meaning and hope in an uncertain world.