Sacred Attunement: A Jewish Theology
- Sacred Attunement:A Jewish Theology *
- By Way of Introduction
I do not appreciate it when amazon.com tells me I might like this or that book—but I do owe it some gratitude for suggesting I might like Michael Fishbane's Sacred Attunement: A Jewish Theology. I bought it right away, read it as soon as it arrived, and then purchased copies for the whole of the staff of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality with whom I work (Jews and non-Jews alike). I was inspired by its originality, its sense of spiritual integrity, and its foundation in experience as the way to know and respond to God, supported by a profound approach to reading and living inside of texts. I was moved by Fishbane's intellectual honesty, which leads to humility about what can be said at all about God, and his caution in formulating theological statements. Most significantly, I was relieved that Fishbane did not, ultimately, seek to define God but rather to articulate the moments in which God's gracious goodness is experienced, transforming theology from a theoretical discussion about an abstract that cannot be known to a practice for living in response to what can.
I have noticed that I am not alone in this. I have come to understand that this book is being used in classes at JTS; I have seen it mentioned in weekly divrei torah from there as well. I have heard people talking about it, and it is the topic of several philosophy reading groups with which I am familiar. [End Page 136]
It seems to me that this is a book that offers a great deal to our movement. Chancellor Eisen clearly feels the same, as he said when he interviewed Fishbane at the Seminary soon after the book came out. This prompted me to propose to Martin Cohen, the editor of this journal, that we might create a forum to discuss the book and promote conversation among our colleagues and communities. What follows are my own response and also the responses we received from invited participants to the following prompt: Would you please reflect on the book through one of the following three lenses (as best you understand it and wish to apply it): the impact of the book on your personal theological self, the usefulness of the book as a teaching aid, and the possibility of Fishbane's ideas being used to energize the theology of the movement itself.
I am grateful to the participants in the forum not only for giving their time to read the book (which, you will learn, is no small feat), but also for taking seriously the questions posed by it. I hope that this small sample of thought from throughout the Rabbinical Assembly and beyond will prompt further discussion, study, and application for the sake of the movement and the Jewish people.
Jonathan P. Slater serves as Co-Director of Programs of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, supporting and training rabbis and cantors in contemplative Jewish practice to more deeply connect the inner life with the transformation of the world. He leads meditation at the JCC in Manhattan and serves as Book Review Editor of this journal.
- The Door is Open
A few months ago, inspired by Rabbi Dr. Brad Artson, I formed a theology reading group in my community. There were only two ground rules: to read the preset materials, usually one or two chapters, and to try to attend every meeting. I put a note in the synagogue newsletter, told myself I would be delighted if six people replied, and was thrilled when nineteen responded. God, it seems, is in; my repeated experience over the last few years is that people want to talk about God. There is a thirst for a living theology and a readiness to re-engage with the God-languages of our tradition. Even more than that, there is a willingness to engage with endless questions, even though most are unanswerable. What...
