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Introduction
- Wayne State University Press
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INTRODUCTION MelScult MORDECAIKaplan(1881-1983),thefather ofReconstructionism , has been called the prophet of Jewish renewal. Throughout hislife hesearched for waystohelpthe modern Jew relate meaningfully totheJewish tradition. In his present work,published threeyearsafter hismagnum opus Judaism as a Civilization, Kaplantranslatesthemajor categories of traditional Jewish life into the compelling language ofthepresent usingthestructureof theJewish holy days. Kaplan was the preeminent teacher of American Jewry duringthefirst half ofthetwentieth century. Aproductof Jewish civilization in Lithuania, hearrived hereasachild, wasreared on the Lower EastSideof New York, attended City College, and graduated theJewish Theological Seminary in 1902,amonthafter thearrivalofSolomon Schechter . Kaplan'scareer wastobeintimately tied totheJewish Theological Seminary. In 1909hebecame theprincipalof the Teachers' Institute, began teaching in the rabbinical school, and remained on the staff for the next fifty-four years. It was during his graduate work at Columbia (19001906 ) that the young orthodox Kaplan began todoubt the primary doctrinesoftraditionalJudaism.Hisprofessors,including the celebrated founder of Ethical Culture, Felix Adler,and thepioneerinsociology,Franklin Giddings,encouraged his interest in the sociological underpinnings of ix x INTRODUCTION religous institutions and ideas, thus undermining Kaplan's beliefsinhisowntraditionasaGod-givenabsolute. Although not a full-time member of the Columbia University faculty, FelixAdler taught philosophy during these years and was a prominent personality on the campus. Deeply impressed by the founder of Ethical Culture, Kaplan attended hislecturesand wrotehismasters dissertation with the "great dissenter/* The focus of his masters essay was the utilitarian philosophy of the nineteenth century, particularly the work of Henry Sidgwick. Sidgwick (18381900 )was for many yearsprofessor of philosophy at Cambridge University;hisbook The Methods of Ethics isasignificant treatise in the Benthamite tradition of utilitarian ethics.Kaplan'semphasison function aswellassomeofhis primary beliefs concerning religion are derived directly from Sidgwick.1 ThecourseofKaplan'sintellectualdevelopment wassignificantly influenced by thecultural Zionism of Ahad HaAm (Asher Ginzberg, 1856-1927). Early on in his student yearshewasattracted tothewritingsof Ahad Ha-Am, the "secularrabbi"ofJewishnationalism.AhadHa-Am,HerzPs mostpassionatecritic,awakened theJewsofhistimetothe possibility of their spiritual regeneration. He understood that the collective redemption of the Jewish people wasa process,notanevent,and would requirethegradualtransformation oftheheartand soulof theJewish masses.Ahad Ha-AmattributedthegreatnessoftheJewsnottotheirhaving been chosen by God, but totheir own creative genius. TheprincipalagentinthelifeoftheJewishpeople,according to Ahad Ha-Am, was not God but the Jewish people themselves. Their genius expressed itself in the realm of morals and ethics; the Jewish spirit throbbed with a profound concern forthesocialresponsibilityoftheindividual. However,thenationalcreativeenergy wasdissipated when Jewswereseduced bythevaluesoftheirnon-Jewish neigh- [3.21.100.34] Project MUSE (2024-04-19 16:06 GMT) INTRODUCTION xi bors. Only a new Jewish center in Palestine could prevent thisassimilation. Felix Adler, Kaplan's teacher, alsodecisively shaped his thought,notonlyphilosophicallybutalsotheologically.Adler maintained that when we talk of God we speak metaphorically : what we say is never literally true, but the metaphor nonetheless stands for something real.Thegods, includingJehovah,arecreationsoftheimagination,butthe eternal isnot. His"proof"derived from his understanding of morality and was similar to what is found in Kaplan's laterworks."Ifthen,Ibelieveintheultimateattainmentof themoralend,Iam forced toassumethatthereisprovision innaturelookingtotheachievementofthatend."2 Adler's appreciation of the transcendent made it easier forKaplantorelatetohisphilosophy—though henever forgave Adler for leaving the Jewish fold and establishing a newreligion.Despitehisemphasisontheethical,Adlerpossessed agenuinesensitivity forthetranscendent:"thedeepest experiencesoflifehavebeen missed,"hetellsus,"if we haveneverbeenthrilledbytheemotionswhichcome from the thought of...
