Jewish Thought in Dialogue: Essays on Thinkers, Theologies, and Moral Theories (review)

"I would describe the book as follows. It aims at both studying (interpreting) for the sake of 'doing' and doing for the sake of interpreting."

With these words, Prof. David Shatz attempts to define the purpose of his new book: Jewish Thought in Dialogue: Essays on Thinkers, Theologies, and Moral Theories. It is this ambiguousness that Shatz endeavors to conserve and to communicate throughout his writing, the complexity inherent in the attempt of an original Jewish thinker to serve at the same time as an academic researcher of Jewish philosophy. It appears that at least in this case, the formula has proven to be a successful one.

The book, a collection of essays embodying twenty years of philosophical scrutiny in the field of Jewish thought, allows its reader to embark upon a journey through the by-paths of Orthodox and Halakhically oriented Judaism led by an expert guide intimately familiar with his material. However, it is not the author's mastery of the Jewish sources themselves that grants this volume its unique character, nor is it his deep acquaintance with analytic philosophy. The main importance of the book lies in the author's ability to create and further the dialogue he describes, and not only to recount and interpret it. Shatz is himself an active player in this philosophical encounter taking part in the conflict between modernity and tradition, between openness and authenticity. It is not the dry texts that are analyzed with the help of the philosopher's exact scalpel, but rather the philosopher's inner spiritual world itself that is presented upon the backdrop of some of the greatest works of Jewish thought.

The first part of the book is dedicated to "Essays in Interpretation." However, as mentioned above, the novelty of these essays, mainly focusing on Maimonides and Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, is not their interpretation by Shatz, but rather the methodological insights needed in order to cope with such complex materials. Special attention should be accorded to the mature essay "Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook and the Ambiguities of 'Openness.'" Shatz identifies a major problem presenting itself to the interpreter of Kook's meditations, namely their colossal scope, which often leads the reader and interpreter astray. It is oftentimes difficult to identify and distinguish between major and minor lines of argument, and between these and isolated flashes and fragmentary ideas. Despite the fact that one could have regarded this essay as bearing a deconstructive thrust, as it mainly serves to negate the possibility of arriving at any "bottom line" conclusions in interpreting Kook's oeuvre, Shatz does seek a positive conclusion, asserting that the importance of Kook's philosophy lies in the "dramatic gulf between the theoretical pronouncements and actual practice of a major rabbinic figure."

Another important essay within this same section deals with "Maimonides' Moral Theory," wherein Shatz brings to bear not only his knowledge of Maimonides' philosophical corpus, but also his familiarity with Maimonides' Halakhic masterpiece—Mishneh Torah, a capacity often lacking in scholarly discussions of Jewish Philosophy.

Yet, I personally found pleasure in "Is Matter all that Matters?," where Shatz endeavors to flesh out a "Jewish" response to materialist outlooks regarding the physical and mental processes of the human mind. In contrast to other essays in the book, here Shatz doesn't present himself to the reader as an academic scholar attempting to reveal the inner layers of Jewish thought, but rather as a Jewish thinker who is personally responsible for the material he deals with, and the consequences of his research. This notion is lucidly stressed in Shatz's cry as he concludes his meditations, wherein he calls for a fruitful incorporation of modern scientific elements into the world of Orthodox Jewish thought, candidly stating that "we cannot do otherwise."

I believe that this symbolic act of disrobing, suggested in the final paragraphs of this essay, wherein the author abandons an alienated academic posture, contains the "true story...