Faith Without Fear: Unresolved Issues in Modern Orthodoxy by Michael J. Harris
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Faith without Fear examines key unresolved philosophical, theological, and ideological issues in the Modern Orthodox Jewish world, including Modern Orthodoxy and Haredi Orthodoxy as competing heirs to the pre-modern Jewish tradition, the challenge to traditional faith posed by modern biblical scholarship, and Modern Orthodoxy’s perspective on other faiths. The book explores some familiar topics, such as the role and status of women in Judaism and Jewish life. However, author Michael J. Harris also explores issues which have received little scholarly attention: Modern Orthodoxy’s relationship with Jewish mysticism, its hopes for the messianic era, and the fundamental nature and commitments of Modern Orthodoxy. Each chapter offers a clearly-argued position. Complex issues in Jewish law (Halacha) and thought are summarized so as to be accessible to the general and specialist reader alike, as well as students of Judaism and comparative religion. The comprehensive notes and references will allow scholars to delve more deeply into the sources and secondary literature, and open up new areas for debate. Faith without Fear does not provide easy or neat responses. As a thought provoking book, Faith without Fear offers some controversial approaches to key issues in contemporary Jewish society, seeking to open debate and develop further discussion.
