Orthodox Jewish philosophy

Orthodox Jewish philosophy comprises the philosophical and theological teachings of Orthodox Judaism. Though Orthodox Judaism sees itself as the heir of traditional rabbinic Judaism, the present-day movement is thought to have first formed in the late 18th century, mainly in reaction to the Jewish emancipation and the growth of the Haskalah and Reform movements.^[1]^[2]^[3] Orthodox Jewish philosophy concerns itself with interpreting traditional Jewish sources, reconciling the Jewish faith with the changes in the modern world and the movement's relationships with the State of Israel and other Jewish denominations.

Philosophies[edit]

Specific philosophies developed by Orthodox Jewish thinkers include:

Torah Judaism, an ideological concept used to legitimize Jewish movements within the framework of Orthodox Jewish values.^[4]
Hasidism, focusing on the importance of prayer, joy and the attachment to Tzadikim and Rebbes
Musar (ethics), stressing the importance of the study of ethical texts
Religious Zionism, an ideology that insists on the integration between Zionism and observance of Jewish law
Torah im Derech Eretz, a school of thought advocating the combination of Jewish and secular education
Torah Umadda, similar to Torah im Derech Eretz, advocating a combination of Jewish and secular education
Da'as Torah, the position that the opinion rabbinic authorities are to be sought in various circumstances
Dirah Betachtonim, a midrashic concept popularized by Chabad thinkers, the making of a "dwelling place for God in the lower realms" is thought to be the purpose of creation

Orthodox Jewish philosophers (from late 18th century)[edit]

While the majority of Orthodox rabbinic figures wrote primarily on Talmud and Jewish law (Halacha), some are known for their philosophical and theological writings.

Modern Thought Judaism[edit]

Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808–1888), German rabbi, authored Horeb (1837), and Nineteen Letters (1836), considered a founder of Modern Orthodoxy and the Torah im Derech Eretz school of thought
Abraham Isaac Kook (1865–1935), former Chief Rabbi if Israel and an important thinker in Religious Zionism
Franz Rosenzweig (1886–1929), a theologian and philosopher, noted for his work The Star of Redemption (1921)
Joseph Soloveitchik (1903–1993), a seminal figure in Modern Orthodox Judaism who helped popularize the Torah Umadda philosophy, authored The Lonely Man of Faith (1965) and Halakhic Man (1983)
Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903–1994), a religious philosopher in Israel
Eliezer Berkovits (1908–1992), authored a number of works on Jewish theology including God, Man, and History (1959) and Man and God: Studies in Biblical Theology (1969)
Israel Eldad (1910 or 1922–1996), a Zionist teacher and writer associated with the Lehi movement
David Hartman (1931–2013), philosopher of contemporary Judaism, author of a number of works including A Living Covenant: The Innovative Spirit in Traditional Judaism (1998) and A Heart of Many Rooms: Celebrating the Many Voices Within Judaism (1999)
Aharon Lichtenstein (b. 1933-2015), a noted Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva who has lectured and published on Jewish philosophy and Talmud
Daniel Rynhold, Associate Professor of Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University and the author of Two Models of Jewish Philosophy: Justifying One's Practices (2005)

Haredi Judaism[edit]

Elijah of Vilna (1720–1797), the Vilna Gaon, known primarily for his commentary on Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, the Vilna Gaon also authored a number of Kabbalistic works and is noted for his position on Tzimtzum
Chaim Volozhin (1749–1821), student of the Vilna Gaon, author of Nefesh Ha-Chaim dealing with Kabbalistic and general Jewish theological ideas
Israel Salanter (1810–1883), founder of the Musar movement, stressed the study of ethical literature as central to Jewish life
Eliyahu Dessler (1892 or 1830–1953), noted for his work Michtav me-Eliyahu

Hasidic Judaism[edit]

Yisroel Baal Shem Tov
Dovber of Mezritch, the Maggid of Mezritch
The Rebbes of Chabad (most notably, Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Menachem Mendel Schneerson)
Nachman of Breslov
Elimelech of Lizhensk
Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, the Sfas Emes, second Rebbe of Ger
Joel Teitelbaum, Rebbe of Satmar, anti-Zionist thinker

Sephardic Judaism[edit]

References[edit]

^ Carvalho, Jean-Paul, and Mark Koyama. Development and religious polarization: The emergence of reform and ultra-Orthodox Judaism. Department of Economics, University of Oxford, 2011.
^ Heilman, Samuel C. Cosmopolitans and Parochials: Modern Orthodox Jews in America. University of Chicago Press, 1989.
^ Liebman, Charles S. The ambivalent American Jew: Politics, religion and family in American Jewish life. Jewish publication society of America, 1973.
^ Schwab, Shimon. Selected speeches: a collection of addresses and essays on hashkafah, contemporary issues and Jewish history. CIS Publishing. 1991.

[1] Carvalho, Jean-Paul, and Mark Koyama. Development and religious polarization: The emergence of reform and ultra-Orthodox Judaism. Department of Economics, University of Oxford, 2011.

[2] Heilman, Samuel C. Cosmopolitans and Parochials: Modern Orthodox Jews in America. University of Chicago Press, 1989.

[3] Liebman, Charles S. The ambivalent American Jew: Politics, religion and family in American Jewish life. Jewish publication society of America, 1973.

[4] Schwab, Shimon. Selected speeches: a collection of addresses and essays on hashkafah, contemporary issues and Jewish history. CIS Publishing. 1991.

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