Judaism

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring How has Judaism changed since the days of the Bible? What sects and divisions does it have, and how does it respond to the challenges of modernity? How does the secular state of Israel resolve the conflicts of ‘Church’ and state? In this Very Short Introduction, Norman Solomon explores Judaism as a religion and as a way of life, including its festivals, prayers, customs, and sects. Solomon considers how Judaism is perceived and understood in the 21st century, discusses how Judaism deals with issues such as feminism, gender, homosexuality, and gay marriage, and looks historically at the relationship between Judaism and the Muslim faith. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Judaism makes the bold argument that the very concept of a religion of 'Judaism' is an invention of the Christian church. The intellectual journey of world-renowned Talmud scholar Daniel Boyarin, this book will change the study of "Judaism"—an essential key word in Jewish Studies—as we understand it today. Boyarin argues that although the world treats the word "Judaism" as appropriate for naming an alleged religion of the Jews, it is in fact a Christian theological concept only adopted by Jews with the coming of modernity and the adoption of Christian languages.

Judaism makes the bold argument that the very concept of a religion of 'Judaism' is an invention of the Christian church. The intellectual journey of world-renowned Talmud scholar Daniel Boyarin, this book will change the study of "Judaism"—an essential key word in Jewish Studies—as we understand it today. Boyarin argues that although the world treats the word "Judaism" as appropriate for naming an alleged religion of the Jews, it is in fact a Christian theological concept only adopted by Jews with the coming of modernity and the adoption of Christian languages.