These essays represent a multidisciplinary approach to the study of religion and, especially, Judaism. Setting aside common scholarly concerns with source criticism and history of interpretation, Shimon Levy argues that in Numbers 11 the redactor has forged diverse elements into a unity. Observing that much of what is said about Second Commonwealth Judaic culture is speculative, Jack Lightstone calls for radical revision of accepted portrayals of the period. Ira Robinson's study of al-Kirkisani's effort to differentiate magic and miracle while demonstrating the rationality of belief in miracle locates his thoughts in the context of Rabbinic and Muslim treatments of the subject. While historians of modern Judaism have acknowledged in the influence of Kant and Hegel, Rousseau, contends Michel Despland, is often overlooked; he opened the way for changes in social and religious life. In Walter Benjamin's philosophy of history Charles Davis finds a significant combining of elements from Kabbalistic and Marxist thought. Michael Oppenheim finds a common core of concerns addressed by modern Jewish philosophers: a struggle with modernity, identification with Jewish thought and values, and commitment to their Jewish communities. Gershon Hundert's "Reflections on the 'Whig' Interpretation of Jewish History" argues--vis-à-vis the Jerusalem school of Zionist historians--that the responsibility of national historians to their community can be fulfilled only by repudiating ideologies that may stand in the way of the search for truth. Howard Joseph's survey of teh extensive literature on the Holocaust indicates the options the authors find most worthy of continued focus. Jerome Eckstein critically examines one of the few published pieces by Joseph Soloveitchik, who combines the Talmudic genius of the Lithuanian Yeshiva world with mastery of the Western intellectual tradition. B. Barry Levy's study of the Artscroll series of translations of and commentaries on biblical literature examines the assumptions and methodology of the series and the hidden agenda that emerges. Frederick Bird's comparison of charity ethics in Judaism and Christianity draws attention to the imprint on these ethics of the formative period of each religion. The volume will be of interest to student of the Bible, Judaism, and Christianity.
Political liberty and the free enterprise system are intimately connected, and this concept was first explored at length in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, which was published March 9, 1776. In Capitalism, author Frank Solomon provides a detailed introduction of Smith’s ideas, and he presents extensive examples of how the principles can be applied to current and future economic issues facing the modern world both nationally and internationally. Solomon shows how Smith—often referred to as the father of modern economics—presented the most efficient and effective program for giving humankind the greatest degree of safety, prosperity, freedom, health, and happiness over the long term. Debunking the myths surrounding The Wealth of Nations, Solomon’s Capitalism demonstrates the capacity of Smith’s philosophy of enlightened self-interest to encompass a broad variety of contemporary politico-economic problems, including health care, education, the military-industrial complex, welfare, organized crime, international trade, and war. Praise for Capitalism “Solomon has a deep admiration for Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. Having written nine previous volumes of Nations’ critique, he again embarks on a rapturous tour of the seminal economic treatise … He presents several useful points, holding a relatively substantive discussion on the origins of the system of supply and demand, as well as peppering the text with reminders that, despite Smith’s call to capitalism and self-interest, [Smith also suggests] ethical business practices can pay moral and financial dividends …” —Kirkus Discoveries Review
As the preeminent art-book publisher in America, Abrams has many stunning and impressive titles for gift giving. From these, we have chosen several absolutely fabulous volumes, in the oversize coffee-table book tradition, that are sure to dazzle any gift recipient.
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