Studying Judaism The Critical Issues [Hardcover]

This
volume in the Studying World Religions
series is an essential guide to the study of Judaism. Clearly structured to
cover all the major areas of study, including historical foundations,
scripture, worship, society, material culture, thought and ethics, this is the
ideal study aid for those approaching Judaism for the first time.
Studying Judaism offers readers the
chance to engage with a religious tradition as a diverse, living phenomenon.
Its approach is 'critical' in two major respects: its use of the dimensional
approach to the study of religions as an interpretive framework, and its focus
on matters perceived as problematic by insider and/or outsider commentators,
such as gender, demography, geo-politics, the 'museumization' of Jewish
cultures and its impact on religion and identity. This book is the perfect
companion for the fledgling student of Judaism.

Melanie J. Wright was Academic Director of the Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations, and a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University, UK. She is the author of numerous articles and books including Understanding Judaism (Orchard Academic), and Religion and Film: An Introduction (I. B. Tauris). With Lucia Faltin she co-edited The Religious Roots of Contemporary European Identity, which is also published by Continuum.

AuthorBiography \ Tribute \ Series Preface \ Acknowledgments \ 1. Introduction \ 2. What is Judaism? \ 3. Authority \ 4. Worship, Festivals and Mysticism \ 5. Beliefs \ 6. Gender \ 7.Politics \ 8. Culture \ 9. Memory \ 10. Jews and Others \ 11. Studying Judaism: the critical issues: the future \Notes \ Bibliography \ Index