Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew

I was introduced to this book by my rabbi and I am extremely grateful for that. At some point we both realized I just was not going to give him his copy back, and though he was gracious about it, I went ahead and bought my own copy.For me this book has been a revelation. It is a survey of the diversity of Jewish thinking on the great ideas and ideals.Taking very little for granted and setting aside no sacred cows it asks questions about core beliefs and juxtaposes both similar and radically different viewpoints and answers from many of our greatest thinkers. And so it also serves as an introduction or re introduction to these great minds.The writing, truthfully can be very dry. But the topics, the ideas, they are alive! Each few pages generate so much thought, so much spiritual excitement, so many fantastic conversations that I read and digest in small portions, going back over and again as if this book were a smorgasbord of food for thought.The great diversity of thought in our tradition is not something that is exposed, taught or discussed enough in our mainstream. And that is a shame. To read that not only am I not the first to have had this differnt thought, or doubt, or question, or opposing viewpoint, but that it is accepted as authentic Judaism, was a tremendous reassurance to me personally.For a spiritual seeker, it can often feel like a lonely road to travel. This book is like finding that the treasure we sought was buried deep beneath our own house all along.

Had to read for a class and loved it

great book

For anyone looking for some light theology to lift your spirit and explain some basic concepts of Jewish belief. A great book for beginners.

One of my favorite books. I received my copy from my Rabbi years ago. I bought this one for a friend.

Great guide...

Gillman has written a very readable book that covers a lot of ground. He provides analysis and descriptions of the views of many influential thinkers in this area including: Martin Buber, Franz Rosenzweig, Mordecai Kaplan, Richard Rubenstein, et al. The author also includes certain non-Jewish influences such as Paul Tillich. The book is well organized with a heavy emphasis on mythology. It includes extensive chapter references and recommendations for further reading and study. It is a winner of the National Jewish Book Award from the Jewish Book Council. It is a great way to start an enquiry into Jewish theology. It even includes a few references to Jewish mysticism and Lurian Kabbalah. The dearth of such references or considerations is not as puzzling as it may seem. Though Gillman is a big fan of Heschel (who also taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary = JTS) who is considered to be mystical, the influence of Kabbalah at JTS is quite small nevertheless. Also, Kabbalah has very limited influence upon Rabbinical Conservative Judaism. This is unfortunate because many of the theological dilemmas presented in this book could be explained through Kabbalah. Admittedly, Kabbalah is not very organized and one would need to pick and choose amongst its methods, concepts, doctrines, etc. Additionally, while frequently referring to mythology (and overdoing this by stating that scientific models are myths), he doesn't mention Joseph Campbell. Furthermore, while Judaism (as virtually all living religions) has been syncretic (borrowed ideas etc. from other religions and philosophies--e.g. Maimonides and Aristotle), Gillman does not invoke any useful concepts (e.g. Karma and Reincarnation) to help with his many theological problems. Strangest of all, though he references the great Philosophy of Science classic (Kuhn's "Structure of Scientific Revolutions"), he virtually ignores scientific explanations and approaches applicable to his stated theological problems and challenges. To ignore this wealth of possibility leaves one with a sense that Gillman has raised more questions than he's answered. Indeed, he directly implies this in his wonderful Afterward in which he presents a methodology and recommendations for developing one's own personal theology. This book, as stated, is meant as an introduction to the creation of modern theology based upon the thinkers of the past.

Sacred Fragments is a book of surprising depth for a popular treatment of theology. Gillman presents many theological concepts in ways that are easy to understand, without diminishing their complexity.This book definitely has a theological agenda, but Gillman does a good job of presenting other opinions in a fair and open way. The work is not dogmatic or preachy. He even raises the question if a Jewish theology is necessary. In a religion that has been dominated by halakah, do modern Jews really need a concept of God in the first place? In many ways, organized conceptions of God are alien to the Jewish tradition. Gilliman does indeed present a position, but has the honesty to tell us that it goes against the grain of most of mainstream rabbinical tradition. He is trying to rework Judaism.

An extremely good book, a true guide to finding answers for the modst difficult theological questions of our time. Rabbi Gillman provides a stimulating exploration of Jewish belief and faith, through a forthright analysis of Jewish perspectives: he demonstrates in no uncertain way that one can be sophisticated, professionally successful, and a believer all the same - with a faith based on understanding one's own existential and religious struggles for meaning.

Great overview of various streams in Judaism and development of Jewish thought.

This is a fairly easy read which has been great for our book discussions.