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Open Minded Torah elicits unheard voices from the Jewish past for a twenty-first century Judaism at a time when fundamentalists and fanatics often dominate conversations about religion. Kolbrener's brilliant and unorthodox essays are a must-read for anyone who wants to pursue a life of faith, based on commitment yet sensitive to the complexities and demands of the modern world. In essays as likely to turn to baseball, the NASDAQ and Denzel Washington as to Shakespeare, quantum physics and psychoanalysis, Kolbrener provides powerful - and often surprising - insights into how open mindedness allows for authentic Jewish engagement in an age otherwise defined by fundamentalism or unbelief. Open Minded Torah presents - on topics ranging from parenting a son with Down syndrome to Biblical criticism to Talmudic interpretation of dreams - a perspective on Judaism which emphasizes skepticism, pluralism and the need to embrace difference. Through a personal synthesis of Western and Jewish learning, popular culture and philosophy, Kolbrener offers a compelling new vision where being open minded allows for a non-dogmatic and committed Judaism. Informed by Kolbrener's considerable erudition, but always accessible, the essays of Open Minded Torah are critical for those wanting to pursue a non-coercive, tolerant and creative Jewish life. For every person, it is said, there is a corresponding letter in the Torah: this innovative collection shows Kolbrener writing his letter, and providing the inspiration for others to write their own.
E-Book Content
Open Minded Torah Also available from Continuum Judaism Today, Dan Cohn-Sherbok Turbulent Times, Keith Kahn-Harris and Ben Gidley Open Minded Torah Of Irony, Fundamentalism and Love William Kolbrener Continuum International Publishing Group The Tower Building 80 Maiden Lane 11 York Road Suite 704 London SE1 7NX New York NY 10038 www.continuumbooks.com © William Kolbrener, 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. EISBN 978-1-4411-2126-4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Kolbrener, William. Open minded Torah : of irony, fundamentalism and love / William Kolbrener. p. cm. ISBN 978-1-4411-1866-0 1. Religious tolerance–Judaism. 2. Judaism–21st century. 3. Judaism–Relations. 4. Judaism–Psychology. 5. Judaism–Essence, genius, nature. I. Title. BM645.R44K65 2011 296.09’05–dc22 2010042893 Typeset by Newgen Imaging Systems Pvt Ltd, Chennai, India Printed and bound in the United States of America For Leslie When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Psalms 27.8 Contents Acknowledgments Prologue, Velvel, Govorovo, 1939 Part I Desire and self 1 Making exceptions 2 Do it again, Denzel: Fantasy and second chances 3 Caught in the act: Torah and desire 4 Just dreamin’: The Talmud and the interpretation of dreams 5 The big game: Baseball, John Milton, and making choices 6 Of rabbis and rotting meat 7 Identity is out! 8 Isaac’s bad rap 9 Cheeseburger 10 Writing an inspirational story 11 Eros and translation 12 ‘Swaying towards perfection’: Torah, worldliness, and perversion 13 Jacob’s scar: Wounding and identity 14 Torah and the pleasure principle Part II Dispute and community 15 Oedipus in a Kippa 16 Open minded Torah I: Judaism and fundamentalism 17 Irony Über Alles: An episcopal passover 18 Of false kabbalists and conjurers: Parenting and idolatry 19 From Sinai to the Uzi: New and old Zionisms 20 Modernity is hell: Korah and