Emmanuel Levinas's Talmudic Turn: Philosophy and Jewish Thought

Ethan Kleinberg's book explores Emmanuel Levinas's Jewish life and its relation to his philosophical writings, arguing for the role and importance of Levinas's Talmudic lessons. He pairs each chapter with a related Talmudic lecture, using the distinction between God on Our Side and God on God's Side to provide two discrete and conflicting approaches. Kleinberg asks whether the ethical message and moral urgency of Levinas's Talmudic lectures can be extended beyond the texts and beliefs of a chosen people, religion, or even the self.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In this captivating exploration of the intellectual legacy of the French-Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, Ethan Kleinberg delves into the profound connection between his Jewish life and his philosophical writings. Through a meticulous analysis of Levinas's Talmudic lectures in Paris, Kleinberg offers a compelling argument for the significance and role of Levinas's Talmudic lessons in shaping his philosophical thought.

Kleinberg skillfully pairs each chapter with a corresponding Talmudic lecture, employing Levinas's distinctive distinction between God on Our Side and God on God's Side to present two distinct and sometimes conflicting approaches to his Talmudic readings. The first approach, historically situated and argued from our perspective, seeks to contextualize Levinas's Talmudic interpretations within the historical and cultural context of his time. On the other hand, the second approach utilizes Levinas's Talmudic readings themselves to approach the issues as timeless and derived from a higher source, akin to God on God's Side.

By bringing these two approaches together, Kleinberg poses a thought-provoking question: Can the ethical message and moral urgency of Levinas's Talmudic lectures be extended beyond the texts and beliefs of a particular people, religion, or even the seemingly fundamental unit of the self? Through his insightful analysis, Kleinberg touches upon Western philosophy, French Enlightenment universalism, and the rich Lithuanian Talmudic tradition, providing readers with a groundbreaking investigation into the origins, influences, and motivations behind Levinas's turn to and utilization of Talmudic teachings.

This intellectual journey into the life and thought of Emmanuel Levinas is a testament to the enduring power of philosophy to transcend boundaries and shed light on the universal human experience. Kleinberg's work invites us to reflect on the ethical dimensions of our lives and the role of religious and cultural traditions in shaping our understanding of the world.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 150 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503629592