Heidegger and His Jewish Reception

Daniel Herskowitz explores the complex relationship between Jewish thinkers and Martin Heidegger, highlighting the tensions between attraction and repulsion, and how Heidegger's thought influenced the re-conceptualization of Jewishness in the modern world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In his captivating book, Daniel Herskowitz delves into the profound and enduring connection between Judaism and one of the most influential and divisive modern philosophers, Martin Heidegger. By situating this encounter within the broader realms of intellectual, cultural, and political contexts, Herskowitz skillfully outlines the central themes and the diverse Jewish responses to Heidegger's thought. Through a dialectic of attraction and repulsion, Jewish thinkers embarked on a quest to forge a unique version of Jewishness that aimed to provide a path out of the profound crisis that plagued their world. As they perceived it, Heidegger's life and philosophy embodied this crisis, prompting them to engage with his existential analytic and confront what they perceived as its religious, ethical, and political shortcomings.

Ironically, Heidegger's ideas proved to be a fertile ground for re-conceptualizing what it means to be Jewish in the modern world. Herskowitz's meticulous research and insightful analysis shed light on the complex interplay between Judaism and Heidegger's philosophy, offering a rich and nuanced understanding of this intriguing relationship. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of philosophy, religion, and culture, as well as the enduring impact of Heidegger's thought on the Jewish community.

ISBN-13: 9781108749954