The Philosophy of Rabbi Shalom Ber Schneersohn: Language, Gender and Mysticism

Reuven Leigh's book provides an in-depth introduction to the pioneering philosophy of Rabbi Shalom Ber Schneersohn, bringing him into dialogue with key continental philosophers. It reveals how Schneersohn's views anticipated many prominent themes in 20th-century thought, such as the disruption of traditional binary structures, speech, gender, and the body. Leigh challenges scholarly assumptions that have excluded traditional rabbinic thinkers from contemporary philosophical debates and offers a close reading of Schneersohn's 1898 discourses. The book demonstrates how Schneersohn's ideas were forward-thinking over a century ago and how relevant they still are today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Reuven Leigh offers a comprehensive exploration of Rabbi Shalom Ber Schneersohn's pioneering philosophy, engaging him in dialogue with influential continental philosophers such as Emmanuel Levinas, Jacques Derrida, and Julia Kristeva. Through this book, Leigh unveils how Schneersohn's views anticipated numerous prominent themes in 20th-century thought.

Shalom Ber Schneersohn, the fifth Rebbe of the Habad-Lubavitch dynasty, was a traditional Kabbalistic thinker who delved into profound discussions of speech, gender, and the body. Despite his significant contributions, Schneersohn remains relatively unknown in contemporary philosophical circles. Leigh aims to rectify this by challenging scholarly assumptions that have excluded traditional rabbinic thinkers from contemporary philosophical debates.

In his book, Leigh conducts a close reading of Schneersohn's 1898 discourses, focusing on the disruption of traditional binary structures as a central theme. He engages with Levinas's provocative ideas on speech and the feminine, highlighting how Schneersohn's views anticipated Derridean deconstruction's positive approach to presence. Leigh also demonstrates how Schneersohn foreshadows Kristeva's central philosophical concerns, ranging from the disruption of the hierarchy of signification to the semiotic aspect of language and the maternal body.

The Philosophy of Rabbi Shalom Ber Schneersohn is a comprehensive and inclusive volume that showcases not only how forward-thinking Schneersohn's ideas were over a century ago but also how relevant they remain today. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in philosophy, religion, and gender studies. By engaging with Schneersohn's thought, Leigh provides a fresh perspective on traditional Jewish philosophy and its relevance to contemporary debates.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 147 x 224 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350341197