The Intellectual History and Rabbinic Culture of Medieval Ashkenaz

Nonfiction, History, France, Medieval, Jewish
Cover of the book The Intellectual History and Rabbinic Culture of Medieval Ashkenaz by Ephraim Kanarfogel, Wayne State University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ephraim Kanarfogel ISBN: 9780814338025
Publisher: Wayne State University Press Publication: December 17, 2012
Imprint: Wayne State University Press Language: English
Author: Ephraim Kanarfogel
ISBN: 9780814338025
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Publication: December 17, 2012
Imprint: Wayne State University Press
Language: English
In The Intellectual History and Rabbinic Culture of Medieval Ashkenaz, author Ephraim Kanarfogel challenges the dominant perception that medieval Ashkenazic rabbinic scholarship was lacking in intellectualism or broad scholarly interests. While cultural interaction between Jews and Christians in western Europe was less than that of Sephardic Jews, Kanarfogel's study shows that the intellectual interests of Ashkenazic rabbinic figures were much broader than Talmudic studies alone. Kanarfogel begins by highlighting several factors that have contributed to relatively narrow perceptions of Ashkenazic rabbinic culture and argues that the Tosafists, and Ashkenazic rabbinic scholarship more generally, advocated a wide definition of the truths that could be discovered through Torah study. He explores differences in talmudic and halakhic studies between the Tosafist centers of northern France and Germany, delves into aspects of biblical interpretation in each region, and identifies important Tosafists and rabbinic figures. Kanarfogel also examines the composition of liturgical poetry (piyyut) by Tosafists, interest in forms of (white) magic and mysticism on the part of a number of northern French Tosafists, and a spectrum of views on the question of anthropomorphism and messianism. Overall, Kanarfogel demonstrates that the approach taken by Tosafists was broader, more open, and more multi-disciplinary than previously considered. Medieval and Jewish history scholars will appreciate Kanarfogel's volume, which is the culmination of several decades of research on the subject.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
In The Intellectual History and Rabbinic Culture of Medieval Ashkenaz, author Ephraim Kanarfogel challenges the dominant perception that medieval Ashkenazic rabbinic scholarship was lacking in intellectualism or broad scholarly interests. While cultural interaction between Jews and Christians in western Europe was less than that of Sephardic Jews, Kanarfogel's study shows that the intellectual interests of Ashkenazic rabbinic figures were much broader than Talmudic studies alone. Kanarfogel begins by highlighting several factors that have contributed to relatively narrow perceptions of Ashkenazic rabbinic culture and argues that the Tosafists, and Ashkenazic rabbinic scholarship more generally, advocated a wide definition of the truths that could be discovered through Torah study. He explores differences in talmudic and halakhic studies between the Tosafist centers of northern France and Germany, delves into aspects of biblical interpretation in each region, and identifies important Tosafists and rabbinic figures. Kanarfogel also examines the composition of liturgical poetry (piyyut) by Tosafists, interest in forms of (white) magic and mysticism on the part of a number of northern French Tosafists, and a spectrum of views on the question of anthropomorphism and messianism. Overall, Kanarfogel demonstrates that the approach taken by Tosafists was broader, more open, and more multi-disciplinary than previously considered. Medieval and Jewish history scholars will appreciate Kanarfogel's volume, which is the culmination of several decades of research on the subject.

More books from Wayne State University Press

Cover of the book The Messiah Texts by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Graveyard of the Lakes by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Jewish Magic before the Rise of Kabbalah by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Bearing Witness to African American Literature: Validating and Valorizing Its Authority, Authenticity, and Agency by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Survivors and Exiles by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book The Origins of the Modern Jew: Jewish Identity and European Culture in Germany, 1749-1824 by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book To Light a Fire by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Transnational Traditions by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Never Try to Teach a Pig to Sing by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Ideology and Change: The Transformation of the Caribbean Left by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book In the Company of Others by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book The Films of Joseph H. Lewis by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book The Killing by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book Young Henry Ford by Ephraim Kanarfogel
Cover of the book History of the Finns in Michigan by Ephraim Kanarfogel
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy