A Theology of Holiness: Historical, Exegetical, and Philosophical Perspectives

The idea of “holiness” is central to religion, but it is also one of the hardest concepts to define. In Judaism, the word kodesh, the Hebrew word for “holy,” appears hundreds of times throughout Tanakh and the Talmud. It also appears in ancient Near Eastern contexts, throughout rabbinic literature, and is used throughout the Middle Ages and into modern times. Is “holiness” a synonym for Godliness, one of God’s attributes, or does it have independent existence? What does it mean to say that both God and man are holy? What is the proper understanding of “Be holy, because I the Lord your God am holy”? A Theology of Holiness analyzes the meaning of the Hebrew root k-d sh from ancient sources, throughout Tanakh, the Talmud, Rashi, Maimonides, Nahmanides, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik.This work traces how the idea of holiness has been applied throughout the ages. It is a work that utilizes historical, exegetical, linguistic, literary, anthropological, and philosophical tools in an interdisciplinary analysis. Ultimately, it is a work of theology, and helps the reader achieve a deeper understanding of holiness—arguably the most important religious term of them all.

Religion & Spirituality

Goldstein, Alec

Judaism

Kodesh Press

The idea of "holiness" is central to religion, but it is also one of the hardest concepts to define. In Judaism, the word kodesh, the Hebrew word for "holy," appears hundreds of times throughout Tanakh and the Talmud. It also appears in ancient Near Eastern contexts, throughout rabbinic literature, and is used throughout the Middle Ages and into modern times. Is "holiness" a synonym for Godliness, one of God's attributes, or does it have independent existence? What does it mean to say that both God and man are holy? What is the proper understanding of "Be holy, because I the Lord your God am holy"? A Theology of Holiness analyzes the meaning of the Hebrew root k-d-sh from ancient sources, throughout Tanakh, the Talmud, Rashi, Maimonides, Nahmanides, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. This work traces how the idea of holiness has been applied throughout the ages. It is a work that utilizes historical, exegetical, linguistic, literary, anthropological, and philosophical tools in an interdisciplinary analysis. Ultimately, it is a work of theology, and helps the reader achieve a deeper understanding of holiness--arguably the most important religious term of them all­.

Kodesh Press L.L.C.

Rabbi Moses son of Maimon, known in Hebrew as Rambam and English as Maimonides (1135-1204), is one of the great luminaries of Judaism whose contributions can hardly be overstated. Though he never authored a linear commentary, he freely quotes biblical verses throughout all of his writings. As interest in Torah learning continues to expand rapidly, this work will surely prove to be a tremendous resource. Maimonides on the Book of Exodus is the culmination of an exhaustive endeavor to identify where Maimonides quotes or alludes to a biblical passage. This work arranges those comments in the order that the verses appear in the Torah. This work also draws on the great critics and defenders of Maimonides, and those debates are examined in depth. Some questions that are explored include: • Are Jews commanded to believe in God? • How is Pharaoh’s loss of free will justified? • What is the meaning of the cryptic phrase “I am that I am”? • What does it mean that God tests the Jewish people? • What is the purpose of the Passover offering? • What is the purpose of the tabernacle?On these and many other questions, the answers of Maimonides are explored side-by-side with Rashi, Ra’avad, Nahmanides (Ramban), Kuzari, Sforno, and countless others.

Maimonides on the Book of Exodus

Politics & Social Sciences

Maimonides, Moses

Philosophy

Strauss, Spinoza & Sinai: Orthodox Judaism and Modern Questions of Faith

Bloom, Jeffrey

Student, Gil

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