How do we know this?

Book Description

How do we determine what is true and meaningful in our spiritual traditions? Jay Michael Harris explores this fundamental question through an illuminating examination of how Jewish communities have approached religious authority and interpretation across centuries.

This scholarly yet accessible work reveals how different movements within Judaism developed distinct relationships with their classical heritage, particularly regarding rabbinic legal interpretation known as midrash halakah. Harris demonstrates that the emergence of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Judaism in the modern era stems from fundamentally different attitudes toward ancient rabbinic teachings and their continued relevance.

The book uncovers a previously overlooked connection between contemporary Jewish denominational divisions and the interpretive foundations established in classical Judaism. As Jewish communities encountered modernity, each movement faced crucial questions about their ancestral wisdom. Should ancient interpretations of biblical law still guide contemporary life? Do these traditional understandings remain compelling and reasonable for modern seekers?

Harris shows how each denomination crafted its own response to these challenges while actively debating the positions taken by others. Through this analysis, readers gain insight into how religious communities navigate the tension between honoring their heritage and adapting to contemporary realities.

This exploration offers valuable perspectives for anyone interested in understanding how spiritual traditions evolve, maintain authority, and address the ongoing question of what constitutes authentic religious knowledge in an ever-changing world.