In the time of the nations

Book Description

In this profound exploration of Jewish thought and identity, Emmanuel Levinas examines the complex relationship between Judaism and the broader world of nations that surrounds it. Drawing from the Talmudic concept of the "seventy nations" representing all of humanity beyond Israel, Levinas navigates the delicate tensions between Jewish tradition and European intellectual culture that have emerged since the Enlightenment.

This collection brings together philosophical essays and Talmudic interpretations that wrestle with fundamental questions of belonging, distance, and cultural integration. Levinas offers deep reflections on influential Jewish thinkers Franz Rosenzweig and Moses Mendelssohn, illuminating their contributions to bridging Jewish wisdom and universal philosophy. Through five carefully selected Talmudic readings spanning the 1980s, he demonstrates how ancient texts continue to speak to contemporary spiritual and philosophical concerns.

The work culminates in a significant dialogue that places Jewish philosophical insights within the broader context of human thought, revealing how particular traditions can offer universal wisdom. Levinas masterfully shows how the encounter between Jewish spirituality and philosophical inquiry creates new possibilities for understanding both faith and reason.

For readers seeking to understand how religious tradition engages with modern intellectual life, this book offers a thoughtful meditation on identity, community, and the ongoing dialogue between particular wisdom traditions and universal human concerns.