Jews, Gentiles, and Other Animals
Book Description
In this groundbreaking exploration of Jewish religious thought, scholar Mira Beth Wasserman invites readers into a profound examination of human identity and our place in the larger cosmos. Through her careful analysis of Avoda Zara, one of the Talmud's most complex and historically controversial sections, she reveals how ancient rabbinic wisdom speaks to contemporary questions about what it means to be human.
Wasserman demonstrates that beneath the surface of laws governing relationships between different religious communities lies a deeper philosophical inquiry into the connections that bind all people together. Her innovative approach bridges traditional Jewish scholarship with modern critical theory, including animal studies and new materialist thought, offering fresh perspectives on age-old questions about human nature and difference.
Rather than viewing the Talmud's seemingly scattered discussions as mere digressions, Wasserman uncovers a coherent vision that places humanity within a broader network of relationships encompassing animals, objects, and the natural world. This work transforms a text that has historically been a source of interfaith tension into a resource for understanding our shared humanity and interconnectedness.
For readers seeking to deepen their understanding of how ancient wisdom traditions can illuminate contemporary spiritual and philosophical questions, this book offers a unique lens through which to explore themes of identity, community, and our relationship to the world around us.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 328 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Relations
- ✓ Explore Judaism, relations
- ✓ Explore Textual Criticism
- ✓ Explore Judaism
- ✓ Explore Theological anthropolgy
- ✓ Explore Gentiles in rabbinical literature
- ✓ Strengthen your faith journey
- ✓ Explore Theological anthropology
