Judentum zwischen Anarchie und Theokratie

By Gabriele Guerra

Book Description

This scholarly exploration examines how German-speaking Jewish intellectuals navigated the complex terrain between spiritual authority and individual freedom in their political thinking. Gabriele Guerra investigates how prominent thinkers transformed religious and theological concepts into tools for cultural and political analysis, revealing a fascinating intersection of faith and philosophy.

The study centers on the intriguing concept of "theocratic anarchism," a paradoxical framework that Walter Benjamin and Gershom Scholem identified in 1919 as their most meaningful response to political challenges. Guerra demonstrates how these influential figures, along with other notable intellectuals including Ernst Bloch, György Lukács, Martin Buber, Gustav Landauer, and Kurt Hiller, reimagined traditional religious terms such as "God's Kingdom," "theocracy," "apocalypse," and "messiah" for contemporary cultural discourse.

Through careful analysis of their writings and philosophical positions, the author illuminates how these thinkers developed a distinctive political theology within German Judaism. This approach reveals fresh perspectives on the eternal tensions between power and transcendence, individual conscience and collective responsibility.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual concepts can inform political thought, this work offers valuable insights into the creative ways religious traditions adapt to modern challenges. The book provides a thoughtful examination of how intellectual outsiders used their unique position to bridge sacred wisdom and secular engagement, creating new frameworks for understanding community and authority.