Major Philosophers of Jewish Prayer in the 20th Century
Book Description
In an age where traditional forms of worship often feel disconnected from contemporary spiritual needs, many Jewish practitioners find themselves struggling with prayer that lacks personal meaning and emotional resonance. Jack Cohen addresses these profound challenges by examining the wisdom of influential twentieth-century Jewish theologians alongside feminist theological perspectives.
This thoughtful exploration tackles the real obstacles that modern worshipers face: difficulty focusing during formal liturgical services, feeling emotionally distant from ancient texts, questioning theological assumptions, and grappling with prayer language that emphasizes masculine imagery and anthropomorphic concepts of the divine. Rather than dismissing these concerns, Cohen treats them as legitimate spiritual challenges worthy of serious theological consideration.
Through careful analysis of major Jewish philosophical voices from the past century, the book offers fresh perspectives on how prayer can become more personally meaningful and spiritually authentic. The inclusion of feminist theological insights broadens the conversation beyond traditional boundaries, making space for diverse approaches to connecting with the sacred.
While rooted in Jewish tradition and thought, the book's examination of prayer's fundamental challenges speaks to anyone wrestling with formal religious practice in the modern world. Cohen creates a bridge between classical Jewish wisdom and contemporary spiritual seeking, offering readers tools for deepening their own prayer experience regardless of their specific religious background.
This work serves both as theological study and practical guide for those seeking more authentic spiritual connection.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 208 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Kook, abraham isaac, 1865-1935
- ✓ Explore Judaism
- ✓ Explore Jewish philosophers
- ✓ Deepen your prayer practice
- ✓ Explore Reconstructionist judaism
- ✓ Explore Orthodox judaism
- ✓ Explore Judaism, 20th century
- ✓ Explore Kaplan, mordecai menahem, 1881-1983
