The Jewish Encounter with Hinduism

Hinduism has become a vital 'other' for Judaism over the past decades. The book surveys the history of the relationship from historical to contemporary times, from travellers to religious leadership. It explores the potential enrichment for Jewish theology and spirituality, as well as the challenges for Jewish identity.

This book by Alon Goshen-Gottstein is a wonderful contribution, as it comes at the right time when awareness about pluralism and its effects is continuing to increase, especially in the Western context. I feature this book because I found it enlightening. (Lefrandy Praditya, Current Dialogue, Vol. 74 (5), December, 2022)

'Alon Goshen-Gottstein is an important, world class pioneer in developing Judaism's approach to other religions. In this book, he gives us deeper insight into Hinduism and Judaism. This book will help enable readers to connect to and learn from one of the oldest religions in human history. Such understanding is essential to the credibility and standing of Judaism as a world religion.'- Irving Greenberg

Auteur
Alon Goshen-Gottstein is Executive Director of the Elijah Interfaith Institute, Israel.

Texte du rabat

Hinduism has become a vital 'other' for Judaism over the past decades. The book surveys the history of the relationship from historical to contemporary times, from travellers to religious leadership. It explores the potential enrichment for Jewish theology and spirituality, as well as the challenges for Jewish identity.

Contenu

Introduction

1. Situating the Project - Personal and Collective Dimensions
2. The Hindu-Jewish Encounter - The Present Context
3. The Jews of India - What Can We Learn from Them?
4. Sarmad the Jew - A Precursor of the Encounter
5. Judaism(s) and Hinduism(s)
6. Judaism and Hinduism - Insights from the Comparative Study of Religion
7. The Passage to India, The Quest for Spirituality
8. Saints - Encountering the Divine in Humanity
9. The Wisdom of India - Ancient Images and Contemporary Challenges
10. The Encounter Within: Hinduism and Configurations of Jewish Identity
11. The Encounter Becomes Official: Hindu-Jewish Summits
12. Hinduism and a Jewish Theology of Religions
13. Summary and a Personal Epilogue