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Judaism and Science A Historical Introduction
Noah J. Efron
Book Code: GR3053
ISBN: 0-313-33053-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-33053-7
368 pages
Greenwood Press
Publication: 11/30/2006
List Price: $65.00 (UK Sterling Price: £37.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects: Reviews:
  • In order to understand the historical relationship between Judaism and science, says Efron it is necessary to realize that there is no such thing as Judaism and no such thing as science: both have changed so radically over the centuries that nothing definitive can be said about either except in the context of a particular time and place. This said, he looks at particulars such as the nature of the Talmud and early Rabbinic literature, Medieval Jews and natural philosophy, and Jews and science in the 20th century.
    —Reference & Research Book News     February 2007
  • This interdiscinplinary look at the intersection of Judaism and science is both a useful reference source and an interesting work to read. Academic, public, and synagogue libraries will want to consider it.
    —Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter     May/June 2007
Description: Judaism and Science canvases three millennia of Jewish attitudes towards nature and its study. It answers many questions about the complex relationship of religion and science. How did religious attitudes and dogmas affect Jewish attitudes towards natural knowledge? How was Jewish interest in science reflected, and was facilitated by, links with other cultures - Egypt and Assyria and Babylon in ancient times, Moslem culture in medieval times, and Christian culture during the Renaissance and since? How did science serve as a bridge between religious communities that were otherwise estranged and embattled? How did science serve as a vehicle of assimilation into the wider intellectual culture in which Jews found themselves? The book considers the attitudes and work of particular Jews in different epochs. It takes an "eagle's-eye view" of its subject, considering broad themes from a high vantage, but also swooping down to consider particular individuals at high focus, and in detail. Judaism and Science encompasses the entire history of the interaction of Jews and natural knowledge.
  • Part I: The Sages of Israel and Natural Wisdom describes the images of nature and natural philosophy in the two most important sets of books on the Jewish bookshelf: the Biblical corpus and the Talmudic/Early Rabbinic corpus
  • Part II: Jews and Natural Philosophy shows how Jews explained nature, especially the nature of the heavens, or astronomy and astrology, in medieval times and early modern times.
  • Part III: Jews and Science -- describes the entry of Jews into modern science, beginning in 19th century Europe and 20th century United States, USSR and Israel, emphasizing the social background of the rapid entry of Jews into modern sciences, and of their remarkable successes.
  • The volume includes annotated primary source documents, a timeline of important events, and an bibliography of essential primary and secondary sources for further research..
    • Table of Contents:
    • Foreword
    • Introduction
    • The Stages of Israel and Natural Wisdom
    • Nature of the Bible
    • Nature of the Talmud and Early Rabbinic Literature
    • Jews and Natural Philosophy
    • Medieval Jews and Natural Philosophy
    • Jews and Early Modern Natural Philosophy
    • Jews and Science
    • Jews and Science in 19th century Europe
    • Jews and Science in the 20th century
    • Conclusions
    • Primary Sources
    • Bibliography
    • Index
    LC Card Number: 2006014784
    LCC Class: BM538
    Dewey Class: 296
    PDF Catalogs:
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