"Allan Nadler has performed a great service by bringing the
Mithnagdim more to light. The spiritual universe that he has
unearthed with erudition, imagination, and care is now more
accessible to students of Jewish history and of religion in
general." -- Yehudah Mirsky, New Republic
"In many ways Nadler's work defines the model of a first-rate
monograph on an important subject... It is lucidly argued and
carefully drafted. The technical achievement of figuring out what
is going on in difficult texts matches the intellectual achievement
of framing the whole in terms that bear consequence for a wide
audience interested in the history of Judaism within the history of
religion -- work that makes a difference, indeed a huge
difference." -- Jacob Neusner, Conservative Judaism
The Faith of the Mithnagdim is the first study of the
theological roots of the Mithnagdic objection to Hasidism. Allan
Nadler's pioneering effort fills the void in scholarship on
Mithnagdic thought and corrects the impression that there were no
compelling theological alternatives to Hasidism during the period
of its rapid spread across Eastern Europe at the turn of the
nineteenth century. In Nadler's account, Mithnagdism emerges as a
highly developed religious outlook that is essentially
conservative, deeply dualistic, and profoundly pessimistic about
humanity's spiritual potential -- all in stark contrast to
Hasidism's optimism and aggressive encouragement of mysticism and
religious rapture among its followers.
"In reconstructing the 'faith of the Mithnagdim, ' Nadler
introduces us to a remarkable universe of individuals and ideas.
His pioneering reconstruction of Mithnagdic thought marks a turning
point inour understanding of a crucial moment in Jewish history.
From now on, anyone interested in the development of modern Judaism
will have to take into account what he has done." -- Jay Harris,
Commentary
"Nadler's work is a significant contribution to Jewish
intellectual history and has wider significance in that it is also
the first attempt to come to terms with thinkers who, until now,
have been greatly misunderstood. It would not be surprising if
Nadler's book became the impetus for much further research in this
area." -- Marc B. Shapiro, Journal of Jewish Studies
"Nadler's book opens up a whole area of investigation in the
history of Jewish religious thought... Nadler totally revises our
image of Mithnagdism and establishes it as an extremely important
movement. He deals with a whole array of basic theological and
religious issues -- divine immanence, prayer, asceticism,
worldliness, and enlightenment. It is required reading for anyone
interested in Jewish religious thought." -- David E. Fishman,
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
"Nadler has presented us with an important, interesting, and
readable work for anyone seeking a better and more balanced
understanding of Judaism in the modern age." -- Joshua Adler,
Jerusalem Post
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