Overview

"Israel and the Nations: The Bible, The Rabbis, and Jewish-Gentile Relations explores the Jewish theology and law (Halakhah) relating to non-Jews. It analyzes biblical, talmudic, medieval, and contemporary Jewish writings about gentiles and their religions. The Bible challenges the Jewish people to be ""a blessing for all the families of the earth."" Yet throughout history, Jewish experience with gentiles was complex. In the biblical and talmudic eras most gentiles were assumed to be idolators. In the Middle Ages most rabbis considered their Christian neighbors idolators, and Christian enmity sharpened the otherness Jews felt toward their Christian hosts. Muslims were monotheists, but Jewish-Muslim relations were sometimes positive and at other times difficult. With the advent secular tolerance in modernity, Jews found themselves in a new relationship with their gentile neighbors. How should Jews relate to gentiles today, and what are the bounds of Jewish tolerance and religious pluralism? The book will interest both Jewish laypersons familiar with Jewish tradition as well as scholars of theology and interfaith relations"

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Reviews

"""This is an informative volume that traces the evolution of Jewish-Gentile relations and posits a path forward. It would be a valuable resource for those interested in interfaith dialogue."" — C. and Anne-Marie Belinfante, AJL News & Reviews “Today, Korn insists, Jews must lock arms with Christians to fight common enemies—relativism and secularism on the left, and radical Islamist violence on the right. Against the recent devaluation of human nature, Jews and Christians must teach the sanctity of human life... At a time when antisemitism is on the rebound and Jews like Rabbi Korn are fighting to defend Christians, it is high time we listened to voices like his. His new book is a great place to start.” — Gerald McDermott, Juicy Ecumenism: The Institute on Religion & Democracy's Blog"

"“Dr. Korn has presented a thoughtful volume that challenges us to think and re-think the Jewish views on interfaith relations. As an Orthodox rabbi as well as a PhD in philosophy, he offers deep intellectual knowledge along with insights gained from many years of personal experience with interfaith dialogue. If we are to be a ‘light unto the nations’ it would be well to ponder the ideas Dr. Korn presents in this book.” — Rabbi Marc D. Angel, IDEAS: Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals ""This is an informative volume that traces the evolution of Jewish-Gentile relations and posits a path forward. It would be a valuable resource for those interested in interfaith dialogue."" — C. and Anne-Marie Belinfante, AJL News & Reviews “Today, Korn insists, Jews must lock arms with Christians to fight common enemies—relativism and secularism on the left, and radical Islamist violence on the right. Against the recent devaluation of human nature, Jews and Christians must teach the sanctity of human life... At a time when antisemitism is on the rebound and Jews like Rabbi Korn are fighting to defend Christians, it is high time we listened to voices like his. His new book is a great place to start.” — Gerald McDermott, Juicy Ecumenism: The Institute on Religion & Democracy's Blog ""This book offers important clarifications that will enhance Jewish Christian dialogue."" — R. A. Boisclair, CHOICE ""There have been few volumes in modern times quite like this one. Eugene Korn displays a masterful knowledge of Jewish sources, an impressive knowledge of the history of Jewish-Christian relations, and a striking fluency in Christian theology past and present. The book’s foundational text is 'And all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you' (Genesis 12:3) taken as a challenge to the Jewish people to spread knowledge of God to the world. As a central feature of the book, this ideal motivates a superb edifice of extended, clear argumentation in defense of Christians functioning as partners with the Jews in the covenant between God and Abraham. From now on, discussions on Jewish-Christian relations must start with facing this formidable book."" — Jerome Yehuda Gellman, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Ben-Gurion University ""This book confirms Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn’s standing as an important Jewish thinker and major player in the Jewish-Christian dialogue. His voice speaks with moral clarity and ethical force, with spiritual openness and religious integrity. These essays offer the reader a mastery of text and fidelity to tradition displayed in rare combination with fresh thinking, creativity, and growth. Korn’s thinking is particularly valuable because he speaks from within the Orthodox tradition, which has been mostly silent in theological dialogue and missing in action in the sacred cause of overcoming past enmity between Judaism and Christianity. He shows how Judaism and gentile religions can partner to heal humanity and repair the world."" — Rabbi Dr. Irving (Yitz) Greenberg ""Eugene Korn has long studied the Jewish people’s covenantal calling to be a light and blessing in our religiously pluralist world. In this marvelous compilation, Korn opens a panoramic vista onto rabbinic thinking about the religious other. In particular, he offers an Orthodox view consistent with Jewish law that relates to Christianity as a positive religious and spiritual phenomenon. He shows compellingly that the post-World War II Christian-Jewish relationship enables Jews and Christians to be partners in building a future based on a common religious mission. This enlightening book is itself a blessing of hope for our conflicted world."" — Philip A. Cunningham, Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia"

“Today, Korn insists, Jews must lock arms with Christians to fight common enemies—relativism and secularism on the left, and radical Islamist violence on the right. Against the recent devaluation of human nature, Jews and Christians must teach the sanctity of human life... At a time when antisemitism is on the rebound and Jews like Rabbi Korn are fighting to defend Christians, it is high time we listened to voices like his. His new book is a great place to start.” — Gerald McDermott, Juicy Ecumenism: The Institute on Religion & Democracy's Blog

Author Information

Eugene Korn holds a doctorate in philosophy from Columbia University and is an ordained Orthodox rabbi. He has taught philosophy at Columbia, Yeshiva, and Seton Hall Universities. His books include To Be a Holy People: Jewish Tradition and Ethical Values, Jewish Theology and World Religions; Plowshares in Swords?: Religion and Violence; Christianity in the Eyes of Judaism; and Covenant and Hope. His works have been translated into Hebrew, German, Italian and Spanish.

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