Touro president and Jewish studies dean chronicle a history of learning and achievement in new book release.
(Courtesy of Touro College) Highlighting: “The Jewish Intellectual Tradition” by Alan Kadish, Michael A. Shmidman, Simcha Fishbane. Academic Studies Press. 2021. English. Hardcover. 450 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1644695340.
The Jewish intellectual tradition has a long and complex history that has resulted in significant and influential works of scholarship. “The Jewish Intellectual Tradition” is a newly-released book published by Academic Studies Press and authored by Teaneck residents Dr. Alan Kadish, president of Touro College and University System, and Rabbi Dr. Michael Shmidman, dean of the Touro College Graduate School of Jewish Studies, in collaboration with Dr. Simcha Fishbane, professor at Touro.
The authors suggest that there is a series of common principles that can be extracted from the Jewish intellectual tradition that have broad, even life-changing, implications for individual and societal achievement. These principles include respect for tradition while encouraging independent, often disruptive thinking; a precise system of logical reasoning in pursuit of the truth; universal education continuing through adulthood; and living a purposeful life.
“Maimonides is a historical figure who truly embodied this tradition,” said Shmidman. “An expert in many different disciplines from Jewish law to philosophy and medicine, he venerated the tradition of scholarship and learning that he inherited. He then advanced it further in his own creative and innovative ways by composing a Jewish legal code of unprecedented scope, as well as attempting to synthesize the philosophic and Jewish traditions.”
Exploring the history and influence of the Jewish intellectual tradition, this volume unpacks the underlying values and principles of the tradition, and informs how those values and principles may be applied universally to produce significant advances in education, productivity and personal happiness.
“Mentorship, collaborative learning, and living life with a higher purpose are principles rooted in this tradition that anyone can apply today,” said Kadish. “If you look at intellectual achievement in the general global society, the real advances usually happen in cultures that have significant power and economic and social stability. The unique feature of Jewish intellectual achievement is that it continues even at times of poverty, pogroms and great challenges … The striving for a higher purpose means that you’re able to overcome the day-to-day stresses and recognize that working to attain intellectual achievement has inherent value. Jewish scholars have been able to continue their studies despite COVID and the isolation, because they believe their work has eternal value and meaning.”
