Immanence and Jewish Political Thought

Session Submission Type: Panel Session

Abstract

Jewish political thought, and in fact Jewish thought generally, is, rather understandably, focused on God as a transcendent or supernatural being and what that means for Jewish politics. However, the rich tradition and history of Jewish thought also has a strong naturalist or immanent vein as well. In turn, this panel brings together scholars from diverse sub-fields in Jewish studies to engage the question of Jewish political thought from the perspective of the immanence of God.

Sub Unit

• Modern Jewish Thought and Theology

Chair

• Emily Filler, Earlham College

Individual Presentations

• Spinoza, Immanence, the Love of God, and Jewish Political Thought - Erik Dreff, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• Critique without Transcendence? On Immanence and Changing the World - Larisa Reznik, Goucher College

• Nature's Immanence and the Political Necessity of Religion - Heidi M Ravven, Hamilton College