The Moral Hermeneutics of David Novak

Session Submission Type: Panel Session

Abstract

**in memoriam Rabbi Asher Turin**

David Novak’s thought is unique in reconstructing a natural law ethics from the sources of the Jewish tradition, especially regarding the concept of the Noachide Laws. Novak’s philosophy is grounded in rabbinic texts, medieval Jewish philosophy and post-Kantian philosophy, while also in dialogue with and in critique of contemporary liberal theory. This panel will deal with an underexplored area of Novak’s thought: his hermeneutics of biblical, rabbinic and medieval philosophical texts. Jonathan Milevsky will present on Novak’s exegesis of God’s covenants with Noah and Abraham in Genesis 9 and 15. Alexander Green will discuss Novak’s interpretation of medieval Jewish philosophy and the contrast he lays out between a metaphysical (in Maimonides) and a non-metaphysical theory of natural law (in Saadya, Nachmanides and others). Randi Rashkover will examine Novak’s use of taamei ha-mitzvot (the reasons for the commandments) as a response to the challenge of secularization.

Sub Unit

• Medieval Jewish Philosophy

Chair

• Martin Kavka, Florida State University

Individual Presentations

• Novak as Exegete - Jonathan Lawrence Milevsky, Forest Hill Jewish Centre

• Novak and Medieval Jewish Philosophy - Alexander Green, SUNY, University at Buffalo

• Novak, Post-Secularism and the Transcendental Turn - Randi Lynn Rashkover, George Mason University

Respondent

• David Novak, University of Toronto