Judaism as a civilization
Book • 1957
In 'Judaism as a Civilization,' Mordecai M. Kaplan argues that Judaism should be conceived not solely as a religion but as a comprehensive civilization encompassing culture, history, language, and social institutions.
Kaplan reorients Jewish identity around peoplehood and communal continuity, emphasizing adaptive practices over strict theological formulations.
The book lays out his vision for modern Jewish life, advocating for rituals and institutions that sustain communal bonds in contemporary contexts.
It became a foundational text for Reconstructionist thought and influenced broader debates in American Judaism about modernity and religious practice.
Kaplan’s proposals challenged denominational boundaries and sparked both interest and controversy across the Jewish spectrum.
Kaplan reorients Jewish identity around peoplehood and communal continuity, emphasizing adaptive practices over strict theological formulations.
The book lays out his vision for modern Jewish life, advocating for rituals and institutions that sustain communal bonds in contemporary contexts.
It became a foundational text for Reconstructionist thought and influenced broader debates in American Judaism about modernity and religious practice.
Kaplan’s proposals challenged denominational boundaries and sparked both interest and controversy across the Jewish spectrum.
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Jenna Weissman Joselit
The Greatest Rabbi Of All Time? With Jenna Weissman Joselit
