Language:
English
Year of publication:
2019
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Jewish Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
70,1 (2019) 155-178
Keywords:
Weber, Max,
;
Rieff, Philip,
;
Shils, Edward,
;
Civilization, Modern Jewish influences
;
Judaism Philosophy 20th century
;
Charisma (Personality trait) Religious aspects
;
Judaism
Abstract:
This article examines critical assessments of Max Weber's influential writings on Judaism. It focuses primarily on criticisms of Weber articulated by American Jewish sociologist Philip Rieff (1922-2006) and his one-time teacher Edward Shils (1910-1995). In a posthumously published 2007 work entitled Charisma: The Gift of Grace, and How It Has Been Taken Away from Us, Rieff takes aim at Weber's concept of charisma. In doing so, he argues for a novel yet traditional understanding of the contribution of Judaism to Western culture. This article explores challenges to Weber from Rieff and Shils under three headings: the distinctiveness of the Jewish people; the nature of charisma; and covenant and prophets. It reviews Weber's writings on these subjects and argues that Rieff correctly identifies ways in which Weber's concept of charisma remains beholden to Protestant thought and a mode of inquiry that obscures and opposes key aspects of Jewish self-understanding.
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