Our aim is to present four attractive topics connected, in many ways, with Jewish theoretical reflexions as well as with their practical consequences.

1. Texts and contexts

A: What is Jewish philosophy? Greek thoughts, Arabic culture, European acceptance and development.

B: Scepticism towards foreign sciences. Talmudic criticism of philosophy and medieval controversy over philosophical teaching.

C: Texts: Sh. Carmy, D. Schatz: “The Bible as a Source for Philosophical Reflection” and Anonymous letter against philosophy

2. Jewish rationalism

A: Maimonides. Guide of the Perplexed and the Aristotelian background. Theory of prophecy. Soul of man.

B: Haskalah and Moses Mendelssohn. Jewish Enlightenment and the Exodus from the ghetto. Rational theology, Reform Judaism.

C: Texts: Maimonides, Letter on the Management of health and M. Mendelssohn: Jerusalem or On Religious Power and Judaism.

3. Jewish existentialism

A: J. D. Soloveitchik. The lonely man of faith in the modern world.

B: A. J. Heschel. The meaning of Jewish existence.

C: Texts: J. D. Soloveitchik, The Lonely Man of Faith; A. J. Heschel, God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism.

4. Jewish political and social philosophy

A: Spinoza: Comments on the traditional Judaism. The book forged in hell: Spinoza´s Theological-Political Treatise.

B: Hannah Arendt and political philosophy. Totalitarianism, citizenship and action. Nature of evil.

C: Texts: Spinoza, Theological-Political Treatise (book 1); H. Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem. A Report on the Banality of Evil.