Rome and Jerusalem: The Last National Question (1862) is a foundational work of modern Jewish nationalism, written as a sequence of reflective letters that combine political theory, historical meditation, and prophetic urgency. Hess argues that Jewish emancipation in Europe cannot be fulfilled by assimilation alone, because antisemitism persists as a national question rather than merely a religious prejudice. In dialogue with nineteenth-century nationalism, socialism, and the Risorgimento,...

In "Rome and Jerusalem: The Last National Question," Moses Hess intricately weaves a philosophical and political treatise that addresses the Jewish national identity and the quest for Zionism during the tumultuous 19th century. Utilizing a blend of historical analysis, sociopolitical critique, and personal reflections, Hess's writing reflects the influences of Hegelian philosophy and the burgeoning socialist movement. The book is a passionate plea for the unification of the Jewish diaspora...

In "Rome and Jerusalem: The Last National Question," Moses Hess presents a seminal exploration of the Jewish national identity and its historical trajectory through the lens of nationalism and socialism. Written in the 19th century, Hess employs a reflective and passionate literary style, intertwining philosophical musings with socio-political analysis. The text emerges in a crucial period marked by the rise of nationalist movements in Europe, positioning Hess's arguments within broader de...

This is the book that ultimately led to the creation of Israel.European Jews had been vilified and persecuted for centuries, and Moses Hess discussed it long before the rise of Hitler and Nazism.He believed that the Jews would always be homeless, unwelcomed people unless they had their own country, and was the first to introduce the concepts of Zionism, and the first to call for the foundation of a Jewish socialist commonwealth.Hess blends secular and religious phil...

Published in 1862, Rome and Jerusalem: The Last National Question fuses prophetic polemic with historical analysis. Cast as a series of letters, the book opposes 'Rome'—imperial power and assimilative modernity—to 'Jerusalem,' the emblem of ethical nationhood and renewal. Hess argues that Jewish emancipation without national restoration is illusory, advocating a return to Palestine and a cooperative, socialist commonwealth rooted in productive labor. Engaging the era's debates on nationali...

Moses (Moshe) Hess (June 21, 1812 April 6, 1875) was a Jewish philosopher and socialist, and one of the founders of Zionism. Hess originally advocated Jewish integration into the universalist socialist movement, and was a friend and collaborator of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Hess converted Engels to Communism, and introduced Marx to social and economic problems. He played an important role in transforming Hegelian dialectical idealism theory of history to the dialectical materialism of ...

A collection of lectures on the features of the movement of mysticism that began in antiquity and continues in Hasidism today.

An essential volume of Judaic thought from the renowned theologian, "a truly great prophet" (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)This first collection of Abraham Joshua Heschel's essays—compiled, edited and with an introduction by his daughter Susannah Heschel, is a stunning reminder of the virtuosity of one of the most well-respected minds in Judaic studies.

An internationally renowned scholar and theologian details the "the golden period in Jewish history, in the history of the Jewish soul" (Abraham Joshua Herschel, from the preface by the author).A riveting portrayal of a bygone culture of Jews in Eastern Europe by one of the foremost Jewish thinkers of the century, Earth Is The Lord's reveals the daily life of Jews prior to the twentieth century. With woodcut illustrations by Ilya Schor complementing the te...

From "one of the most prophetic Catholic writers of our time," philosophical essays exploring topics such as totalitarianism, love and solitude ( New Republic ).This classic collection of essays from leading Christian theologian Thomas Merton explores the coming together of the active and the contemplative life and the relationship of individuals to society. Merton's writing is both lively and profound as he leads the read...

Edited by Nahum N. GlatzerWith a new Foreword by Rodger Kamenetz“The question I put before you, as well as before myself, is the question of the meaning of Judaism for the Jews. Why do we call ourselves Jews? I want to speak to you not of an abstraction but of your own life . . . its authenticity and essence.” With these words, Martin Buber takes us on a journey into the heart of Judaism—its spirit, vision, and relevance to modern life.

An insightful collection of essays on the Kabbalah and Jewish spirituality—from the preeminent scholar of Jewish mysticism.Gershom Scholem was the master builder of historical studies of the Kabbalah. When he began to work on this neglected field, the few who studied these texts were either amateurs who were looking for occult wisdom, or old-style Kabbalists who were seeking guidance on their spiritual journeys. His work broke with the outlook of the scholars of th...