All educated Jews, including those who are not experts in Judaism, have to face the question of the significance of Judaism in modern society. The answers to this question in the Israeli context tend to reflect one of two main viewpoints: Judaism as a nationality or Judaism as life based on halakhic practice.

This book is a compelling attempt to seek answers in other traditions of thought to the question of the role of Judaism in contemporary Israeli life. The guiding principle is respect for Jews of all backgrounds and beliefs, but at the same time, in opposition to the widespread contrast between “religious” and “secular,” it proposes an original approach to thinking about Judaism and its role, based on the concept of tradition.

Loyalty, which is an essential component of tradition, is presented in the book as a fruitful basis for dialogue with the past and as an anchor for revised interpretation of our identities in the present. Buzaglo’s unique approach avoids the limitations of discourse based on "tolerance" and calls for a vibrant, respectful discussion and the development of a common language, since no debate worthy of the name is possible without one.
 
Dr. Meir Buzaglo is a lecturer in the Hebrew University Department of Philosophy; his interests include philosophy of logic, Jewish thought, and metaphysics. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is involved in problems of Israeli society and education and in the revival of Traditional piyyut.
 
Language for the Faithful was edited by Avi Katzman and published by the Mandel Foundation and Keter Publishing House as part of the Mar’ei Makom ("References") series.

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