I was shocked when I opened the current edition of Moment magazine to see a full page  ad for a book called "Bondage of the Mind: How Old Testament Fundamentalism Shackles the Mind and Enslaves the Spirit."

There are blurbs from Jacob Neusner, Michael Shermer and David Aaron, extolling the rationality of Gold's approach. From the quote attributed to Neusner:" Reason and criticism  identify liberal Judaism  as the kind of religion that enlightened people seek. The challenge to Orthodoxy  is argued clearly and passionately.....( it is the) most important book of its kind in  the last hundred years."

1) Why would a book written for Jews refer to the Tanakh as the OT?

2) Is it appropriate for Jewish magazines to take money for ads that seek to divide klal Yisrael?

I mean, if  a book purporting to attack the basis of all Judaisms written by a Christian wanted to  advertise in Moment, I feel fairly confident that the publishers would have refused to take the ad. But someone blasting Orthodoxy ( and bluntly stating that anyone who is 'enlightened' would not  consider to follow it) is kosher as long as they are Jewish?

3) Are any of you going to buy the book?


Good shabbos to all

There's nothing wrong with criticism as long as its constructive. If the arguments presented are fair and well thought out then I have no problem with it (well, except the title..."Old Testament"?)

My mind is enslaved my spirit enshackled.. oy!  What can I say.. I'm happy! :D

There's nothing wrong with challenging orthodoxy. I think that we can live up to challenges.
But the "enslaved minds" vs. "enlightened" - same old, same old. Sounds like defunct communist propaganda. Not exactly intellectually stimulating.

[QUOTE=yosefrachamim;376351]
He claims to have written or edited over 1,000 books in his career. Assuming his career began when he received his PhD in 1960, 1,000 books over 48 years comes out to almost 21 books a year.[/QUOTE]I think he doesn't write a second (third, fourth etc.) draft of anything.  And "editing" a book often just means putting your name on the cover so people will buy it.  Maybe, just maybe, he asks his students do a little research for him.;)

When I was studying in a nearby university, I heard this story:  A young graduate student shows up at Neusner's house to consult with him.  His wife answers the door.  "Sorry, Jake is busy now writing a book."  The student glances at his watch, then replies, "I'll wait.":D