Rabbinic Theology and Jewish Intellectual History

Rabbi Loew (the Maharal) of Prague remains one of the most influential and prolific Jewish thinkers of his time. Widely considered one of the fathers of Hassidic thought and a harbinger of Modern Jewish philosophy, his life and work have retained their influence and remain prevalent today.

Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, this book ranges from an analysis of the historical background to Maharal’s thought, to examining the relevance of this thought in the modern era, before addressing the popular cultural and folkloristic reception of Maharal’s impact on modern, Western culture. This book presents a new understanding of familiar material and will be an invaluable asset to students and scholars of Modern and Early-Modern Jewish History and Intellectual thought.

Meir Seidler is senior lecturer in the Department of Jewish Studies at the Ariel University Center in Samaria, Israel. His childhood in Prague acquainted him with the folklore surrounding the Maharal, whilst his position in academia has enabled him to upgrade a childhood memory to an academic endeavour.