An interview about my book, Holiness and Society, with the Jewish Journal.
Ronen Shoval’s “Holiness and Society” Examines Collective Holiness and Jewish Political Thought by: Kylie Ora Lobell In his new book...
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Endorsement
"Is there a Jewish concept of holiness that is distinct from that of Greek and Christian civilization? In this book, Ronen Shoval examines the key texts on holiness in Hebrew Scripture, proposing that the biblical ideal of a 'holy nation' provides a 'supreme norm' in light of which biblical law and the nation of Israel are given a shape. This is a daring work, which forcefully challenges accepted distinctions between body and soul, the political and the sacred, the holy and the secular, and uncovers a unique biblical concept of a holiness that belongs to an entire nation when they live with God among them."
YORAN HAZONY
President of the Herzl Institute and author of The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture
My Story
I am pleased to share the culmination of a long research journey that began in Jerusalem and reached its completion during my final research year at Princeton University.
As an Israeli philosopher and the dean of the Argaman Institute for Advanced Studies, I am delighted to announce that my new book, “Holiness and Society: A Socio-Political Exploration of the Mosaic Tradition,” has just been published by Routledge Press.
The book explores the subtle political philosophy embedded within the Biblical narrative, offering insights that complement Ancient Greek philosophy for contemporary political distinctions. It focuses on examining holiness as a unique political category, influencing institutions, ethics, justice, and even the use of force. By merging sociology with the concept of holiness, this work challenges traditional religious scholarship and provides an integrated approach to understanding these timeless themes.
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