Open Minded Torah

In essays as likely to turn to baseball Denzel Washington and the NASDAQ as to Macbeth quantum physics and psychoanalysis William Kolbrener provides powerful - and often surprising - insights into how open mindedness allows for authentic Jewish commitment in an age otherwise defined by fundamentalism and unbelief. Open Minded Torah presents - on topics ranging from parenting a son with Down syndrome to Biblical criticism to Talmudic interpretation of dreams - a perspective on Torah which emphasizes scepticism creativity and the need to embrace difference. Through a personal synthesis of Western and Jewish learning popular culture and philosophy Kolbrener offers a compelling new vision where being open minded allows for a non-dogmatic and committed Jewish life. Informed by Kolbrener's considerable erudition but always accessible the essays show that scepticism informs belief commitment grounds creativity and non-defensive receptiveness makes individual autonomy possible. For every person it is said there is a corresponding letter in the Torah: this innovative collection shows Kolbrener writing his letter and providing the inspiration for others to write their own.