Second Ancient Judaism

Author: Max Weber
Publisher: Yuan Liu Publishing Company
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Introduction "A God (Yahweh), not only does not defend the nation He has chosen (Israel) to fight against the enemy, but even allows it to fall into, or pushes it into, humiliation and servitude. Yet this God is even more fervently worshipped and revered, which is an unprecedented contradiction, a phenomenon without parallel." (From Ancient Judaism, p. 497). This should also be the point that puzzles all those interested in world history and religious culture. Weber reexamines this phenomenon from the perspective of "standing at the fulcrum of the entire cultural development of the West and the Near East," thereby writing his own interpretation of the historical development of Judaism. Looking at the current world situation, the comprehensive conflict between Islam and Christian civilization, which has been escalating since the Middle Ages' Crusades, is still in full swing. Whether it is Christianity or Islam, in the end, both draw their nourishing sources from ancient Judaism. Why is the conflict so intense among siblings of the same root? There must be many "deeply inexplicable" aspects to it. Ancient Judaism may perhaps provide some answers from the very beginning.