Jewish Intellectual History: 16th to 20th Century

This series of 24 lectures explores the evolution of Jewish thought over four centuries, focusing on how thinkers have addressed profound questions about faith, identity, and meaning in a world marked by suffering and change. It examines how Judaism has adapted itself to modern circumstances by rethinking its beliefs and practices, highlighting the influence of key figures like Baruch Spinoza. Organized around three perspectives—insiders, outsiders, and rejectionists—the course reveals how Jewish intellectual traditions continue to shape the faith’s ongoing attempt to find hope and purpose in an uncertain world.