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  • © 2017

Rabbi Akiva's Philosophy of Love

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Address Rabbi Akiva's philosophy of love, in light of his life story, the challenges he faced his relationship with his wife Rachel and, ultimately, his agony and death

  • Offers readers a gradual understanding of the wisdom of love, through readings and observations

  • Analyses the internal contradictions and difficulties revealed in the context of attempts to realise and implement harmonious love

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. Introduction: The Sage of Love

    • Naftali Rothenberg
    Pages 1-9
  3. To Love and to be Loved

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 11-11
    2. From Her Love

      • Naftali Rothenberg
      Pages 13-51
    3. The Sage, Desire and Temptation

      • Naftali Rothenberg
      Pages 53-66
    4. Love to the Last Breath

      • Naftali Rothenberg
      Pages 67-88
  4. Philosophy & Praxis of Love

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 89-89
    2. Song of Songs

      • Naftali Rothenberg
      Pages 91-110
    3. Harmony in Love

      • Naftali Rothenberg
      Pages 111-137
    4. Optimism

      • Naftali Rothenberg
      Pages 171-194
    5. The Orchard of Love

      • Naftali Rothenberg
      Pages 195-216
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 217-226

About this book

This book explores the philosophy of love through the thought and life of Rabbi Akiva ben Joseph. Readers of the Talmud are introduced to Rabbi Akiva through the iconic story of his love for his wife Rachel. From this starting point, Naftali Rothenberg conducts a thorough examination of the harmonious approach to love in the obstacle-laden context of human reality. Discussing the deterioration of passion into simple lust, the ability to contend with suffering and death, and so forth, Rothenberg addresses the deepest and most pressing questions about human love. The readings and observations offered here allow readers to acquire the wisdom of love—not merely as an assemblage of theoretical arguments and abstract statements, but as an analysis of the internal contradictions and difficulties revealed in the context of attempts to realize and implement harmonious love. 



Authors and Affiliations

  • The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute , Jerusalem, Israel

    Naftali Rothenberg

About the author

Naftali Rothenberg is a senior research fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, and the Rabbi of Har Adar township, Israel. 

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Rabbi Akiva's Philosophy of Love

  • Authors: Naftali Rothenberg

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58142-2

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-58141-5Published: 28 August 2017

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-86332-0Published: 12 May 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-58142-2Published: 09 August 2017

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XII, 226

  • Topics: Jewish Theology, Philosophy of Man, Religion and Psychology

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access