Shuva

Modern Jews tend to relate to the past through €œhistory,€ which relies on empirical demonstration and rational thought, rather than through €œmemory,€ which relies on the non-rational architectures of mythology. By now €œhistory€ has surpassed €œmemory€ as a means of relating to the past€"a development that falls short in building identity and creates disconnection between Jews and their collective history. Kurtzer seeks to mend this breach. Drawing on key classical texts, he shows that €œhistory€ and €œmemory€ are not exclusive and that the perceived dissonance between them can be healed by a selective reclamation of the past and a translation of that past into purposefulness.