by Joshua Golding
Published by Urim Fiction / Urim Publications
Hardcover, 528 pages
ISBN 13: 978-965-524-066-5
publication: 2011
David Goldstein is a fairly typical Jewish
American college student. All he really knows
about his Jewish identity is that he’s expected to
marry a Jewish girl and that the State of Israel is
important, but that’s about it.
In his freshman year he develops a passionate
interest not only in a beautiful and brainy non-
Jewish coed, but also in some of the major
philosophical questions. Is the purpose of life
just to seek pleasure? Is there an objectively
good way to live one’s life?
In his sophomore year, as his romantic life
takes several twists and turns, David delves into
Judaism and the philosophy of religion. Is the
belief in God rational or is it a matter of faith?
If there is a God, why is there evil and suffering
in the world? How do Jewish teachings differ
from Eastern mystical religions? Why don’t Jews
accept Christianity? Soon, a disturbing personal
event in his life propels him toward even deeper
reflection.
In his junior year, a chance meeting draws
him into the study of Jewish mysticism and
Kabbalah. Finally, in his senior year, he charts
his own path and comes to a conclusion that
will shape his life forever.
David’s four-year journey takes him through
a series of conversations with rabbis and
professors, bull sessions with friends, emails,
phone calls, letters, journal entries, exams,
term papers, lectures, and even a Talmud study
session. Follow David on this philosophical,
spiritual, and intensely personal quest as he
learns about God and Judaism – as well as a few
other things along the way.
About the author:
Joshua Golding is a professor of philosophy at Bellarmine University in Louisville,
Kentucky. He has held research positions at the University of Haifa
and at the University of Notre Dame and is the author of Rationality and
Religious Theism (Ashgate, 2003). He has published articles in Religious
Studies, Faith and Philosophy, Modern Schoolman, Tradition, and Torah
U-Madda Journal, and has rabbinical ordination. This is his first work of fiction.
Praise for The Conversation:
“Joshua Golding’s book brings to mind Judah Halevi’s Kuzari (for its spirited
and intelligent defense of traditionalist Judaism) and Samson Raphael
Hirsch’s Nineteen Letters (for its epistolary form). But unlike these earlier
polemics, this book is also an academically sound introduction to Jewish
philosophy. Most surprising, perhaps, given its attempt to both defend a
Jewish position and teach philosophy, the book is actually fun to read –
I really wanted to find out what eventually happened to the book’s two
central protagonists!”
–Menachem Kellner, Professor of Jewish Thought and author of Must
a Jew Believe Anything?, Maimonides’ Confrontation with Mysticism, and
Science in the Bet Midrash
“The Conversation is a rare combination of an intellectually engaging and enjoyable read. It enlivens various philosophical and religious positions, and then puts Judaism into an animated conversation with them. It's a kind of Chaim Potok meets Philosophy 101. The results are rich in narrative, tradition and ideas. It is also an excellent book for young adults and their parents to read at the same time, to stimulate discussion about important issues and challenges.”
-Faydra Shapiro, Associate Professor of Religion and Culture, and author of Building Jewish Roots (winner of the National Jewish Book Award)
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