Living in Relationship With The Other: God and Human Perfection in the Jewish Tradition -- Implications for Jewish Communal Professionals

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Author(s): David Hartman

Research Area: Culture and religion; Social conditions

Keywords: Jewish Organizations; Ethics; Jewish Text

Type: Report

Abstract:

The biblical ideal of perfection is rooted in relationship and interdependency, in contrast to the Greek conception of perfection as self-sufficiency. Our task as Jewish communal professionals is to create communities where people can fully develop the capacity to love and care for others. As Jews, we cannot reject the world but must live in relationship to it.