Rabbi Haim Rechnitzer, Ph.D.

Books:

• Ars-prophetica: Theology in the Poetry of 20th Century Israeli Poets Avraham Halfi, Shin Shalom, Amir Gilboa and T. Carmi, Cincinnati: Hebrew Union College Press (2023), click here.
• תמונות / רפרודוקציות    –  Pictures / Reproductions  (bilingual, Hebrew-English poems), Jerusalem: Carmel & Yediot Aharonot Publishing House (Dec. 2022). For the Book Event at the Klau, click here.
• נבואה והסדר המדיני המושלם: התיאולוגיה המדינית של ליאו שטראוס (Prophecy and the Perfect Political Order: The Political Theology of Leo Strauss), Jerusalem: Mosad Bialik (2012)

• משירי הגלות השלישית (Songs of the Third Exile) Jerusalem: Carmel Publishing House (poems) (2014). For the book event (in Hebrew) click here – Prof. Dor presentation.

• שִבֹּלֶת (Vortex) Jerusalem: Carmel Publishing House (2015) (poems)

Articles & Book Chapters:

• “From Words to Sounds – The singing of Piyyut as a Pedagogical Paradigm in Teaching Jewish Thought.” Rosnak Avinoam. and Eli Holzer eds. (forthcoming)
• “Zionism, Post-Zionism and the Crisis of Modernity: between Leo Strauss and Eliezer Schweid.” (Hebrew) The Philosophy of Eliezer Schweid: Jewish Culture and Universal Perspective (eds.) Terner Yossi and Yehoyada Amir, Jerusalem: Carmel, (2020) pp. 251-179.
• “The Return of King Saul as a Messiah: Theo-political Heresy in Amir Gilboa’s Poetry.” Israel: Studies in Zionism and the State of Israel-History, Society and Culture 25, (2018) pp. 91-108.
• “Let the Other be Me – The Theo-Political Predicament and the Arab in Shin Shalom’s Early Writings.” CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 20.1, (2018). pp. 1-10
• “To be a Post-Nationalist Zionist – a Theo-Political Perspective,” in Fragile Dialogue: The New Voices of Liberal Zionism, Stanley M. Davids & Englander Larry eds. CCAR Press, (2017) 
• “When Joseph Met Zuleika – The Theo-Political Underpinning of ‘Joseph’ in Avraham Shlonsky’s Ba-galgal and its Critique of the Ḥalutz Ethos.” Journal of Modern Jewish Studies. (February 2016). pp. 1-16.
• “From Honolulu to Tel Aviv Via Mt. Gilboa: The Rise and Fall of Shlonsky’s Messianic Halutz” Hebrew Studies 55, (2014). pp. 261-285.
• “The Reform Zionist Theology at the Turn of the 20th Century.” (Hebrew) in Reform Judaism: Thought, Culture and Sociology, ed. Avinoam Rosnak, Tel-Aviv: Van-Leer Institute& Hakibbuts Hameuchad, (2014). pp. 72-91.
• “The Evolution of the Term Talmud Torah in the Reform Prayer Books and Platforms During the Last Three Decades.” Haim O. Rechnitzer & Jonathan Cohen (Hebrew) in Reform Judaism: Thought, Culture and Sociology, ed. Avinoam Rosnak, Tel-Aviv: Van-Leer Institute & Hakibbuts Hameuchad, (2014). pp. 347-367.
• “The Reins of Freedom: on Religion and State in Israel Today.” in Dror, ed. Liora Ezrahi-Vered and Mirah Hovav et al, Jerusalem: The Progressive Movement in Israel, (2014). pp. 88-91.
•  “To See God in His Beauty’: Abraham Chalfi and the Mystical Quest for the Evasive God.” Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, issue 10 vol. 2. (2012). pp. 383-400.
• “Hobbes, Maimonides, Healthcare Reform and Tzelem Elohim: The Political Theology of Universal Health Care.” CCAR Journal, (Winter 2010). pp. 104-109.
• “Theological and Pedagogical Implications of the Role of Zionism in Reform Jewish Manifestos: A Bridge from Vision to Praxis.” Haim O. Rechnitzer & Gabriela Brandes-Minnes, The Journal of Jewish Education. 75 (2009). pp. 329-349.
• “The Political Theology of Leo Strauss.” (Hebrew) in God Will Not Stand Still: Jewish Modernity and Political Theology, ed. Christoph Schmidt, Tel-Aviv: Van-Leer and Hakibbutz Hameuchad, (2009). 70-102.
• “Toward a Trans-Liberal Romanticism: The Case of A. E. Simon.” (Hebrew) in Modes of Educational Translation: Studies in Jewish Education Vol.13, ed. Jonathan Cohen & Eli Holzer, Jerusalem: Magnes Press, (2009). pp. 71-100.
• “Judaism and the Idea of the Law: Leo Strauss and Yeshayahu Leibowitz’ Philosophical and Ideological Interpretation of Maimonides.” Hebrew Union College Annual, 79 (2008). pp. 165-191.
• “Haim Guri and Rabbi David Buzaglo: A Theo-Political Meeting Place of Zionist Sabra Poetry and Jewish Liturgy.” The Journal for the Study of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewry Vol. 2, n. 1 (Summer 2008), pp. 37-62. http://sephardic.fiu.edu/journal/JSSMJinsidecover.htm 
• “Redemptive Theology in the Thought of Yeshayahu Leibowitz,” Israel Studies Vol. 13,3 (2008). pp. 137-159.
• “Tell Me What Your Questions Are and I will Tell You Who You Are: Some Reflections on the ‘Proposed Taxonomy for a Twenty-First-Century Theology of Reform Zionism’ by S. M. Davids.” CCAR Journal (Summer 2008). pp. 29-37.
• “The Journey Towards the Birth of Modern Liberalism: Leo Strauss’s Hobbes.” in The Young Leo Strauss, ed. Eugene Sheppard & Pierre Bouretz, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, [forthcoming]
• “Maimonides’ Messianism: Between Personal Salvation and Public Responsibility.” in Gog U’Magog, ed. David A. Yoel, Moti Inbari, Yoram Mazor and Maya Leibowitz, Tel Aviv: Yediot Ha’Ahronot Press, (2002). pp. 38-57.

Book Review:

• “Sound Tracks: The Ashkenazi Orient Express.” A Review of Miryam Segal, A New Sound in Hebrew Poetry: Poetic, Politics, Accent, Bloomington-Indianapolis, Indiana University Press, 2010. (H-Judaic, December 2011) http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=34420

OTHER PUBLICATIONS (recent years):

• “Is There a Doctor in the House? – Yavneh Here and Now.” Scriptions: Jewish Thought & Responses to Covid-19 – Theological Responses to Current Situation and its Implications.(2021)
• “And Where Do We Stand? Ezekiel’s Vision and the Reform Rabbinate – A Commentary on Emor Torah portion, The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (Hebrew) (2019) http://tinyw.in/KnMk 
• “A Word in Favor of “Golden Calves” – A Commentary on Ki Tisa Torah portion, The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (Hebrew) (2019) https://goo.gl/gURtby 
• “But I will Harden Pharaoh’s Heart,” A commentary on Va’era Torah portion,” in Drishat Shalom – Torah Commentary by Israeli Reform Rabbis, Tamar Duvdevani & Lisitsa Alona eds., Tel Aviv, Hakibbutz Hameuchad-Sifriat Poalim, (2018) pp. 127-130.
• “But you Shall Keep My Shabbat,” A commentary on Torah portion Ki Tisah,” in Drishat Shalom – Torah Commentary by Israeli Reform Rabbis, Tamar Duvdevani & Lisitsa Alona eds., Tel Aviv, Hakibbutz Hameuchad-Sifriat Poalim, (2018) pp. 173-180.
• “Where the Spies’ Sinners? A commentary on Shelach LEchah Torah portion,” in Drishat Shalom – Torah Commentary by Israeli Reform Rabbis, Tamar Duvdevani & Lisitsa Alona eds., Tel Aviv, Hakibbutz Hameuchad-Sifriat Poalim, (2018) pp. 273-276.
• “But Where can Poetry be Found; Where is the Source of Song? Ap. 273-276. commentary on Ha’azinu Torah portion,” The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (Hebrew) (2018) https://goo.gl/uUaAJ8 
• “Between Muse and Law, Words and Worlds: a commentary on Bamidbar Torah portion,” The Israeli Reform Movement Publication  (Hebrew) (2018) https://goo.gl/JPVP9h 
• “On Eros, Lust and Worship – Introduction to the Golden Calf: a commentary on Mishpatim Torah Portion,” The Israeli Reform Movement Publication  (Hebrew) (2018) https://goo.gl/jYvwqF 
• “Things that You See from Afar – On Joseph’s Naïve Question: commentary on Vayigash Torah portion, “The Israeli Reform Movement Publication  (Hebrew) (2018) https://goo.gl/UwcL6C 
• “Freedom within a Closed Canon,” A commentary on Matot-Masei Torah portion (English) People and the Boom (column), The Jerusalem Report, (July, 24 2017) https://goo.gl/aFSYAS 
• “On the Zionist Project and the Temple’s Place – A commentary on Behar-Beḥukotai Torah Portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication https://goo.gl/nWfH8j (2017).
• “The wellspring of silences: A commentary on Chyei Sarah Torah portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication https://goo.gl/bgSTvC (2016)
• “A Return through Love? – A Commentary on Vayelekh Torah Portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication https://goo.gl/k0yi9E (2016)
• Between Lust to Last – Passion and Spiritual Ascent, A Commentary on Ki Tetzeh Torah Portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication https://goo.gl/rhsDwR (2016).
• “The Secrets of Masa: on the root N.S.A as a leitmotif – A commentary on Naso Torah portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/ANPS5Y (2016).
• “Reversed History and the Path Towards Redemption – A Commentary on Vayakhel Torah portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement http://goo.gl/3y1dSI (2016).
• “On Jethro and Melancholy of Sinai – A Commentary on Jethro Torah Portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/j4l22W (2015).
• “The Land Beyond the Mountains: A Commentary on Ki Tavo Torah Portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/qwaBNm (2015).
• “From a Dream to Prophecy – Pharaoh and Joseph” – A Commentary on Miketz Torah portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/STPSzN (2015).
• “Canaan as a Physiological Topography – A commentary: Torah Portion Matot Torah portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/uHZKig (2015).
• “Zionism and The Theology of Punishment and Reward in the Deuteronomy – A Commentary on Torah Portion Eikev” (Hebrew), The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/dlKAvr (2015).
• “’With a Mighty Hand’- A Theo-Political Commentary on Beshalach Torah Portion,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/vU5oSc (2015).
• “Priestly Ceremony and the Construction of collective Memory – A Sermon for Yom HaShoah –Shemini Torah Portion,” (Hebrew), The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/mOhLwn (2015).
• Exodus as a Spiritual Redemption – A Commentary on Bo,” (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication http://goo.gl/IxYghE (2015).
• “I Will Harden Pharaoh’s Heart – A Commentary on  Va-Eira Torah Portion,” The Israeli Reform Movement Publication, http://goo.gl/E3iEIu (2014).
• “The Mystical Mystery Tour – the stage is set for the final battle between the mystical mode and the magical one – A Commentary on Balak Torah Portion,” People and the Boom (column), The Jerusalem Report, (July 14th, 2014). https://goo.gl/wRvz2x
• “Unconditional Love – distinguishing between the love of God and the love of country – A Commentary on Va’etchanan Torah Portion, People and the Boom (column) The Jerusalem Report, (July 29th, 2013). http://goo.gl/sl2fnM
• “The Cloud of Hersey Hovers Above the Ark – A Commentary on the Torah Portion Ki Tisa” (Exodus, 30:11-34:35). (a book chapter, forthcoming, HaKibutz HaMeuchad Press, 2017).
• “Hebrew Poetry as a Wellspring of Theological Renewal,” The Chronicle: a Publication of Hebrew Union College-Jewish institute of religion, Fall 2012, p.12.  https://goo.gl/wdIKyt 
• “In the Summer of 1980,” in Ask the rabbis – How Should Jews Treat Their Arab Neighbors? Moment Magazine, (May-June 2009). http://goo.gl/euU4EV
• ‘Introduction,”; “Viduy (confession),” in The Way of Mourning: A Guide to the Rabbi and to the Lay Person, Janine Wosberg ed. (Jerusalem: The Center for Jewish Pluralism and the Israeli Reform Movement, 2005). 
• “Alternative Kaddish,” in The Way of Mourning: A Guide to the Rabbi and to the Lay Person, Janine Wosberg ed. (Jerusalem: The Center for Jewish Pluralism and the Israeli Reform Movement, 2005). 

Jewish Mysticism From Theory to Practice

Hebrew Poetry and Mysticism

New Trends in Israeli Music – from universalism to appropriation of mythical past

Political Theology and the Jewish State

The Limits of Tolerance and Liberal Political Philosophy

Modes of Translation from Jewish Thought to Jewish Education

Introduction to Medieval Jewish Thought

Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought

Jewish Mysticism from Heikhalot Literature to Safed Kabbalah

Hassidism

Ph.D., Department of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 2003. Title: Leo Straus and the theological political predicament

M.A. in Jewish Letters, HUC-JIR, 2003

Rabbinical Ordination, HUC-JIR/Jerusalem, 2003

M.A. (with distinction), Department of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1996

B.A. (with distinction), Department Jewish Thought, Minor in Philosophy and Christian Religion, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1993