A Burning World, an Absent God

Abstract

Psychological splitting, authoritarianism, literalism, and an emphasis on the direct experience of supernatural presence and mission—characteristics of fundamentalism—are on the rise. What are the practices and traditions that can be employed to oppose them? By studying and interpreting midrash, Jewish biblical commentary originating in late antiquity, the author explores this question. By researching both primary texts and secondary sources, he found that the process of midrashic study (1) is a good example of a hermeneutic tradition and (2) contains insights that can be applied to relational psychoanalysis and contemporary culture. In particular, four characteristics of midrash were identified: intertextuality, interpersonal engagement, the absence–presence dialectic, and the prohibition against idolatry. The author argues that midrashic study can serve as an extended argument against and resistance to fundamentalist movements. Finally, through the hermeneutic concept of dialogue, the author responds to a recent critique of his work.

Keywords:

• interpretation
• relational
• interpersonal
• hermeneutics
• fundamentalism
• idolatry
• Judaism