Between Halle and Jerusalem

Abstract

Fackenheim believed that the modern state of Israel stood as the greatest act of resistance, and he had to physically, as well as emotionally and intellectually, live there. However, Fackenheim's philosophic legacy might best be illuminated not in terms of his movement from Halle to Jerusalem, but as an expression of his relationship with that community in which he lived during the time between. This chapter explores relationship of Fackenheim's work as a philosopher to the North American Jewish community, especially in the context of community's strong suspicion of modern Jewish philosophy. Fackenheim continued to write and to speak as a Jewish philosopher, despite the overall situation. There is an intricate tie between the philosophical work of Fackenheim and the feelings, hopes and fears of the North American Jewish Community. A dimension of Fackenheim's work somewhat less well known concerns his treatment of the encounter between Jewish faith and modernity. Keywords: Fackenheim's philosophic legacy; Halle; Jerusalem; Jewish philosopher; modernity; North American Jewish community