Tag Archives: Max Weber

(Polar Night) Israel Elections 2022 (Max Weber)

Posted on November 2, 2022 by zjb

Thinking about “politics as a vocation” and these closing lines by Max Weber in reponse to the elections in Israel and to the rise of ethno- and ethno-theofascists both there and here in the United States. Weber recommends himself today … Continue reading →

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The Unsearchable Human Heart Of Government (Shabbat 11a)

Posted on March 18, 2020 by zjb

In line with the Book of Proverbs and the vast scope of responsibility, the rabbis about government and the political heart were Weberian in their practical realism and bleak view of things. Michael Satlow posted on FB this beautiful gemara, … Continue reading →

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Scholarship, Activism, & Jews Who Tarry (Max Weber)

Posted on November 29, 2017 by zjb

After so many years, the conclusion of Max Weber’s “Science as a Vocation” still has the power to bring up short a Jewish reader. Writing against armchair prophets, the main thesis of the essay is to draw a bright red … Continue reading →

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The Virtue of Meaningless Bourgeois Religion (Ancient Judaism) (Max Weber)

Posted on November 22, 2017 by zjb

“Meaning” can sometimes seem like it is all the rage around some corners of the contemporary Jewish discourse, particularly in relation to religion and ritual. “Have a meaningful fast.” “What is the meaning of life?” “The synagogue seems to so … Continue reading →

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On Zionists & Jews, Communal & Associative Relationships (Max Weber)

Posted on October 23, 2017 by zjb

Working through the “Basic Sociological Terms” in Max Weber’s masterpiece, Economy and Society is this little point of interest regarding the difference between Communal and  Associative Relationships with a special reference to Zionists and Jews. As defined by Weber, the ideal … Continue reading →

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“Politics” (~Religion)

Posted on February 2, 2014 by zjb

Driven sometimes by ideas and pictures, but not necessarily, by “politics” I would mean rather the crude and rough, on the ground, and grubby jostling for and distribution of status and position, authority and power in the organization of society … Continue reading →

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