In The Theology of the Oral Torah Neusner crafts the central conceptions of rabbinic Judaism into a rigorous, coherent argument by setting forth four cogent principles: that God formed creation in accord with a plan which the Torah reveals; that the perfection of creation is signified by the conformity of human affairs to a few enduring paradigms that transcend change; that Israel's condition, public and personal, is indicative of flaws in creation; and that God will ultimately restore the perfection embodied in his plan for creation. A masterful and original construction of theology of rabbinic Judaism, Neusner's story of the Oral Torah is also remarkably familiar - the emphasis is still on man's sin and God's response, God's justice and mercy, and the human mirroring of God through the possession of the power of will. The Theology of the Oral Torah is part of Neusner's ongoing major project - the construction of theology of rabbinic Judaism - a project which rivals in its scope that of the great Maimonides or, in Christian theology, that of Thomas Aquinas's Summa.

Jacob Neusner is Distinguished Service Professor of the History and Theology of Judaism and Senior Fellow, Institute of Advanced Theology, Bard College.

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