The unbinding of Isaac : a phenomenological midrash of Genesis 22

In
The Unbinding of Isaac, Stephen J. Stern upends traditional
understandings of this controversial narrative through a
phenomenological midrash or interpretation of Genesis 22 from the
Dialogic and Jewish philosophies of Franz Rosenzweig, Martin Buber, and,
most notably, Emmanuel Levinas. With great originality, Dr. Stern
intersects Jewish studies, Biblical studies, and philosophy in a
literary/midrashic style that challenges traditional Western
philosophical epistemology. Through the biblical narrative of Abraham,
Sarah, Isaac, and Rebecca, Dr. Stern explains that Rosenzweig, Buber,
and Levinas Judaically exercise and offer an alternative epistemic
orientation to the study of ethics than that of traditional Western or
Hellenic-Christian philosophy.
The Unbinding of Isaac makes the works of these three thinkers
accessible to those outside philosophy and Jewish studies while also
introducing readers to the playfulness of how Jewish tradition
midrashically addresses the Bible.

Stephen J. Stern is Associate Professor of Religious and Judaic Studies
and Affiliate of the Department of Philosophy at Gettysburg College. He
is also the Director of Judaic Studies and Chair of the Department of
Religious Studies. Dr. Stern received his Ph.D. in philosophy at the
University of Oregon.