91抖阴

Rabbi Haim Rechnitzer, Ph.D.

Professor of Jewish Thought

Contact Information

school/program: Pines School of Graduate Studies, Rabbinical School (US)
academic field: Israel Studies, Jewish Language and Literature, Philosophy/Theology
campus: Cincinnati
email: hrechnitzer@huc.edu
phone: (513) 487-3267
website: ,

Rabbi Dr. Haim O. Rechnitzer is Professor of Jewish Thought at 91抖阴/Cincinnati and a poet. He earned his doctorate at the Hebrew University, and his rabbinical ordination from 91抖阴/Jerusalem in 2003. His research is dedicated to themes of political theology, theological trends in Hebrew poetry, Israeli theology, and Jewish education. Recent books include Prophecy and the Perfect Political Order: The Political Theology of Leo Strauss and two volumes of poetry; Songs of the Third Exile and Shibolet (Vortex). His forthcoming books are Ars-Prophetica: Theology in the Poetry of 20th Century Israeli Poets Avraham 岣lfi, Shin Shalom, Amir Gilboa and T. Carmi (91抖阴 Press, Cincinnati) and a bilingual (Hebrew-English) poetry book Pictures / Reproductions (Carmel, Jerusalem 2022). He has published papers and lectured on political theology, philosophy of education, the renaissance of Piyyut (Jewish religious hymns), and modern Hebrew poetry. Previously Rabbi Dr. Rechnitzer taught in several academic institutions in Israel and was on the faculty of the Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania.

Books:

  • Ars-prophetica: Theology in the Poetry of 20th Century Israeli Poets Avraham Halfi, Shin Shalom, Amir Gilboa and T. Carmi, Cincinnati: 91抖阴 Press (2023), .
  • 转诪讜谞讜转 / 专驻专讜讚讜拽爪讬讜转 听听听– 听Pictures / Reproductions听 (bilingual, Hebrew-English poems), Jerusalem: Carmel & Yediot Aharonot Publishing House (Dec. 2022). For the Book Event at the Klau,
  • 谞讘讜讗讛 讜讛住讚专 讛诪讚讬谞讬 讛诪讜砖诇诐: 讛转讬讗讜诇讜讙讬讛 讛诪讚讬谞讬转 砖诇 诇讬讗讜 砖讟专讗讜住 (Prophecy and the Perfect Political Order: The Political Theology of Leo Strauss), Jerusalem: Mosad Bialik (2012)
  • 诪砖讬专讬 讛讙诇讜转 讛砖诇讬砖讬转 (Songs of the Third Exile) Jerusalem: Carmel Publishing House (poems) (2014). For the book event (in Hebrew) 鈥 Prof. Dor presentation.
  • 砖执讘旨止诇侄转 (Vortex) Jerusalem: Carmel Publishing House (2015) (poems)

Articles & Book Chapters:

  • “From Words to Sounds 鈥 The singing of Piyyut as a Pedagogical Paradigm in Teaching Jewish Thought.” Rosnak Avinoam. and Eli Holzer eds. (forthcoming)
  • 鈥淶ionism, Post-Zionism and the Crisis of Modernity: between Leo Strauss and Eliezer Schweid.鈥 (Hebrew) The Philosophy of Eliezer Schweid: Jewish Culture and Universal Perspective (eds.) Terner Yossi and Yehoyada Amir, Jerusalem: Carmel, (2020) pp. 251-179.
  • 鈥淭he Return of King Saul as a Messiah: Theo-political Heresy in Amir Gilboa鈥檚 Poetry.鈥 Israel: Studies in Zionism and the State of Israel-History, Society and Culture 25, (2018) pp. 91-108.
  • 鈥淟et the Other be Me 鈥 The Theo-Political Predicament and the Arab in Shin Shalom鈥檚 Early Writings.鈥 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture听20.1, (2018). pp. 1-10
  • 鈥淭o be a Post-Nationalist Zionist 鈥 a Theo-Political Perspective,鈥 in Fragile Dialogue: The New Voices of Liberal Zionism, Stanley M. Davids听& Englander Larry eds. CCAR Press, (2017)听
  • 鈥淲hen Joseph Met Zuleika 鈥 The Theo-Political Underpinning of ‘Joseph’ in Avraham Shlonsky鈥檚 Ba-galgal and its Critique of the 岣lutz Ethos.鈥 Journal of Modern Jewish Studies. (February 2016). pp. 1-16.
  • From Honolulu to Tel Aviv Via Mt. Gilboa: The Rise and Fall of Shlonsky鈥檚 Messianic听HalutzHebrew Studies 55, (2014). pp. 261-285.
  • “The Reform Zionist Theology at the Turn of the 20th Century.” (Hebrew) in Reform Judaism: Thought, Culture and Sociology, ed. Avinoam Rosnak, Tel-Aviv: Van-Leer Institute& Hakibbuts Hameuchad, (2014). pp. 72-91.
  • “The Evolution of the Term Talmud Torah in the Reform Prayer Books and Platforms During the Last Three Decades.” Haim O. Rechnitzer & Jonathan Cohen (Hebrew) in Reform Judaism: Thought, Culture and Sociology, ed. Avinoam Rosnak, Tel-Aviv: Van-Leer Institute & Hakibbuts Hameuchad, (2014). pp. 347-367.
  • 鈥淭he Reins of Freedom: on Religion and State in Israel Today.鈥 in Dror, ed. Liora Ezrahi-Vered and Mirah Hovav et al, Jerusalem: The Progressive Movement in Israel, (2014). pp. 88-91.
  • 听鈥淭o See God in His Beauty’: Abraham Chalfi and the Mystical Quest for the Evasive God.鈥 Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, issue 10 vol. 2. (2012). pp. 383-400.
  • 鈥淗obbes, Maimonides, Healthcare Reform and Tzelem Elohim: The Political Theology of Universal Health Care.鈥 CCAR Journal, (Winter 2010). pp. 104-109.
  • 鈥淭heological and Pedagogical Implications of the Role of Zionism in Reform Jewish Manifestos: A Bridge from Vision to Praxis.” Haim O. Rechnitzer & Gabriela Brandes-Minnes, The Journal of Jewish Education. 75 (2009). pp. 329-349.
  • “The Political Theology of Leo Strauss.” (Hebrew) in God Will Not Stand Still: Jewish Modernity and Political Theology, ed. Christoph Schmidt, Tel-Aviv: Van-Leer and Hakibbutz Hameuchad, (2009). 70-102.
  • “Toward a Trans-Liberal Romanticism: The Case of A. E. Simon.” (Hebrew) in Modes of Educational Translation: Studies in Jewish Education Vol.13, ed. Jonathan Cohen & Eli Holzer, Jerusalem: Magnes Press, (2009). pp. 71-100.
  • 鈥淛udaism and the Idea of the Law: Leo Strauss and Yeshayahu Leibowitz鈥 Philosophical and Ideological Interpretation of Maimonides.鈥 91抖阴 Annual, 79 (2008). pp. 165-191.
  • “Haim Guri and Rabbi David Buzaglo: A Theo-Political Meeting Place of Zionist Sabra Poetry and Jewish Liturgy.” The Journal for the Study of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewry Vol. 2, n. 1 (Summer 2008), pp. 37-62.
  • “Redemptive Theology in the Thought of Yeshayahu Leibowitz,” Israel Studies Vol. 13,3 (2008). pp. 137-159.
  • “Tell Me What Your Questions Are and I will Tell You Who You Are: Some Reflections on the ‘Proposed Taxonomy for a Twenty-First-Century Theology of Reform Zionism’ by S. M. Davids.” CCAR Journal (Summer 2008). pp. 29-37.
  • “The Journey Towards the Birth of Modern Liberalism: Leo Strauss’s Hobbes.” in The Young Leo Strauss, ed. Eugene Sheppard & Pierre Bouretz, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, [forthcoming]
  • “Maimonides’ Messianism: Between Personal Salvation and Public Responsibility.” in Gog U’Magog, ed. David A. Yoel, Moti Inbari, Yoram Mazor and Maya Leibowitz, Tel Aviv: Yediot Ha’Ahronot Press, (2002). pp. 38-57.

Book Review:

  • 鈥淪ound Tracks: The Ashkenazi Orient Express.鈥 A Review of Miryam Segal, A New Sound in Hebrew Poetry: Poetic, Politics, Accent, Bloomington-Indianapolis, Indiana University Press, 2010. (H-Judaic, December 2011)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS (recent years):

  • Scriptions: Jewish Thought & Responses to Covid-19 鈥 Theological Responses to Current Situation and its Implications.(2021)
  • 鈥淎nd Where Do We Stand? Ezekiel鈥檚 Vision and the Reform Rabbinate 鈥 A Commentary on Emor Torah portion, The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (Hebrew) (2019)
  • 鈥淎 Word in Favor of 鈥淕olden Calves鈥 鈥 A Commentary on Ki Tisa Torah portion, The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (Hebrew) (2019)
  • 鈥淏ut I will Harden Pharaoh鈥檚 Heart,鈥 A commentary on 痴补鈥檈谤补 Torah portion,鈥 in Drishat Shalom 鈥 Torah Commentary by Israeli Reform Rabbis, Tamar Duvdevani & Lisitsa Alona eds., Tel Aviv, Hakibbutz Hameuchad-Sifriat Poalim, (2018) pp. 127-130.
  • 鈥淏ut you Shall Keep My Shabbat,鈥 A commentary on Torah portion Ki Tisah,鈥 in Drishat Shalom 鈥 Torah Commentary by Israeli Reform Rabbis, Tamar Duvdevani & Lisitsa Alona eds., Tel Aviv, Hakibbutz Hameuchad-Sifriat Poalim, (2018) pp. 173-180.
  • 鈥淲here the Spies鈥 Sinners? A commentary on Shelach LEchah Torah portion,鈥 in Drishat Shalom 鈥 Torah Commentary by Israeli Reform Rabbis, Tamar Duvdevani & Lisitsa Alona eds., Tel Aviv, Hakibbutz Hameuchad-Sifriat Poalim, (2018) pp. 273-276.
  • 鈥淏ut Where can Poetry be Found; Where is the Source of Song? Ap. 273-276. commentary on 贬补鈥檃锄颈苍耻 Torah portion,鈥 The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (Hebrew) (2018)
  • 鈥淏etween Muse and Law, Words and Worlds: a commentary on Bamidbar Torah portion,鈥 The Israeli Reform Movement Publication听 (Hebrew) (2018)
  • 鈥淥n Eros, Lust and Worship 鈥 Introduction to the Golden Calf: a commentary on Mishpatim Torah Portion,鈥 The Israeli Reform Movement Publication听 (Hebrew) (2018)
  • 鈥淭hings that You See from Afar 鈥 On Joseph鈥檚 Na茂ve Question: commentary on Vayigash Torah portion, 鈥The Israeli Reform Movement Publication听 (Hebrew) (2018)
  • 鈥淔reedom within a Closed Canon,鈥 A commentary on Matot-Masei Torah portion (English) People and the Boom (column), The Jerusalem Report, (July, 24 2017)
  • 鈥淥n the Zionist Project and the Temple鈥檚 Place 鈥 A commentary on 叠别丑补谤-叠别岣办辞迟补颈 Torah Portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2017).
  • 鈥淭he wellspring of silences: A commentary on Chyei Sarah Torah portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2016)
  • 鈥淎 Return through Love? 鈥 A Commentary on Vayelekh Torah Portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2016)
  • Between Lust to Last 鈥 Passion and Spiritual Ascent, A Commentary on Ki Tetzeh Torah Portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2016).
  • 鈥淭he Secrets of Masa: on the root N.S.A as a leitmotif 鈥 A commentary on Naso Torah portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2016).
  • 鈥淩eversed History and the Path Towards Redemption 鈥 A Commentary on Vayakhel Torah portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement (2016).
  • 鈥淥n Jethro and Melancholy of Sinai 鈥 A Commentary on Jethro Torah Portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • 鈥淭he Land Beyond the Mountains: A Commentary on Ki Tavo Torah Portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • 鈥淔rom a Dream to Prophecy 鈥 Pharaoh and Joseph鈥 鈥 A Commentary on Miketz Torah portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • Canaan as a Physiological Topography 鈥 A commentary: Torah Portion Matot Torah portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • 鈥淶ionism and The Theology of Punishment and Reward in the Deuteronomy 鈥 A Commentary on Torah Portion 贰颈办别惫鈥 (Hebrew), The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • 鈥溾橶ith a Mighty Hand鈥- A Theo-Political Commentary on Beshalach Torah Portion,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • 鈥淧riestly Ceremony and the Construction of collective Memory 鈥 A Sermon for Yom HaShoah 鈥Shemini Torah Portion,鈥 (Hebrew), The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • Exodus as a Spiritual Redemption 鈥 A Commentary on Bo,鈥 (Hebrew) The Israeli Reform Movement Publication (2015).
  • 鈥淚 Will Harden Pharaoh鈥檚 Heart 鈥 A Commentary on听 Va-Eira Torah Portion,鈥 The Israeli Reform Movement Publication, (2014).
  • 鈥淭he Mystical Mystery Tour 鈥 the stage is set for the final battle between the mystical mode and the magical one 鈥 A Commentary on Balak Torah Portion,鈥 People and the Boom (column), The Jerusalem Report, (July 14th, 2014).
  • 鈥淯nconditional Love 鈥 distinguishing between the love of God and the love of country 鈥 A Commentary on 痴补鈥檈迟肠丑补苍补苍 Torah Portion, People and the Boom (column) The Jerusalem Report, (July 29th, 2013).
  • 鈥淭he Cloud of Hersey Hovers Above the Ark 鈥 A Commentary on the Torah Portion Ki Tisa鈥 (Exodus, 30:11-34:35). (a book chapter, forthcoming, HaKibutz HaMeuchad Press, 2017).
  • 鈥淗ebrew Poetry as a Wellspring of Theological Renewal,鈥 The Chronicle: a Publication of 91抖阴-Jewish institute of religion, Fall 2012, p.12. 听https://goo.gl/wdIKyt听
  • 鈥淚n the Summer of 1980,鈥 in Ask the rabbis – How Should Jews Treat Their Arab Neighbors? Moment Magazine, (May-June 2009).
  • 鈥業ntroduction,鈥; 鈥淰iduy (confession),鈥 in The Way of Mourning: A Guide to the Rabbi and to the Lay Person, Janine Wosberg ed. (Jerusalem: The Center for Jewish Pluralism and the Israeli Reform Movement, 2005).听
  • 鈥淎lternative Kaddish,鈥 in The Way of Mourning: A Guide to the Rabbi and to the Lay Person, Janine Wosberg ed. (Jerusalem: The Center for Jewish Pluralism and the Israeli Reform Movement, 2005).听

Jewish Mysticism From Theory to Practice

Hebrew Poetry and Mysticism

New Trends in Israeli Music 鈥 from universalism to appropriation of mythical past

Political Theology and the Jewish State

The Limits of Tolerance and Liberal Political Philosophy

Modes of Translation from Jewish Thought to Jewish Education

Introduction to Medieval Jewish Thought

Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought

Jewish Mysticism from Heikhalot Literature to Safed Kabbalah

Hassidism

Ph.D., Department of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 2003. Title: Leo Straus and the theological political predicament

M.A. in Jewish Letters, HUC-JIR, 2003

Rabbinical Ordination, HUC-JIR/Jerusalem, 2003

M.A. (with distinction), Department of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1996

B.A. (with distinction), Department Jewish Thought, Minor in Philosophy and Christian Religion, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1993