Goldstein demonstrates an extraordinary ability as she manages to pen an impeccably accurate historical and philosophical account of Spinoza's life and works. What's truly remarkable is that she achieves this while simultaneously making the entire narrative a complete page-turner. She skillfully weaves in snippets of her own upbringing, being a former orthodox Jew, with the life of Spinoza. This unique approach creates a captivating effect, making the reader feel as if they are engaged in a conversation with a highly intelligent and extremely knowledgeable friend. The result is a work that not only provides in-depth insights into Spinoza's ideas and contributions but also offers a personal and relatable perspective. Goldstein's writing style is engaging, her research is thorough, and her ability to blend the personal and the historical is truly masterful.

Jewish history is a rich and complex tapestry that dates back thousands of years.

It is filled with stories of persecution, exile, and survival.

The Jewish people have faced numerous challenges throughout their history, yet they have managed to maintain their unique identity and traditions.

From the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah to the modern state of Israel, Jewish history has had a profound impact on the world.

It has influenced art, literature, philosophy, and religion.

While Spinoza's philosophy is also an important part of intellectual history, it is just one aspect of the broader Jewish experience.

Jewish history encompasses much more than just the ideas of one individual.

It is a story of a people, their struggles, and their achievements.

By studying Jewish history, we can gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish people and their contributions to civilization.

We can also learn valuable lessons about perseverance, faith, and the importance of community.

In conclusion, while Spinoza's philosophy is interesting and worthy of study, Jewish history offers a much more comprehensive and engaging look at the Jewish experience.

It is a subject that is both fascinating and relevant, and one that has much to teach us about ourselves and the world we live in.

She incorporates some personal experiences, which is irritating.

However, if you're interested in Spinoza (and you really should be! After all, the universe is the mind of God!), as well as the aftermath of the Inquisition and 17th century thought, well....

Spinoza's ideas were revolutionary for his time. His concept of the universe being the mind of God challenged the traditional religious and philosophical views.

The Inquisition, on the other hand, had a significant impact on intellectual freedom during that period.

Understanding the aftermath of the Inquisition helps us to see how ideas were suppressed and how thinkers like Spinoza had to navigate through a difficult intellectual landscape.

Exploring 17th century thought in general provides a broader context for understanding Spinoza's work and the challenges he faced.

Overall, while her inclusion of personal experiences may be irritating, there is still much to be gained from delving into the topics she presents.

The focus was on the relationship between Spinoza and his philosophy with Judaism.

At the beginning, until the middle of the book, it dealt with Jewish thought and philosophy, its symbols, the essence of the community, and even the identity crisis of the Jewish community after the Inquisition trials that made its identity vulnerable and affected by superficial factors and the Christian canon. And in the second half, Spinoza's religious philosophy manifested itself in his criticism of Judaism and the Torah - and religions in general - which led to his exclusion from the Jewish community.

The book is generally excellent. I liked the explanation of how Jewish thought was before and after the Inquisition trials. And also the author's justification for Spinoza's reasons for what he did.

((Perhaps I didn't do it justice or exaggerated it as I'm not yet deeply involved in philosophy))

This is a new subject for me, and it is truly a great book to commence with.

It is extremely easy to read, which makes the learning process a breeze. What's more, the author has included her own personal experiences within the pages of this book.

These real-life examples not only add authenticity but also make the content more engaging and relatable.

As I delved into the book, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the journey of exploring this new subject.

The combination of accessible language and personal anecdotes made it a pleasure to read.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in venturing into this particular subject area.

It serves as an excellent introduction and provides a solid foundation for further learning.

I look forward to continuing my exploration of this subject with the help of this wonderful book.

Professor Goldstein's work delves deeply into the life of Spinoza and offers valuable insights. She frequently presents her own perspective as a female with a Jewish upbringing and her experiences as a philosophy professor after leaving that cultural context.

As per the footnotes, she bases her work on early source materials. However, she also incorporates her own fictional musings at times. While this is sometimes evident, at other times it is only explained in the endnotes rather than in the main text where the attributions might more appropriately belong.

The book provides good background and insights into the root tales, offering a perspective from the orthodox and Kabbalist Jewish communities with their centuries-old traditions, as best explained by those who lived them. Like many others, it seems that Professor Goldstein found the answers and the culture in which she lived to be too confining. Her work points to some of her personal questions, which are shared by many others, about what it means to be a Jew.

Overall, it is an interesting book. It is recommended to start by reading Spinoza's Short Treatise and/or Tractus Theological Political for a better understanding.

**Title: Philosophy Talk: Spinoza**

Philosophy has always been a fascinating subject that delves into the deepest questions of existence, knowledge, and ethics. One philosopher who has made a significant impact is Spinoza. His ideas and theories have intrigued scholars and thinkers for centuries.

Baruch Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher who lived in the 17th century. He was known for his radical views and his attempt to reconcile reason and religion. Spinoza believed that everything in the universe is part of a single substance, which he called "God" or "Nature." This view challenged the traditional religious and philosophical beliefs of his time.

In his work, Spinoza explored various aspects of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. He argued that our understanding of the world should be based on reason and scientific knowledge, rather than on superstition or dogma. Spinoza also believed that we should strive for a life of virtue and happiness, which he thought could be achieved through the pursuit of knowledge and the love of God.

Overall, Spinoza's philosophy offers a unique perspective on the nature of reality and our place in it. His ideas continue to be studied and debated today, and they have had a profound influence on modern philosophy and thought.

https://www.kalw.org/post/philosophy-...

I have been a great admirer of Rebecca Goldstein and have devoured all her books. However, my love for Spinoza surpasses that. I firmly believe that she fails to truly understand what makes him so extraordinary. She seems unable to look beyond the preconceived notions and what she has heard about him.

Having dedicated my teaching and studying to Spinoza as the main subject matter, I am of the opinion that she has not fully comprehended the profound adoration Spinoza has for a God who defies all simple definitions. His concept of God is so complex and profound that it requires a deeper exploration and understanding.

Goldstein may have presented interesting perspectives in her works, but I feel that she has not delved deep enough into the essence of Spinoza's philosophy and his relationship with the divine. There is so much more to Spinoza than what meets the eye, and I hope that in the future, she or other scholars will be able to uncover the true depth and beauty of his ideas.

A wonderful mix of philosophy, history and personal experience, Betraying Spinoza does a fantastic job of unfolding the very private life of the philosopher.

The author masterfully weaves together the different aspects, presenting a comprehensive and engaging account.

Though I am generally unread in Philosophy, the book was rarely overwhelming in its dissection of Spinoza's theories. The explanations were clear and accessible, allowing even those without a deep knowledge of the subject to follow along.

My only caveat is that the author writes from a Jewish perspective. This gives the book a unique flavor and provides insights that might otherwise be overlooked. However, those without the same upbringing might have a hard time understanding such an idiosyncratic cultural view.

Despite this, Betraying Spinoza is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read that offers a fresh perspective on the life and work of this important philosopher.

I checked out a biography of Spinoza in anticipation of seeing the play New Jerusalem.

Betraying Spinoza is an extremely well-written work. Goldstein has a unique ability to interpret Spinoza's philosophy for lay readers who are willing to invest some effort.

Her writing is engaging and accessible, making complex philosophical concepts understandable.

The biography provides valuable insights into Spinoza's life and思想, shedding light on his beliefs and the context in which he developed his ideas.

By reading this biography, I was able to gain a deeper appreciation for Spinoza's philosophy and its significance.

I am now looking forward to seeing the play New Jerusalem with a better understanding of the man and his ideas.

I believe that Goldstein's work will enhance my experience of the play and allow me to engage more fully with the themes and issues it presents.

Overall, I would highly recommend Betraying Spinoza to anyone interested in philosophy or the life of Spinoza.

Goldstein describes the style of this book as a memoir. It effectively weaves together a biography of Spinoza, an introduction to his philosophy, an attempt to place it in the context of his times and his cultural history as a 17th-century Jew, and some personal reflections on her own introduction to him. What she does well is show how "The Ethics" is about finding a way to live well in the face of suffering. Stating Spinoza's propositions baldly isn't helpful as they lose impact without connections to his and our lives. She supplies these emotional connections by merging his propositions with other material.
For example, she humorously depicts how her Jewish school teacher warned against Spinoza's heretical teachings, then jumps to the arguments of "Analytic Philosophers" against reading metaphysics. In a later chapter, she explores Spinoza's ideas about personal identity through the experience of Spanish and Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition. She shows the choices and risks Spinoza faced in his rejection of and excommunication from the Jewish community, and that his philosophy was influenced by his Jewish identity.
These connections are not arbitrary or superficial. They impose on the reader a sense of the profound and immediate relevance of Spinoza's ideas. This is philosophy that grabs us. The quotes from "The Ethics" and other works further illustrate Spinoza's thoughts on death, religion, happiness, and the mystery of human suffering. Overall, Goldstein's work provides a rich and engaging exploration of Spinoza's life and philosophy.

This is truly one of the most outstanding and easily comprehensible books ever penned on Spinoza.

Rebecca Goldstein, who is not only a novelist but also a philosopher, brings together the very best qualities of both disciplines in her writing.

Her work on Spinoza is a masterful blend of the creative and the intellectual.

She manages to present complex philosophical ideas in a way that is engaging and understandable for a wide range of readers.

Whether you are a seasoned philosopher or someone with a passing interest in the subject, this book is sure to captivate and enlighten you.

It offers a unique perspective on Spinoza's life and thought, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of philosophy or the nature of human existence.

Overall, it is a remarkable achievement that showcases Goldstein's talents as both a writer and a thinker.