Communings of the Spirit, Volume III

This volume of Communings of the Spirit reveals Kaplan's reflections on Jewish identity amid historical upheaval and personal evolution.

In Communings of the Spirit, Volume III, readers delve into the profound reflections of Mordecai M. Kaplan during a tumultuous decade. This volume captures his horror at the persecution faced by European Jews while simultaneously celebrating the establishment of the State of Israel. Kaplan's writings reveal his deep concern for the survival and welfare of the Jewish people, highlighting his belief that their well-being is inherently linked to the safety of all humanity. His poignant assertion, Such is the mutuality of human life that none can be saved, unless all are saved, resonates throughout his work.

The first two volumes of Communings of the Spirit set the stage for this exploration, detailing Kaplan's early years as a rabbi and the economic challenges of the 1930s that devastated the Jewish community. In this third volume, Kaplan's spiritual and intellectual evolution during the 1940s is meticulously chronicled. With honesty and vivid detail, he navigates his beliefs surrounding democratic Judaism and religious naturalism, while grappling with the conflicts and self-doubts that arose during this period, including his excommunication by the ultra-Orthodox in 1945.

Kaplan's publications reflect his desire to modernize Jewish thought, moving away from traditional concepts of chosen-ness and resurrection. He sought to create a prayer book that resonated with contemporary Jewish experiences, emphasizing authenticity in prayer. His complex character and progressive ideas make Communings of the Spirit, Volume III a significant contribution to the understanding of American Jewish thought and identity.