Kaplan’s Theory Of Jewish Civilization And Modernization Of Jewish Culture

This thesis is divided into four parts: introduction;the first part mainly discusses the construction of Jewish civilization by Kaplan with functionalism;the second part mainly discusses the innovation of Kaplan on God;the third part mainly discusses Kaplan’s denial on the traditional notion of chosen people in Judaism.The introduction explains the reasons and significance of the topic and a review of related researches.Kaplan’s ideas have an important role in the modernization of Jewish culture.Scholars at home and abroad have studied his ideas,but many of them are based on Kaplan’s point of view.For example,his civilization theory,Jewish community concept,etc.This paper also pays attention to the views of Kaplan’s civilization theory,but pays more attention to the structural relationship of various concepts within the Kaplan civilization theory.This thesis focuses not only on how Kaplan criticized tradition,but also how he established new ideas after criticizing tradition and constructed his theory with new ideas.The first chapter explores the characteristics of secularization and diversification of Kaplan’s thoughts,and how he used sociological thinking and valued functions and structures to reconstruct traditional Judaism and make Jewish religion a part of Jewish civilization.In this way,he incorporated the various Jewish denominations of that time into the Jewish civilization.The secularization and pluralism of Kaplan’s thoughts have caused controversy and criticism.This is just because his thoughts are more radical.In fact,these thoughts are in line with secular logic.And the characteristics of his thoughts also affected the development of the Reconstructionist.The sociological characteristics of Kaplan’s thoughts are first manifested in his emphasis on religious functions.He believes that the most important function of religion is to guarantee human salvation and promote human perfection.At that time,traditional Judaism was no longer suitable for modern life.Many Jews have difficulty maintaining their Jewish identity,adhering to their Jewish beliefs and integrating into modern life,and feel spiritually painful.Some Jews even gave up traditional religion.In order to enable the Jews to maintain Jewishness without being excluded from modernization,Kaplan put forward the view that Judaism is a civilization.Kaplan believes that Jewish religion is only a part of Jewish civilization,although it is certainly the most important part.There are other structures under the Jewish civilization,such as land,language,moral laws and folk customs,which are all important parts to ensure the vitality of the Jewish civilization.This opened the way for the Jews to maintain their own Jewishness.The second chapter is the reform of Kaplan’s concept of God.This chapter first explores how Kaplan extends the traditional concept of "belief in God".The traditional belief in God has its historical origins,and under different historical conditions,the way of faith in God is not static,and the observance of the commandments is not the same since ancient times.Kaplan believes that the traditional belief in God is no longer suitable for modern society,and he proposes a vague relationship between man and god.Although his vague relationship between man and god was criticized,it actually helped some people get out of their identity confusion.Secondly,Kaplan reconstructed the nature of God by rejecting supernatural things and Deuteronomistic History.Kaplan criticized the traditional concept of "miracle" and proposed a "miracle" that can be experienced and does not conflict with science.He used this to find a place for God in the field of nature.In order to deny the supernatural miracle,then the traditional deity of Deuteronomistic History will be denied.He believes that God is a collection of various values cherished by the Jews at various stages of history and the representative of the highest concern of the Jews at different times.Therefore,the nature of God can be changed in the new era to adapt to the modern spirit.The third chapter discusses how Kaplan reformed the traditional concept of the chosen people.This part first explores the significance of the concept of the chosen people to the Jews.The Jewish national concept has a sacred origin and is also mixed with worldly and simple emotions.The concept of the chosen people in Judaism also changed with history,and Zionism developed in the 19 th century.Kaplan put forward three reasons for rejecting the traditional chosen people of Judaism.The first is the change in the nature of God,which in turn triggered the change in the concept of the god-initiated nation,and the second is that Kaplan shows from a practical point of view that this notion is not good for the Jews.Finally,Kaplan proposed a solution,that is,to develop a democratic religion.This is the power he drew from American culture.In addition,the Jewish national concept of Kaplan was influenced by Ahad Haam.For example,Kaplan’s view that “God is the most concerned representative of the Jewish spirit” and Ahad Haam’s recognition of a non-supernatural religion and “God is the Jewish people ’s will to live” are similar.Ahad Haam also believes that God is the creation of the Jewish national spirit,not that God created the Jewish national spirit.This view is also related to Kaplan ’s reformation of traditional beliefs.But Kaplan criticized Ahad Haam’s ideas and emphasized the importance of religious belief in the national concept.This also fully shows that Kaplan’s emphasis on the spiritual world is also in line with his theory of Jewish civilization,that is,Jewish religion is an important part of Jewish civilization.Kaplan’s ideas are secular,pluralistic,and strong in sociology.By reducing the importance of Jewish religion in Jewish culture,he placed Jewish religion under Jewish civilization.He reconstructed the traditional concept of God and the chosen people,and opened the way for Jews to face modernization,so that they can have more choices,while maintaining their Jewish identity,while integrating into modern life.