A Jewish Encounter with the Bhagavad-gita
Keywords:
Jewish encounter, Bhagavad Gita, Comparative religion, Interreligious dialogue, Hasidic tales, Martin Buber, Rabbi Eizik, Simha Bunam, Torah, Non-Jewish religious texts, Maimonides, Bahya ibn Pakuda, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Robert Gordis, Incarnation (Avatara), Krishna, Messiah, Jewish tradition, Christian doctrine, Muslim perspective, Righteous Gentiles, World to Come, Activism vs. ContemplationAbstract
In this article, Ilkrold (Harold) Kasimow explores the possibility and significance of a Jewish encounter with the Bhagavad Gita, positioning it within broader interreligious and comparative religious contexts. Framed by a Hasidic tale in which a Jew rediscovers his own tradition through a non-Jew's insight, the essay argues for the value of engaging with non-Jewish sacred texts to deepen understanding of one’s own faith. While acknowledging traditional Jewish views that discourage study of "alien" religions—such as those expressed by Rabbi Chaim Zvi Hollander—Kasimow highlights Jewish thinkers like Maimonides and Bahya ibn Pakuda who drew meaning from external philosophical sources, including Christian and Muslim thought. The article underscores the Jewish belief in multiple valid paths to God, emphasizing righteousness over religious identity, as articulated by scholars like Abraham Joshua Heschel and Robert Gordis. Kasimow identifies several key concepts in the Gita that are relevant to Jewish discourse, including a contemplative spirituality that balances the action-oriented nature of Western traditions. He also tackles theological challenges, such as the doctrine of incarnation (avatara), suggesting that Krishna’s divine role may be less theologically incompatible for Jews than Christian interpretations of the Incarnation. Ultimately, the article calls for an expanded model of interreligious dialogue—extending beyond Christianity—to include Eastern traditions like Hinduism, fostering mutual enrichment and ethical understanding.
