Putting God Second: How to Save Religion from Itself Hardcover – February 16, 2016

Putting God Second: How to save religion from itself, by Rabbi Donniel Hartman reviewed by Jerry WoolpyTaking his beloved Judaism as an example, Modern Orthodox Rabbi Hartman defends religions as the inspiration for good works despite the devilishness of some parts of sacred texts that can be used to defend war, xenophobia, hate, murder, denial of responsibility to help the poor, self-aggrandizement, and demonization. He discusses the particulars of misuse and how to overcome each of them. In the name of religion some deny that we are our brothers’ keepers. Many are intoxicated with God to the point of irrational allegiance to the literal, they put God ahead of people instead of recognizing that God is here to promote the welfare all people. The Rabbi explains the historical context of ethical standards that once condoned slavery, the subjugation of women, homophobia, and the despoiling of any religion except that of The Chosen. He implores us to recognize the evolution of ethics from intolerance of diversity to universal inclusion. Hartman is a rational theologian arguing that ethical decisions are our responsibility to reason through with an eye to Hillel’s guiding principle that we must not do anything to anyone that we would not want done to ourselves. Using Abraham as an example, he opines that the Patriarch was wrong when he took God’s word to sacrifice Isaac, but right when he argued with God about the fate of innocent people in Sodom.As proof of Hartman’s sincerity, in the introduction he writes of modern Israel: "Now, after two thousand years, Jews, like Christians and Muslims for centuries now, must come to terms with the impact of their faith on their surroundings. We are often self-congratulatory about our record of tolerance and compassion toward others, pointing to two millennia of diaspora life, and our support for religious freedom and coexistence. For much of this history, however, we were a powerless people— and a powerless people is always a moral one, as self-interest positions one on the side of the downtrodden. Now, however, we find ourselves in a dramatically different reality and a much improved condition. We not only have the ability to protect ourselves but also the power to harm others. As the short history of Israel has revealed, it is all too often the same people who speak in the name of religion who come down on the side of discrimination toward the non-Jewish national minorities in Israel; who are comfortable wielding political power to limit religious freedom for non-Jews; for whom all wars that Israel wages are by definition just and ought to be supported; and who campaign most vociferously against pursuing peace with our Palestinian neighbors. Judaism is my patient because, as a rabbi and teacher, I am engaged every day in a struggle for its soul, as I seek to ensure that Judaism in Israel is a force for good."In summary in the concluding chapter of the book he writes: "The demand that God desist from intervening in the unfolding discourse of the Jewish legal tradition and allow it to enter into a new era ruled not by prophecy but by reason and intellect— an era in which Jewish practice and tradition become unapologetically “manmade”— is the ultimate expression of humanity’s sense of value and empowered self-worth… To argue with God about what God should want, to assume that a human being is capable of knowing better than God what is in God’s best interest, is the act of an individual fully attuned to his or her immense capacity and self-worth. It emerges from a consciousness of the implications of being created in the image of God and charged with a mission to govern the world."This is a book for people with or without faith who espouse meaning for peace and love in their lives.

Too often people have a difficult time with applying scripture written 2000-2700 years ago to today's world. Well that is the problem, it, the Bible is very old and conditions have changed enormously. Therefore if we take every thing literally, as the word of God, or as the author says put God first, we find it very difficult to reconcile the Word with the needs, customs, mores, sensitivities of an ever changing and growing world. We are doing what the Bible implies is required of us, in extending the benefits and freedoms of society to many different parts of our society. We are bringing "The Other" in from the cold. We come up against Biblical prohibitions in the stated "Word of God or God Himself "in doing this holy work.As the author maintains we have to go" beyond the law" and follow Deuteronomy 6:18 "and do what is right and good in the sight of God". It is a long standing tradition in Judaism that in the Old Testament ( Hebrew Bible) you can't change or alter any letter or symbol , but you can wall or "fence" off that which doesn't apply or hampers one in following Deut. 6.:18. Another popular filter in Jewish theology for determining whether an argument or scripture passage is worthwhile pursuing or discussion is whether that would be for the sake of God or only for man. So Jews for a long time have been practicing Rabbi Hartman's ideas and approach to God and His Word and the results have been transformative as long as we follow" to do right and good in the sight of God".I like his idea of characterizing the problem or "autoimmune illness" as God Intoxication or God manipulation. The former is when we become "drunk or infatuated" with God and can't see the good beyond. The latter is when we Manipulate God in our self interest an invoke a "Them or Us" mentality. As another reviewer said this is very similar to Rabbi Jonathan Sack's in his book " Not in my Name" in explaining where violence comes from and it is not God but misusing Him in furthering a "Them or Us'' condition.I have not quite finished the book which is very short (less that 200 pages) and I am going slow to better absorb the material and compare to my other readings and my own experiences in Bible study, but I did see several references to the "Not in Heaven " passages of Deut. 30.11-14 in which God in his wisdom releases us to interpret the Bible for ourselves in our times and not go to Heaven for all the answers, even if the answers would be more accurate there. We would lose too much of who we are as partners of God created in His image.To achieve this perspective and approach to life we may have to "Put God Second" to avoid the autoimmune diseases of Intoxication and Manipulation and Follow Det 6.18 and 30.11-14As I finish this wonderful book look for my additional comments. This journey with God is fascinating and so rewarding and He is so open to our discussions and interpretations and understanding. We are true partners created in His image in the ongoing work of creation.

A reasonably well written book and a good start towards the author's argument in favor of religion not being used for political or economic purposes. It is written primarily from the perspective of the Jewish religion, and could be more forceful in explaining that a God who needs humans to help him/her in killing other humans isn't exactly an all-powerful or all-knowing deity.

Interesting but the language, vocabulary is too elitist. I have a pretty good background in language, literature and Judaica and found the vocabulary difficult and over my head.

A good read,.