Hebrew University
On the Formation of a Religious Society: The ‘Exemplary It’ in Martin Buber’s Life and Thought.
My research explores how an exemplary society should look – politically, socially and culturally – and analyzes the inherent philosophical problems entailed in achieving such a reality. This project is examined through the lens of German-Jewish thinker Martin Buber (1878–1965). Buber’s “philosophy of dialogue” is conveyed in theoretical writings on religion, sociology, culture and politics, and is manifest in his involvement with the Zionist movement; his translation and interpretation of Biblical and Hasidic texts; his educational work with Jews in Europe and in Israel; and his correspondences with politicians, intellectuals and activists. Scholarship on Buber’s thought until now has reduced his political, social and cultural agenda, since it has neglected the concept of the “It” (Es) in his philosophy of dialogue. My research brings to light new distinctions in the overlooked, yet essential, concept of the “It” in Buber’s philosophy, and in turn, demonstrates how his Biblical, Hasidic and Zionist writings, alongside his activity in these realms, reveal his vision for an exemplary society and the methods he advances to achieve it.
Evyatar Varman is a PhD student at the Department of Jewish Thought in Hebrew University. His academic interests include philosophy of law, language, rituals and religion. He focuses on writings of Jewish-German, Hasidic and Zionist thinkers. Evyatar wrote his MA thesis under the guidance of Prof. Benjamin Pollock, titled: “The ‘Exemplary It’ and Religion: A New Reading of I and Thou.”