Berel Lang Livres

Exploring the rich tapestry of Jewish literature and culture, this collection edited by Alvin H. Rosenfeld delves into diverse themes, historical contexts, and significant literary contributions from Jewish authors. It highlights the interplay between cultural identity and artistic expression, showcasing how Jewish experiences have shaped and influenced literature across generations. The anthology offers critical insights and scholarly perspectives, making it a vital resource for understanding the complexities of Jewish narratives and their impact on the broader literary landscape.

Demonstrating that Heidegger's own silence spoke consciously and deliberately in response to what has been called the "Jewish Question". Posed simply, the Jewish Question asked how (or if) the Jews were to live among the nations.

Since Theodor Adorno's critique of poetry "after Auschwitz," artists and theorists have grappled with reconciling the moral enormity of the Nazi genocide with the quest for creative freedom. Berel Lang examines the relationship between ethics and art in contemporary Holocaust discussions. He questions whether certain aesthetic methods or genres are inappropriate for representing the Holocaust and how much artists should be bound by historical "actuality." Lang asserts that the tension between artistic form and content intensifies when addressing morally significant events like the Holocaust. As authors seek innovative means of representation, Holocaust writings often blur genre boundaries, reflecting a desire for historical and artistic authenticity. This discussion is informed by controversies surrounding the truth of Benjamin Wilkomirski's "memoir" Fragments and Roberto Benigni's film Life Is Beautiful. Lang argues that Holocaust representation is constrained by ethical and historical limits. Art that disregards these constraints risks descending into sentimentality, melodrama, cliché, or kitsch, which is particularly objectionable given the moral gravity of its subject. Ultimately, all Holocaust representation must confront whether it might be more authentically conveyed through silence—by refraining from representation altogether.

The first intellectual biography of Primo Levi to describe the intersection of his roles as both chemist and writer

Exploring the intricate connection between writing and ethics, this book delves into various social contexts, including politics, academia, and everyday interactions. It examines how ethical considerations shape language and communication, providing a comprehensive analysis of the moral dimensions of writing across different spheres of life.

Berel Lang's Genocide: The Act as Idea analyzes and defends the distinctiveness of the concept of genocide as a notable advance in the history of moral and political thinking and practice.

This work is an analysis of the ideology, causal patterns, and means employed in the Nazi genocide against the Jews. It argues that the events of the genocide compel reconsideration of such moral concepts as individual and group responsibility, the role of knowledge in ethical decisions, and the conditions governing the relation between guilt and forgiveness. It shows how the moral implications of genocide extend to linguistic and artistic presentations of the Nazi extermination of the Jews.