In 'Merton and Judaism', Thomas Merton is presented as making a significant opening to reverent appreciation of Judaism past and present as he aspires to be, or claims to be "a true Jew under my Catholic skin.”

Outstanding writers discuss Thomas Merton’s discovery of and developing relationship with Judaism.  Features Merton’s correspondence with Jewish scholars and participation in Catholic Church’s opening to respect for Jewish faith and spirituality, especially in the Ecumenical Council of 1962-65.  Includes pertinent documents of Vatican II and joint statements to bishops and rabbis;  valuable for libraries’ permanent collections.

The book is intended to be not only a Merton book but a Jews-and- Christians book, a valuable contribution to that very earnest conversation going on now at a level it has never before enjoyed.  In this context the book is intended to reach a Jewish audience as well as a Christian one.  The presence of the documentary resources makes it unique as a volume in which the serious reader will find at hand the amazing details of the negotiations that touched the lives of the Jews so profoundly.

The third volume in Fons Vitae’s important Interfaith Series initiated with Merton and Sufism followed by Merton and Hesychasm.

*  *  *

"Merton & Judaism is an important and admirable addition to the Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series. As an editor and publisher of Thomas Merton's and Abraham Joshua Heschel's writings on Judaism, I can warmly recommend this timely and informative anthology."

- Robert Giroux, Farrar, Straus and Giroux


"Concerned Jews and Christians will welcome these papers presented at the Adath Jeshurun Synagogue in Louisville in February of 2002 on Merton & Judaism, a conference organized and chaired by Edward K. Kaplan, as well as related documents from other authors. We are indebted to Beatrice Bruteau for editing this important ecumenical volume which will do much to continue and deepen the Jewish-Christian dialogue." 

- Patrick Hart, OCSO, Merton's last secretary and general editor of the Merton Journals


"A brilliant, varied collection of essays and personal correspondence on an aspect of Merton's thought that is too little known. His views on Judaism were years ahead of his time, yet remain relevant for us today."

- Dr. Eva Fleischner, Professor Emeritas at Montclair State University


"Thomas Merton ­ like Abraham Heschel ­ had that rare ability to pass over to another religious tradition and appreciate it from within, which is why this volume on Merton and Judaism is so terribly important to Christians and Jews, and indeed to anyone who wants to understand the vitality of authentic modern spirituality."

- Kenneth L. Woodward, has been Religion Editor of Newsweek for 39 years and author of The Book of Miracles: The Meaning of the Miracle Stories in Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.


See The Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series

[Return to Catalog] - [Fons Vitae titles] - [World Religions / Interfaith Dialogue] - [Order books]