معرفی
Daniel J. Lasker serves as the Norbert Blechner Professor of Jewish Values in the Goldstein-Goren Department of Jewish Thought at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. A distinguished scholar with over two hundred publications, he specializes in Karaite Judaism and medieval Jewish philosophy.
His educational background includes a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. from Brandeis University, with additional studies at Hebrew University. This strong academic foundation has enabled his significant contributions to the understanding of Jewish intellectual history.
Lasker's research primarily focuses on Karaite Judaism, where he challenges simplistic characterizations of Karaism as merely rejecting the Talmud. Instead, he presents it as an alternate, parallel form of Judaism based on biblical interpretation. His work explores how biblical exegesis serves as a source of Jewish pluralism, examining the nuanced relationship between Karaite and Rabbinic traditions throughout history. His scholarship reveals the intellectual depth and diversity within Jewish thought across medieval and early modern periods.
His publications demonstrate consistent engagement with Jewish philosophical polemics against Christianity, medieval Karaite philosophy, and the interpretation of biblical texts. Lasker's work shows particular expertise in figures ranging from medieval scholars like Judah Hadassi to eighteenth-century Karaite rabbis like Simhah Isaac Lutski.
- Norbert Blechner Professor of Jewish Values
Lasker maintains an active scholarly presence with numerous publications that bridge historical research and contemporary religious understanding. His work contributes significantly to academic discussions about the relationship between Torah interpretation, science, and reason, arguing that it is 'foolish and wrong to interpret the Torah in a way that makes Torah conflict with the unequivocal truths of science and reason.'
