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It has come to my attention that many of you may not have received last week’s email, so I wanted to be sure to clue you in on my latest endeavor.
I recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of publishing my next book, tentatively titled The Divine and the Dumb: Jewish Perspectives on Idolatry. This work is a scholarly yet accessible exploration of avodah zarah and its conceptual world—addressing questions like: What’s so bad about idolatry? Why did people worship idols? How did pagan polytheists view the world differently than the Bible does?
The book also delves into related topics such as:
Kishuf (sorcery)
Sheidim and spiritual entities
Sarim (celestial powers)
The worship of human beings or angels
The role of intermediaries
And the broader question of how divinity is often mistakenly located in the wrong places
While my previous book, G‑d versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry, focused on historical and exegetical dimensions of idolatry in Tanach, this new volume takes the next step—centering not on history, but on ideas.
If you’re able to support this project, I would be deeply grateful. Contributions are tax-deductible in the USA, and dedication opportunities are available. You can visit the GoFundMe page here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/reuven-chaim-klein-new-book-on-idolatry
I’m also counting on readers like you to help spread the word. If you know others who may be interested, please consider sharing the link via email, WhatsApp, or social media.
Thank you so much for your support—I truly rely on engaged readers like you to help bring meaningful Jewish scholarship into the world.
With much appreciation,
Reuven Chaim Klein
Beitar Illit, Israel
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