In Response a Fathers Letter to His Son
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When Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson's son Jacob turned eighteen, a deeply personal letter became the catalyst for reimagining Jewish theology through the lens of parenting a child with autism. Through narrative reflection interweaving lived experience and theological inquiry, Artson chronicles his transformation from conventional Conservative Jewish thought toward Process Theology as he grappled with questions of divine nature and human dignity. Traditional theological frameworks proved insufficient for reconciling divine omnipotence with developmental disabilities, leading him to engage with the philosophical insights of Alfred North Whitehead, Henri Bergson, and Charles Hartshorne. The resulting synthesis reconceptualizes God not as an all-powerful sovereign but as a persuasive, loving presence that continuously draws creation toward its highest potential. By combining autobiographical reflection, theological analysis, and philosophical investigation, Artson demonstrates how Process Theology offers a more nuanced and satisfying framework for understanding divine love, human agency, and the practice of mitzvot. This approach ultimately provides a compelling foundation for Jewish observance based on love rather than fear, while affirming the inherent worth and possibilities within all people, regardless of neurological differences.

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Published 2010-2011
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Bradley Artson