Part IV: Modernity and Beyond
The encounter between Jewish tradition and modernity forced fundamental reconsiderations of how sacred texts function in contemporary life. This section traces how archaeological discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls challenged assumptions about textual uniformity, how different denominational movements developed competing approaches to balancing tradition with adaptation, and how digital technology and global diversity continue reshaping Jewish textual culture in unprecedented ways. From Orthodox preservation to Reform innovation, from academic scholarship to grassroots creativity, these chapters examine how Jewish communities have navigated between inherited wisdom and contemporary challenges, ultimately transforming questions about textual authority into opportunities for renewed engagement with sources that continue speaking across changing historical circumstances.