In this book, David Michael Grossberg offers a fresh and illuminating perspective on the three-thousand-year evolution of Jewish monotheism by narrating the history of 'God is one' as a religious slogan from the ancient to the modern world. Although 'God is one' has been called Judaism's primary testimony of faith, its meaning has been obscure and contentious from its earliest emergence. From the Bible's acclamatory 'the Lord is one' to Philo of Alexandria's highest Word just secondary to God; from the Talmud's rejection of 'two powers in heaven' to the philosophers' First Existent who is one beyond unity; from the Kabbalists' tenfold Godhead to Spinoza's one substance, this innovative history demonstrates the remarkable diversity encompassed by this deceptively simple Jewish statement of faith. Grossberg shows how this diversity is unified in a continuous striving for knowledge of God that has been at the heart of Judaism from its earliest beginnings.

‘Demonstrating the concept’s range of meanings, Grossberg shows how the idea that God is one evolved to address the distinct theological needs of Jews in each period. His illuminating study is essential for readers who want to follow the remarkable evolution of this idea and for those whose interests lie in one or the other of the individual periods Grossberg expounds. For all readers, a central lesson is that, however we approach the term, we will hardly grasp the extent of the potential connotations of so superficially simple an idea as ‘God is one.’ … Essential.’

A. J. Avery-Peck Source: Choice

‘Grossberg takes an historical approach to the question, as is required by the title. Thus he begins by noting that texts relating to God as one are uncommon before the second century BC, and when they emerge they tend to be in Greek, with Jewish authors such as Philo of Alexandria seeking to express their Jewish theology in the terms of Greek philosophy, a language with terminology and concepts that could be used. The presentation is clear and thorough. He examines Canaanite culture and religion, noting differences and similarities, as well as Egyptian culture, which is probably, aside from Israel, the only culture that embraced monotheism in the time of Akhenaten, as is well known. So Grossberg uses not only biblical and Jewish sources, but also other contemporary sources, both textual and archaeological (e.g. the Mesha stele and an Egyptian inscription from Nubia) to give a full context to Jewish monotheism.’

Dom Anselm Brumwell Source: The Downside Review