‘Very fine . . . a model of clarity and scholarship.’ - Howard Schwartz, Jerusalem Post ‘A solid contribution to our knowledge of the intellectual world of central and east European Jewry in the early modern era, an area and an era that deserves greater scholarly attention.’ - Ira Robinson, Association for Jewish Studies Newsletter ‘The heart of the book, on Maharal’s thought, is valuable for its careful and admirably clear explication of Maharal’s complex views on Divine attributes, Torah, Jewish uniqueness, man and his perfection, and messianism . . .  to be welcomed for its lucid presentation of major themes in the thought of a protean sixteenth-century Jewish thinker who influenced certain key Hasidic, Zionistic and semi-Mitnaggedic thinkers.’   - Hillel Goldberg, Journal of the American Academy of Religion ‘[An] illuminating book.’ - David Katz, London Review of Books ‘Excellent.’ - Chimen Abramsky, {::}Times Literary Supplement