Jewish Virtual Library on Yeshayahu Leibowitz

“Leibowitz regarded Judaism as a religious and historical phenomenon, which is characterized by a recognition of the duty to serve God in performing mitzvot.  The service of God according to binding halakhic norms must be "for its own sake" (li-shemah), and its purpose is not designed to achieve personal perfection or to improve society.  Religion is thus not a means toward any specific end.  Judaism is for Leibowitz not humanism, or a sentiment or a bundle of memories.  Jews have the obligation to take upon themselves the yoke of Torah and mitzvot.  Leibowitz's standpoint is thus neither anthropocentric or ethnocentric, but theocentric.”

“Leibowitz had a very negative view of Christianity as well as of modern Jewish thinkers like Rosenzweig and Buber, who showed intellectual and religious interest in Christianity.  In contrast to scholars and thinkers like David Flusser, who investigated the Jewish roots of Christianity, Leibowitz wrote that the very concept of a "Judeo-Christian heritage" is a square circle.  A synthesis or symbiosis is impossible; Christianity is for Leibowitz the adversary of Judaism.  In his view, Christianity is the heir who does not want to admit that the testator is still alive.  Judaism and Christianity cannot coexist, because Christianity claims that it is true Judaism, and is interested in the liquidation of Judaism as the religion of Torah and mitzvot.”

“In his essays, Leibowitz produced sharp and thought-provoking insights on many subjects such as the nature of holiness, chosenness, Messianism, prayer, redemption, and general and personal providence.  His consistent and provocative thought gave him a prominent position in contemporary Jewish thought, especially in Israel.  His thinking, even when contested, is stimulating and powerful and invites or even forces people to respond by formulating their own views.”