This cluster aims to explore the intersection of law, literature, and Jewish culture, highlighting how the perspective of Jewish Studies offers innovative insights into normative and identity conflicts in contemporary societies. By analyzing literary works such as Chaim Potok’s My Name is Asher Lev, the project examines the role of religious norms and interpretative authorities in balancing community belonging and individual fulfillment.
Particular focus will be given to the tension between tradition and modernity, the relationship between orthodoxy and secularization, and how literature becomes a privileged space to reflect on ethical and legal dilemmas. Adopting an ethical constructivist approach, the cluster will investigate how religious norms can be reformulated through dialogical and rational processes, harmonizing tradition with the challenges of individual autonomy.
Additionally, the implications of secularization on religious norms—now increasingly fluid and negotiable—and the reactions of traditionalist religious groups to these changes will be analyzed. The cluster seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue that, starting from literature, contributes to a broader understanding of the dynamics between law, religion, and cultural identities, emphasizing the value of narrative as a tool for normative negotiation and transformation.
Researchers: Prof. Vincenzo Pacillo – Dr. Basira Hussen