Universalism and Particularism in the Thought of Jerome (Yehuda) Gellman

Each of Gellman`s works presents a problem based on a universal position and then posits a particularistic tenet that seems to contradict the universal one. But Gellman seeks to preserve the particular. Gellman proceeds to work in a scholastic manner of considering possible answers. This paper will look at how Gelman balances these two poles, specifically, since he places his poles in unique places, unlike prior answers. For example, Gellman wants to accept the historicity of the Biblical text, yet still wants it to elicit a devotion of the potential of martyrdom to preserve it. This is not where others set the poles of the dilemma. Therefore, the very set-up of the question invalidates prior answers. So too, Gellman wants to accept the validity of other relgions, but also retain the particularistic concept of the chosen people. Gellman affirms more of an exclusive position than a pluralistic one. The paper will look to examine Gelman`s method of seeking rational epistemological justification, part apologetics, and part constructive theology. Gelman seeks a credible Orthodox Jewish particularism against a backdrop of universal challenges of the current era.