For You Alone

"For You Alone is a tour de force. . . . Veling has written the most comprehensive introduction to the work of Emmanuel Levinas that also resonates with the deep goals of that work in re-enlivening the meaning of the religious. His ability to bring together Levinas's so-called philosophic and 'confessional' writings and thereby get to the heart of Levinas's project is not something I have seen anyone able to do; and to do it so clearly and in such an accessible way is a marvel. Veling achieves a wholeness of approach that few have achieved or even thought to attempt."

--Ira F. Stone, Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel, Philadelphia, PA



"Veling's deep love for the work of Levinas makes for an elegant and probing conversation. In a world where fear of the other seems to dominate personal and global relationships, Veling challenges the reader to imagine no other window to God than the body and face of the other. This is a book to be savored."

--Mary Carter Waren, St. Thomas University, Miami, FL



"Terry Veling's beautiful book offers a refined philosophical and theological meditation on 'the answerable life.' He makes Levinas's texts resonate in a catholic context. He is sensitive to the difference in Levinas's Jewish thought, while at the same time developing a dialogical attitude that allows for communication between the Jewish and the Christian world. This spiritual book introduces Levinas's philosophical and Jewish writings to a broad public. More generally, it is inspired by the Jewish experience, especially as it comes to expression in Levinas's reading of Talmudic literature."

--Ephraim Meir, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel



"For You Alone pays homage to Levinas by offering a deeply appreciative reading that interweaves Levinas's texts with contributions from other Jewish and Christian thinkers and with Veling's own reflections. It is a meditation on Levinas's insight that the other is the 'Most High,' the image of the unseen God, an insight that Veling communicates with personal commitment, interpretive skill, and an illuminating range of philosophical and theological reference."

--Robert Gascoigne, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, Australia



"Drawing upon a range of Jewish and Christian sources, Veling finds in Levinas the universal thinker who is nevertheless rooted in Jewish particularity. At once a personal reflection and a scholarly account, both learned and accessible, this book makes an important contribution to understanding why Levinas matters."

--Michael Gillis, The Melton Centre for Jewish Education, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel



"Levinas is a complex and elusive writer. Veling rightly tells his readers that he can only supply one reading. But what a reading it is! Veling offers a fresh and penetrating take on Levinas's central theme. Both those new to Levinasian ethics and more experienced readers will benefit enormously from Veling's profound and poetic interpretation."

--Neil Pembroke, School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia



"In this splendid book, Jews and Christians meet as part of one family. Terry Veling explains the writings of the post-war Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas with skill and with deep respect. It is a lucid introduction to contemporary theology that transcends traditional denominational boundaries. It is both illuminating and inspiring."

--John S. Levi, Asia-Pacific Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia