Newton (English, University of Texas-Austin) traces the contours of two thinkers, Emmanuel Levinas and Yeshayahu Leibowitz, who crossed the divide between Talmud and philosophy. Newton shows how the question of nationalism within Western philosophy has long been the concern of Jewish thought and its preoccupation with law, limits, and the place of Israel in the world. Consideration is also given to the present state of Jewish thought and its potential for the future. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)