The preface and introduction of Rabbi José Faur’s The Horizontal Society lay a robust intellectual and ethical foundation for his exploration of Jewish civilization. Rabbi Faur positions Judaism as a horizontally structured society, rooted in law, equality, and an interpretive engagement with texts. These opening sections introduce key concepts such as “Alphabetic Judaism” and the dangers posed by “little foxes,” while critiquing both modern scholarship and internal distortions that threaten the integrity of Jewish tradition.
The Horizontal Structure of Jewish Society
Rabbi Faur begins by contrasting the hierarchical organization of most ancient civilizations with the horizontal structure of Jewish society. This distinctiveness arises from two key principles: (1) the Torah’s declaration that all humans are created in the image of God, affirming inherent equality, and (2) the covenant at Sinai, which establishes the law as the ultimate authority over human power. These principles frame Judaism as a society where all individuals are bound equally by divine law.
For Rabbi Faur, this horizontal structure is not merely idealistic but foundational for justice and freedom. The Torah ensures that power is limited and accountable to law, offering a freedom that contrasts sharply with the “bestial freedom” of anarchic or hierarchical systems. By placing the law above human authority, Judaism creates a system where no individual or institution can claim unbounded power.
Alphabetic Judaism: Engaging with Text and Meaning
A cornerstone of Rabbi Faur’s analysis is his concept of “Alphabetic Judaism.” This is more than a commitment to literacy; it represents a way of engaging with the world as a system of signs—a text that invites interpretation and the generation of meaning. In this framework, the Torah becomes a divine text that not only records laws but also demands intellectual and spiritual engagement. Every letter and nuance of the Torah carries potential meaning, reinforcing the covenantal relationship between God and humanity.
In contrast, Rabbi Faur critiques the “analphabetic mindset,” which lacks the capacity to approach phenomena as interpretive texts. This mindset leads to dogmatism and idolatry, favoring fixed myths over dynamic meaning-making. For Rabbi Faur, Alphabetic Judaism empowers individuals to participate in the interpretive process, preserving the horizontality of Jewish society by ensuring that all members engage with the Torah as active participants in its ongoing revelation.
The Torah as a National Constitution
Rabbi Faur frames the Torah as both a sacred text and a national constitution for the Jewish people. Its sanctity lies not only in its divine origin but also in its communal acceptance, reflecting the covenantal agreement at Sinai. This collective dimension distinguishes the Torah from other sacred texts, anchoring it in the shared identity and governance of the Jewish people.
This constitutional nature underscores the inseparability of the Torah and the Jewish nation. Rabbi Faur critiques modern efforts to sever the Torah from its communal context, likening these attempts to stripping a people of their constitution. Such actions, he argues, not only weaken Jewish identity but also disrupt the horizontal structure that the Torah seeks to maintain.
Little Foxes: Subverting Horizontality
Rabbi Faur’s critique of the “little foxes” is central to his defense of Jewish tradition. Borrowing the metaphor from Song of Songs (2:15), he identifies “little foxes” as individuals who, through self-serving agendas, undermine the integrity of rabbinic discourse. These participants, whether internal or external to Jewish tradition, lack not only intellectual rigor but also a commitment to the horizontality that defines Jewish discourse. Instead, they align with hierarchical systems, serving the interests of the “big fox”—the overarching structures of power and control.
Rabbi Faur argues that rabbinic discourse, rooted in the principles of Alphabetic Judaism, thrives on dialogue and consensus. Its purpose is to generate meaning collectively, preserving the egalitarian nature of Jewish law and governance. The “little foxes,” however, distort this process by prioritizing their own agendas, whether through superficial readings, misrepresentation, or deliberate subversion. In doing so, they disrupt the horizontal society and align with hierarchical ideologies that threaten Jewish autonomy and integrity.
Critique of Modern Scholarship
Rabbi Faur extends his critique to modern scholarship, particularly the Documentary Hypothesis and German historiography, which he accuses of fragmenting and decontextualizing Jewish texts. These methodologies, rooted in hierarchical intellectual traditions, reflect an analphabetic mindset that fails to grasp the Torah’s semantic unity and constitutional role. Such approaches, Rabbi Faur warns, not only distort Jewish texts but also serve broader political and cultural agendas that seek to delegitimize Judaism.
By severing the Torah from its historical and communal context, modern scholarship mirrors the actions of the “little foxes.” It undermines the interpretive richness of Jewish tradition and erodes the communal engagement necessary for the Torah’s continued relevance as a living document.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Dialogue
In the preface and introduction to The Horizontal Society, Rabbi José Faur establishes a vision of Judaism as a horizontally structured, semiotic civilization. His concepts of Alphabetic Judaism and rabbinic discourse emphasize the participatory and egalitarian nature of Jewish tradition, while his critique of “little foxes” highlights the dangers of self-serving agendas that align with hierarchical systems.
Rabbi Faur’s work is not a polemic but an invitation to dialogue, reflecting the very principles he defends. By engaging with Jewish texts and traditions through the lens of semiotic interpretation and covenantal commitment, readers are called to participate in the intellectual and spiritual processes that define Jewish life. In doing so, they reaffirm the horizontality and vitality of Judaism, ensuring its continued relevance in a world often dominated by hierarchical and reductionist ideologies.