Dr. Marc Shapiro’s 9th Book a Sacks Prize Finalist

Recognized as one of the most important and original thinkers in Jewish history, Rav Kook’s writings have been studied for generations.

“In this area of scholarship, everyone is usually studying the same writings within the canon,” said Marc B. Shapiro, Ph.D., professor and chair of theology and religious studies at The University of Scranton. “That’s what people did (with Kook) for many years.”

However, volumes of additional texts written but never publicly released by Kook, who died in 1935, have been uncovered in recent years.

The recently discovered texts have allowed historians and researchers to further examine Kook, as Dr. Shapiro did in his book, “Renewing the Old, Sanctifying the New: The Unique Vision of Rav Kook.”

Released in 2025, Dr. Shapiro’s ninth and newest book was honored as a finalist for the prestigious Rabbi Sacks Book Prize from Yeshiva University.

“We have new writings, which is causing us to rewrite his history and rewrite his thoughts,” Dr. Shapiro said. “That is very exciting scholarship.”

Dr. Shapiro described Kook as “an effervescent personality” who was constantly thinking and coming up with new — often unconventional — ideas. Kook had strong opinions on science and religion, as well as morality.

In addition to this book’s consideration for the Rabbi Sacks Book Prize, two of Dr. Shapiro’s previous books were finalists for the National Jewish Book Award.

Dr. Shapiro, who has worked at The University of Scranton since 1996, is a graduate of Brandeis University. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University, where he is scheduled to speak Feb. 20-21 at the Harvard Hillel.