A Deconstructionist Theology of the Shoah by Hélène Cixous in Light of Derrida and Levinas: Theodicy, Job and Exile in From Osnabrück to Jerusalem

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to offer an original interpretation in two fields of research: the first, of contemporary Jewish philosophy, and the second, to the continental and specifically deconstructionist method. I wish to achieve this by analysing a new deconstructionist text of the French, Jewish, post‐structuralist, feminist contemporary thinker—Hélène Cixous, which has thus far received little scholarly attention at all, and even less in its contributions to deconstructionism and Jewish philosophical thought. Focusing on this text, I concentrate on its Jewish and philosophical aspects—Gare d'Osnabrück à Jérusalem—The Osnabrück Station in/to Jerusalem.This study will centre on Cixous’ treatment of theodicy—the theological problem of evil and suffering—contextualising her position in the thought of the post‐war French cultural milieu of Emmanuel Levinas and Jacques Derrida. I will examine the position Cixous develops on theodicy—which is to resist it, and move towards a position of anti‐theodicy. I show how she develops this position, which is through a deconstructionist and hermeneutical reading of the biblical figure of Job. I then trace further theological issues arising from her anti‐theodicy, of the roles of exile and return in this text—especially in Cixous’ positioning of Osnabrück as ‘Jerusalem’. The study is set alongside the ‘Hauntology’ theory of Jacques Derrida. I claim that Cixous’ work can be enhanced through a hauntological reading, but that she ultimately re‐defines this position to advance her own thinking. This study offers questions beyond this particular text: first, relating to the role of deconstructionism in portraying theological issues, especially theodicy, and second, of the contributions, complex as they may be, to contemporary Jewish philosophical discourse.