JWST 101(S) Judaism: Innovation and Tradition (Same as Religio 203)
What is the relationship between modern notions of Jewish identity, thought and
practice and the Hebrew Bible? How does the modern Reform movement link
itself to the laws of the rabbinic sages? Are there consistent values and ideals that
mark Jewish moral thought throughout its history? What elements of the Jewish
tradition have enabled its elasticity and historic persistence? By providing an
introduction to the traditions of Jewish thought and practice through the ages,
this course will take up these questions. Though the course's method of progression will be primarily chronological, commencing with myths of Israel's beginnings and culminating with contemporary debates over Jewish identity, we will
additionally emphasize the strong ties between methods of Jewish thought and
practices and the surrounding cultural environments in which they developed.
We will approach the tradition not only with historical concerns, but with literary
and philosophical aims as well. We will analyze the interpretive strategies, theological presuppositions, and political aims that accompany the tradition both in
its continuities and its ruptures. Finally, we will consider the extent to which we
can speak of Judaism under the category of religion, considering as well the other categories that have been proposed for Judaism, Jews and Jewishness, such as
nation, people, race and ethnicity, and the motivations behind such designations.
Texts will include the Hebrew Bible, Holz (ed), Back to the Sources; Halbertal,
People of the Book; Mendelssohn, Jerusalem; Hertzberg (ed), The Zionist Idea;
Levi, Survival in Auschwitz as well as excerpts and articles available in a course
packet.
Format: lecture/discussion. Assignments will include participation in class discussion, three short papers (5-7 pages) and a take-home final exam.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit 30 (expected 15). Preference given to
Religion majors and Jewish Studies concentrators.