Not offered 2007-2008
JWST 101 Judaism: Innovation and Tradition (Same as Religion 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.
HAMMERSCHLAG