Judaism: Tradition and Change

Distinctive characteristics Dialogical Dialogical Jewish history is “a continuing dialogue with God” rooted in a covenant Jewish history is “a continuing dialogue with God” rooted in a covenant Both sides—people and God—participate Both sides—people and God—participate Often takes the form of argument in the Bible and rabbinic writings Often takes the form of argument in the Bible and rabbinic writings The dialogue is grounded in each side’s obligations to covenant The dialogue is grounded in each side’s obligations to covenant Adaptive Adaptive Has changed, radically at times, to accommodate new cultures and new challenges while preserving essential tradition Has changed, radically at times, to accommodate new cultures and new challenges while preserving essential tradition Ortho-praxis (“right practice”) Ortho-praxis (“right practice”) Focus on keeping mitzvot (commandments) as expression of covenant Focus on keeping mitzvot (commandments) as expression of covenant Doctrine can vary widely Doctrine can vary widely

Ancient Israel: Historical setting Developed in Mesopotamia ca yrs ago Developed in Mesopotamia ca yrs ago Tiny land, small group of people fighting for survival Tiny land, small group of people fighting for survival Surrounded by powerful empires that rise and fall Surrounded by powerful empires that rise and fall Akkadia, Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Greece, Rome Akkadia, Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Greece, Rome Yet incredibly influential in Western culture Yet incredibly influential in Western culture

Key ideas Monotheistic Monotheistic Fundamental statement of belief: Shema Yisrael: “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One” Fundamental statement of belief: Shema Yisrael: “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One” Contrasts with other Ancient Near Eastern religions Contrasts with other Ancient Near Eastern religions Had multiple deities, consorts, were more like humans Had multiple deities, consorts, were more like humans Also had fertility gods and rituals; Creator might be hostile Also had fertility gods and rituals; Creator might be hostile In contrast, Israel’s God is different from humans In contrast, Israel’s God is different from humans not male (no consort) not male (no consort) Always draws contrast (“Am I a man, that I should lie?”) Always draws contrast (“Am I a man, that I should lie?”) Calls humans to higher moral standards Calls humans to higher moral standards But, cares deeply about people But, cares deeply about people

Covenant Central idea in Judaism Central idea in Judaism God is revealed in history God is revealed in history History has an end goal, is meaningful History has an end goal, is meaningful Belief is lived out practically Belief is lived out practically Covenants in Judaism Covenants in Judaism God with Noah God with Noah God with Abraham (Gen 12, 15, 17) God with Abraham (Gen 12, 15, 17) Big one: God with Moses and Israel on Mt. Sinai (book of Exodus) Big one: God with Moses and Israel on Mt. Sinai (book of Exodus)

Exodus Story Central narrative in Judaism Central narrative in Judaism Paradigm: continues to interpret new experiences Paradigm: continues to interpret new experiences Retold each year in the Seder meal of Passover Retold each year in the Seder meal of Passover Remembers past, and interprets present circumstances as an ongoing story of God’s liberation of the oppressed Remembers past, and interprets present circumstances as an ongoing story of God’s liberation of the oppressed Story that establishes identity Story that establishes identity Of God as liberator Of God as liberator Of Israel as a people of God Of Israel as a people of God Of their covenantal relationship: each has obligations Of their covenantal relationship: each has obligations

Seder Haggadah Haggadah Traditional story, blessings, songs, prayers Traditional story, blessings, songs, prayers Yet flexible: many versions Yet flexible: many versions Unites past, present, and future Unites past, present, and future Foods: symbols of Exodus story Foods: symbols of Exodus story Cup for Elijah Cup for Elijah Roles for the kids Roles for the kids

Seder, cont. What makes this a ritual? What makes this a ritual? What makes it meaningful? What makes it meaningful? How does it disclose identity: How does it disclose identity: Of Jews (Settings, p. 134, 137) Of Jews (Settings, p. 134, 137) Of God Of God What does it mean for Jews today? What does it mean for Jews today?

Ongoing development: Rabbinic Judaism Major crisis: destruction of Jerusalem Temple by Romans in 70 CE Major crisis: destruction of Jerusalem Temple by Romans in 70 CE Need new ways to practice religion in diaspora, without a geographic center, Temple, or priesthood Need new ways to practice religion in diaspora, without a geographic center, Temple, or priesthood Rabbis present new adaptable model: study and prayer in the synagogue and at home Rabbis present new adaptable model: study and prayer in the synagogue and at home Focus on study Focus on study Torah: Hebrew Bible Torah: Hebrew Bible Talmud ( CE) includes: Talmud ( CE) includes: Mishnah (200 CE): record of oral tradition by rabbis Mishnah (200 CE): record of oral tradition by rabbis Gemara: commentary on Mishnah Gemara: commentary on Mishnah 613 mitzvot (commandments) 613 mitzvot (commandments) Focus on ritual and prayer in home and synagogue Focus on ritual and prayer in home and synagogue Sabbath (shabbat), holidays, keeping mitzvot Sabbath (shabbat), holidays, keeping mitzvot

Major change: Reform Judaism Assumption: “Jewish law, halachah, is an historical collection of human responses to the divine.” (“Synagogues,” 100) Assumption: “Jewish law, halachah, is an historical collection of human responses to the divine.” (“Synagogues,” 100) Redefined Judaism’s place in the modern world (101) Redefined Judaism’s place in the modern world (101) Develops in 1800s Germany Develops in 1800s Germany Time of Enlightenment Time of Enlightenment Belief in universality of truth, known through reason Belief in universality of truth, known through reason Religion seen as valuable for teaching morals Religion seen as valuable for teaching morals Questioned religious authorities, scriptures Questioned religious authorities, scriptures Legal changes Legal changes Emancipation laws give Jews citizenship Emancipation laws give Jews citizenship Many Jews see value in assimilating to European society Many Jews see value in assimilating to European society Adapted rabbinic Judaism to modern life Adapted rabbinic Judaism to modern life Focus on moral law and social justice Focus on moral law and social justice Traditions are adaptable Traditions are adaptable keeping kosher, observing Sabbath, studying Torah and Talmud critically keeping kosher, observing Sabbath, studying Torah and Talmud critically

Jewish Synagogue interior

Movements of Judaism Orthodox Orthodox About 10% of American Jews About 10% of American Jews Majority of Jews in Europe, Israel Majority of Jews in Europe, Israel Conservative Conservative Started in 1913 in U.S. as a middle ground between Reform and Orthodox Started in 1913 in U.S. as a middle ground between Reform and Orthodox About 40-43% of American Jews About 40-43% of American Jews Reform Reform About 35-40% of American Jews About 35-40% of American Jews Reconstructionist Reconstructionist Started in 1967 in U.S. Started in 1967 in U.S.