Judaism:Judaism:Tradition and ChangeTradition and Change

Distinctive characteristicsDistinctive characteristics

DialogicalDialogical Jewish history is “a continuing dialogue with God” rooted in a Jewish history is “a continuing dialogue with God” rooted in a

covenant covenant Both sides—people and God—participateBoth sides—people and God—participate

Often takes the form of argument in the Bible and rabbinic writingsOften takes the form of argument in the Bible and rabbinic writings The dialogue is grounded in each side’s obligations to covenantThe dialogue is grounded in each side’s obligations to covenant

AdaptiveAdaptive Has changed, radically at times, to accommodate new cultures Has changed, radically at times, to accommodate new cultures

and new challenges while preserving essential tradition and new challenges while preserving essential tradition Ortho-praxis (“right practice”)Ortho-praxis (“right practice”)

Focus on keeping Focus on keeping mitzvot (mitzvot (commandments) as expression of commandments) as expression of covenantcovenant

Doctrine can vary widelyDoctrine can vary widely

Ancient Israel: Historical Ancient Israel: Historical settingsetting

Developed in Mesopotamia ca. 3000 yrs Developed in Mesopotamia ca. 3000 yrs agoago

Tiny land, small group of people fighting Tiny land, small group of people fighting for survivalfor survival

Surrounded by powerful empires that rise Surrounded by powerful empires that rise and falland fall

Akkadia, Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Greece, RomeAkkadia, Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Greece, Rome

Yet incredibly influential in Western Yet incredibly influential in Western cultureculture

Key ideasKey ideas

MonotheisticMonotheistic Fundamental statement of belief: Fundamental statement of belief: Shema YisraelShema Yisrael: “Hear O : “Hear O

Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One”Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One” Contrasts with other Ancient Near Eastern religionsContrasts with other Ancient Near Eastern religions

Had multiple deities, consorts, were more like humansHad multiple deities, consorts, were more like humans Also had fertility gods and rituals; Creator might be hostileAlso 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 standardsCalls humans to higher moral standards

But, cares deeply about peopleBut, cares deeply about people

CovenantCovenant

Central idea in JudaismCentral idea in Judaism God is revealed in historyGod is revealed in history History has an end goal, is meaningfulHistory has an end goal, is meaningful Belief is lived out practicallyBelief is lived out practically

Covenants in JudaismCovenants in Judaism God with NoahGod 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. Big one: God with Moses and Israel on Mt.

Sinai (book of Exodus)Sinai (book of Exodus)

Exodus StoryExodus Story

Central narrative in JudaismCentral narrative in Judaism Paradigm: continues to interpret new experiencesParadigm: continues to interpret new experiences Retold each year in the Seder meal of PassoverRetold each year in the Seder meal of Passover

Remembers past, and interprets present circumstances Remembers past, and interprets present circumstances as an ongoing story of God’s liberation of the oppressedas an ongoing story of God’s liberation of the oppressed

Story that establishes identityStory that establishes identity Of God as liberatorOf God as liberator Of Israel as a people of GodOf Israel as a people of God Of their covenantal relationship: each has Of their covenantal relationship: each has

obligationsobligations

SederSeder

HaggadahHaggadah Traditional story, blessings, songs, Traditional story, blessings, songs,

prayersprayers Yet flexible: many versionsYet flexible: many versions Unites past, present, and futureUnites past, present, and future

Foods: symbols of Exodus storyFoods: symbols of Exodus story Cup for ElijahCup for Elijah Roles for the kidsRoles for the kids

Seder, cont.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 (Of Jews (Settings, Settings, p. 134, 137)p. 134, 137) Of GodOf God

What does it mean for Jews today?What does it mean for Jews today?

Ongoing development: Ongoing development: Rabbinic JudaismRabbinic Judaism

Major crisis: destruction of Jerusalem Temple by Major crisis: destruction of Jerusalem Temple by Romans in 70 CERomans in 70 CE

Need new ways to practice religion in diaspora, without a Need new ways to practice religion in diaspora, without a geographic center, Temple, or priesthoodgeographic center, Temple, or priesthood

Rabbis present new adaptable model: study and prayer Rabbis present new adaptable model: study and prayer in the synagogue and at homein the synagogue and at home

Focus on studyFocus on study Torah: Hebrew BibleTorah: Hebrew Bible Talmud (400-500 CE) includes:Talmud (400-500 CE) includes:

Mishnah (200 CE): record of oral tradition by rabbisMishnah (200 CE): record of oral tradition by rabbis Gemara: commentary on MishnahGemara: commentary on Mishnah 613 613 mitzvotmitzvot (commandments) (commandments)

Focus on ritual and prayer in home and synagogueFocus on ritual and prayer in home and synagogue Sabbath (Sabbath (shabbatshabbat), holidays, keeping ), holidays, keeping mitzvotmitzvot

Major change: Reform Major change: Reform JudaismJudaism

Assumption: “Jewish law, Assumption: “Jewish law, halachahhalachah, is an historical collection , is an historical collection of human responses to the divine.” (“Synagogues,” 100)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 GermanyDevelops in 1800s Germany Time of EnlightenmentTime of Enlightenment

Belief in universality of truth, known through reasonBelief in universality of truth, known through reason Religion seen as valuable for teaching moralsReligion seen as valuable for teaching morals Questioned religious authorities, scripturesQuestioned religious authorities, scriptures

Legal changesLegal changes Emancipation laws give Jews citizenshipEmancipation laws give Jews citizenship Many Jews see value in assimilating to European societyMany Jews see value in assimilating to European society

Adapted rabbinic Judaism to modern lifeAdapted rabbinic Judaism to modern life Focus on moral law and social justiceFocus on moral law and social justice Traditions are adaptableTraditions are adaptable

keeping kosher, observing Sabbath, studying Torah and Talmud keeping kosher, observing Sabbath, studying Torah and Talmud criticallycritically

Jewish Synagogue interior

Movements of JudaismMovements of Judaism

OrthodoxOrthodox About 10% of American JewsAbout 10% of American Jews Majority of Jews in Europe, IsraelMajority of Jews in Europe, Israel

ConservativeConservative Started in 1913 in U.S. as a middle ground between Started in 1913 in U.S. as a middle ground between

Reform and OrthodoxReform and Orthodox About 40-43% of American JewsAbout 40-43% of American Jews

ReformReform About 35-40% of American JewsAbout 35-40% of American Jews

ReconstructionistReconstructionist Started in 1967 in U.S.Started in 1967 in U.S.