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Tradition and change in the modern period

RELIG 210: Introduction to Judaism February 18, 2009. Tradition and change in the modern period. Reconcile Judaism and Enlightenment Judaism=Religion Universal over Particular Ethical over Legal Progress. Response 1: Modernist. Begins in Europe moves to U.S.

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Tradition and change in the modern period

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  1. RELIG 210: Introduction to Judaism February 18, 2009 Tradition and change in the modern period

  2. Reconcile Judaism and Enlightenment Judaism=Religion Universal over Particular Ethical over Legal Progress Response 1: Modernist

  3. Begins in Europe moves to U.S. • 1817-New Isrealite Temple Association (On-line Reading) • God-Ideal of ethical consciousness • Torah-Revelation of Reason • Historical husk (ceremonial) vs. moral core • Israel-The Mission Theory • Mitzvah-Ethical Commandments • Messiah-Universal Integration Reform Movement

  4. Created in Response to Reform (EJ, 535) Divine Authority of Written and Oral Torah Reject Progress Criteria for Change “Torah” and “Science” Mitzvot are binding-Ethical Meaning Messiah-Redemption in Land and Loyal Citizens Orthodox Movement

  5. Called Conservative in the U.S. Accept Halakhah/Mizvot and historical change Torah-Evolution of man’s relationship with the divine Tradition and change Positive-Historical Movement

  6. Central and Eastern European Similar to Orthodox (Mitzvah, Halakhah) Reject modern political, social, philosophical thought Premodern Messiah Present as authentic tradition Are they? Response 2: Traditionalist/Ultra-Orthodox

  7. “…May your mind not turn to evil and never engage in corruptible partnership with those fond of innovations, who, as a penalty for our many sins, have strayed from the Almighty and His law…Be warned not to change your Jewish names, speech, and clothing--God forbid…Never say: ‘Times have changed!’…The order of prayer and synagogue shall remain forever as it has been up to now, and no one may presume to change anything of its structure.” --Rabbi Moses Sofer, 1762-1839

  8. God-Tool for exploitation • Torah-National Culture, History • No Halakhah, Mitzvot (commandment) • Israel-Persecuted People ready for freedom • Messiah-Revolutionary Fervor Response 3: Secularist

  9. Zionism: Jewish Nationalism

  10. Revolutionary Social change through socialism Join Jewish workers with non-Jewish revolutionaries Bundism

  11. Originates as a left branch of Conservative Judaism in 1968 “Evolving Religious Civilization” Rejection of a Supernatural God Torah-Jewish Folkways Israel-Civilization, not Religion Reconstructionist

  12. Major challenges of modernity • Emancipation-Voluntary • Enlightenment-Reason • Diverse Spectrum of responses • All experience significant change To Sum up…

  13. To Change or Not to Change? • Liturgy is at the core of Jewish life • Transforming liturgy would… • Maintaining liturgy would… • What are other options?

  14. All Modern Movements Respond To… • Social Factors • Intellectual Factors • Aesthetic Factors • Technological Factors • Cultural Norms

  15. Reform Movement • Reconfigure prayer and ritual to meet new criteria • Music • Decorum (seating) • Language • Meaning • Political Status

  16. Remu Synagoge, Krakow, Poland

  17. Great Synagogue-Budapest

  18. Changes in Liturgy and Ritual • How does the Reform Amidah differ from rabbinic liturgy? • What are the major additions, deletions, changes?

  19. Orthodox Movement • Aesthetic Changes • Addition of vernacular sermon • Cantorial music • Gender roles constant--to some extent • Art Scroll and English language

  20. The Conservative Movement • Minor liturgical changes • Adopted many aesthetic, cultural changes

  21. Women, Feminism, and the Transformation of Judaism • Women in Rabbinic Judaism • Scripture and Tradition • Theology • Authority • Worship and Ritual • Debates about gender role sparks innovation and division

  22. Three Major Influences • Liturgical Innovations • Leadership and community • Ritual and Music

  23. Liturgical Innovations • Is God a “He” or a “She” • Marcia Falk on God language

  24. “Praised are You (masc), Lord our God, King of the universe whose mitzvot add holiness to our lives, cherishing us through the gift of His holy Shabbat granted lovingly, gladly, a reminder of Creation…Thus You have chose us, endowing us with holiness, from among all peoples by granting us your holy Shabbat lovingly and gladly. Praised are You (masc) who hallows Shabbat” “Let us bless the source of life that ripens fruit on the vine as we hallow the seventh day--the Sabbath day--in remembrance of creation, for the Sabbath is first among holy days, recalling the exodus and the covenant.”

  25. Women in Leadership • When was the first woman rabbi ordained? • How have women rabbis effected authority and communal structures? • Across denominations • Jewish Women's Archive Exhibit • Ezrat Nashim-Jewish Women Call For..

  26. Women and Worship • Dvorah’s Song and Miriam’s Song • Source: Judge 4:12 Arise, arise Devorah. Arise, arise, and sing a song. Arise, arise, Devorah. Devorah, the prophet, was a judge in Israel/ She sat beneath her palm tree on a hill, and people came form everywhere just to hear her judgments honest and fair. Devorah, the prophet, Devorah a mother in Israel.

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