TRS 397 – Introduction to Judaism
Catholic University of America, Spring 2009
Rabbi Gilah Langner
202-364-3006 Please call weekdays between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. only.
E-mail: mailto:
Class Hours: T Th 9:35-10:50 a.m. Please be on time!
Office Hours: By appointment or after class
Welcome! This course will help you become familiar with Judaism as a civilization. Through class lectures and discussion, reading, and experiences, you will learn about the culture, rituals, theology, history, and core texts of the Jewish people. This survey course does not assume any prior knowledge of Judaism. Course goals are:
• Build an understanding of Judaism as a living and evolving civilization of the Jewish people.
• Become familiar with the concept of holiness and Jewish “sancta” – rituals, structure of prayer, holidays, text study, mitzvot, way of life, the land of Israel – as well as their bases in biblical and rabbinic sources.
• Understand the varieties of Jewish approaches to basic questions of the human condition – the nature of God, good and evil, mortality.
• Gain insights into your own religious background through an examination of a different religion.
• Develop an appreciation for the academic study of religion, and for critical reading of primary texts.
Course Requirements
There will be a mid-semester exam, an 8-page research paper, eight short written assignments, and a final exam. Please plan to attend all classes and complete all assignments as indicated on the syllabus. Grading will be based as follows:
Mid-Semester Exam: 20%
Research Assignment: 25%
Final Exam: 25%
Written Assignments: 15%
Class Attendance: 10%
Effort and Participation: 5%
Extra Work Bonus available: up to 5%.
Please keep a record of all your work, and a file of all work returned to you. If you use the computer lab, keep a copy of your papers. All written work done outside of class should be typed.
Readings: All readings are required unless otherwise noted and should be completed prior to the class session where they will be discussed. I may assign additional readings during the course once I get a sense of the level and interests of students.
Required Text: The required text for the course is Eliezer Segal, Introducing Judaism (Routledge, 2009), available at the CUA bookstore. Other assigned readings will be available on Blackboard or on reserve at the library. For the first few weeks of the course, you will also need to own or have access to a translation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).
Class Participation and Attendance: You are required to attend classes, to come prepared, to take notes, and to participate in the discussions. Students with special needs or concerns should speak with me so I can help meet your needs. Attendance at class is an essential element of this course. During the semester you may avail yourself of three free passes from class for whatever reason; after that, each absence from class will result in a one point deduction in your final grade. I strongly suggest you save your three free passes for later in the semester. Students who must be absent from class due to participation in university-sponsored events should notify me in advance of any such absence. If there is more than one such event per student, you will need to verify your participation in writing by the faculty supervisor of the event. Students are expected to be in class on time. Two late arrivals constitute one absence.
Research Paper: The purpose of the research paper is to allow you to develop a more detailed grasp of one element of Judaism. You are free to select a project of your choice for your research paper. Examples of previous papers include historical examinations of a particular time period, the architecture of the synagogue, Jewish music, changing roles of women in Judaism, etc. Please submit an outline of the research paper by March 10, including the topic, major sources, and major line of inquiry. This is particularly important so that I can offer advice on focusing the topic or finding good sources. The research assignment is due on March 31, 10:50 a.m. Papers received after that time will have an automatic deduction of 1 point for each class missed up to April 16. No papers will be accepted thereafter. Please submit your papers in hard copy, NOT by e-mail.
The research paper should be 8 pages long (up to 12 pages is acceptable). The title page and bibliography do not count in the 8 pages. The bibliography should include at least 4-5 works consulted (and hopefully quite a few more), primarily scholarly books and journal articles. Internet sources and the course textbooks can be a helpful starting point for your understanding of the subject matter; however, more scholarly sources should be used for researching the paper.
The paper will be graded on the basis of research conducted, analytical thinking, and presentation of ideas. Please take the time to print out your paper, PROOFREAD it for grammatical and typographical errors, make the necessary changes, and then submit a clean version. While I try not to grade these on the basis of writing, it is inevitable that poor writing will interfere with the presentation of your ideas and with my appreciation of your paper.
Students who do not wish to produce a written research paper are free to schedule an oral presentation of their research, supplemented by a 3-4 page detailed collection of notes and sources. The presentation should last approximately 10-15 minutes and should be organized and carefully thought through. I may ask questions at the end, but you should expect to present your research without any prompts. Oral presentations will be scheduled immediately following class on March 31.
Extra Work Bonus: If you think your grades could use a boost, you may wish to do a bonus project – read a Jewish book, watch a Jewish movie, attend a Jewish event – and write a 3-5 page paper on it (typed, hard copy). Please see information at the end of the syllabus on possible topics and the contents of the paper.
Written Assignments: The written assignments are aimed at encouraging you to read the required materials and THINK about them, on paper! Written assignments should be ready to be turned in at the start of the class on which they are due. Twice during the semester you may elect to turn in your assignment late (i.e., at the next class) without penalty. Late assignments will not be accepted after that.
The written assignments are an important part of the course and a significant source of your final grade. Please be sure you are willing to do this work! Writing should be typed, proofed, and edited. If you find writing a struggle, I encourage you to make use of the services of the Writing Center (http://english.cua.edu/wc3). Please carefully review the instructions in the syllabus for each written assignment. Written assignments must be turned in on hard copy; I cannot print out your assignments!
Reading Response assignments: Prepare a 1 page, typed (double spaced) reaction to the reading. Bullet points are acceptable. Your response should: Question! Criticize! Wonder! Argue! (or if all else fails: Summarize!) As you read, note what you are finding difficult, surprising, disturbing, inspiring, etc. Incorporate these reactions in your reading response. Try to make connections between the material you are reading and your own religious/cultural experiences.
Policy on plagiarism: Plagiarism and cheating are very serious matters. Engaging in either practice puts you at risk of failing the course. If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism or cheating, please ask me or consult the appropriate academic handbooks.
Introduction to Judaism
Syllabus – TRS 397 – Spring 2009
Rabbi Gilah Langner
Blackboard Access: User Name: TRS397LANG Password: ______
I. INTRODUCTION
Jan. 12 Welcome and Introduction
Topics: Studying religions, Judaism as a civilization, key concepts
Jan. 15 Prayer and Ritual: Synagogues
Topics: Synagogue architecture and design around the world, uses of the Bible in liturgy, prayer objects, shul etiquette, rabbis and cantors, role of women, denominational differences, Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Readings:
– Wylen, “What is a Jew?” Chapter 1 in Settings of Silver, pp. 3-14. (On Blackboard)
– George Robinson, pp. 7-19 (on Blackboard)
Written Assignment #1: Over the next three weeks, I would like you to attend a Sabbath service – preferably Saturday morning, but if necessary, Friday night. (See class handout for times and locations of services.) Before you visit, go to www.scheinerman.net/judaism/. Click on “Synagogue” in the Navigation Bar. Read the entry, then enter the door at the bottom of the next page and explore four or five of the links that follow, including “Who’s Who” and “What’s What” and “The Torah Scroll.”
After your visit, write a 2-3 page paper which:
– describes the service you attended (including the elements you’ve learned about such as prayer objects, role of rabbi/cantor, role of women vs. men, formality vs. informality);
– raises questions or issues; and
– explores how the experience differed from your expectations or previous experience with religious services. (2.5 points). Due by Feb. 10.
Jan. 20 No Class – Inauguration Day
II. SACRED ORIGINS: HISTORY, MYTH, TEXT
Jan. 22 Shaping the Hebrew Bible
Topics: Ancient Israelite Religion; Tanakh; Old Testament vs. Hebrew Scriptures; Bring your Bible to class!
Readings:
– Segal, Chapter 1, The Biblical Legacy, pp. 11-20.
– Choose a passage from asection of the Hebrew Bible that you are relatively unfamiliar with. For example:
– Read one of the five “Megillot” or scrolls in the Bible (Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, or Esther) or
– Read 5-10 chapters of Judges, Samuel, Kings, Ezra or Nehemiah
Due: Written Assignment #2: Prepare a 2-page paper on your biblical selection: (You may need to consult the Internet or other sources to adequately answer these questions.) (2.5 points)
– Summarize the selection from the Bible that you read and its main message(s) as understood in the Jewish tradition
– Discuss its literary context in the section of the Bible where it appears
– Explain how the passage is used in Jewish religious life (e.g., when is it read in services?) or how it relates to Jewish history.
– What surprised you or was new to you?
Jan. 27 Creation
Approaches to reading the Bible; development of theological ideas; biblical translations; one or two creation stories; Garden of Eden.
Readings:
– Genesis 1, 2, and 3
Bring your Bible or a copy of the chapters to class.
Please use any reputable Bible, and be prepared to explain what translation you are using. To learn more about different translations, go to: www.kencollins.com/bible-t2.htm To find a biblical translation online, go to: www.bible-researcher.com/links02.html and choose a link.
Jan. 29 Redemption
Exodus from Egypt, concepts of redemption and restoration, messianism.
Readings:
– Exodus, Chapters 1 through 6:13; Chapters 7 thru 12; Chapter 13:17 thru Chapter 15. (On Blackboard)
– Michael Walzer, Exodus and Revolution, pp. 3-17 (on Blackboard)
– Segal, Chapter 10: Israel’s Sacred History, pp. 163-178.
Bring your Bible to class!
Feb. 3 Revelation
Covenant; marriage at Sinai; holiday of Shavuot centrality of Torah; uses of Bible in Judaism; Written Torah vs. Oral Torah; Golden Calf, idolatry, patience.
Readings:
– Exodus 19-20; 32-33; Leviticus 19, 20 (On Blackboard)
– Neil Gillman, “God Reveals,” in The Way into Encountering God in Judaism, Chapter 8, pp. 145-163. (On Blackboard)
Bring your Bible to class!
Feb. 5 First Temple Period
Prophecy; exile and return; development of monotheism
Readings:
– Robert Goldenberg, “The Beginnings of Monotheism,” Chapter 2 in The Origins of Judaism, pp. 26-40.
Feb. 10 Prayer and Ritual: Liturgy
Topics: Building blocks of Jewish worship: Blessings, Shma, Amidah, Torah service; the Siddur (prayerbook), women in prayer.
Reading:
– Segal, Chapter 17, pp. 257-269.
Due: Written Assignment #1 (Visit to Jewish Services) is due today.
Feb. 12 Second Temple Period
Persian, Egyptian, Hellenistic rule; Ezra; Maccabeean revolt and the first kingdom of Judea; concepts: religious persecution, apocalypse, afterlife and resurrection; Intertestamental writings
Readings:
– Segal, Chapter 2, pp. 21-30.
– Lee Levine, “The Age of Hellenism,” Ch. 7 in Hershel Shanks (ed.), Ancient Israel, pp. 231-264.
Feb. 17 Rabbinic Judaism: The Tumultuous First Century CE
Topics: Conflict with Rome, emergence of early Christianity, events of 70 CE and 135 CE, development of rabbinic Judaism
Readings:
– Robert Goldenberg, “A Century of Disasters,” Chapter 7 in The Origins of Judaism, pp. 120-136.
– Shaye J.D. Cohen, “Roman Domination,” Ch. 8 in Hershel Shanks (ed.), Ancient Israel, pp. 265-298.
– Skim the account by Josephus, in War of the Jews, www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/war-6.htm
Feb. 19 The Question of Jesus;
Topics: Why didn’t Jews accept Jesus; Jewish understanding of the New Testament; Jewish-Christian relations in the first 400 years CE.
Readings:
– Julie Galambush, The Reluctant Parting, (selections) (On Blackboard)
– David Klinghoffer, Why the Jews Rejected Jesus, pp. 90-112.
Due: Written Assignment #3: Reader Response (1 point)
Feb. 24 Rabbinic Judaism: Midrash / Mid-term exam review
Readings:
– David Stern, “Midrash and Midrashic Interpretation,” in Jewish Study Bible, pp. 1863-1875. (On Blackboard)
– Segal, “Judaism of the Talmud and Midrash,” Chapter 3, pp. 40-59.
Time to start thinking about research paper topics!
Feb. 26 Mid-Term
Mar. 3 No Class – Spring Break
Mar. 5 No Class – Spring Break
Mar. 10 Rabbinic Judaism: Mishnah and Talmud
Readings:
– Segal, Chapter 3, pp. 40-59. (In case you missed it the first time)
– Explore Eliezer Segal’s “A Page from the Babylonian Talmud:” Get a feel for how a page of Talmud is organized and the range of Talmudic commentators across the centuries: www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/TalmudPage.html
Please submit topic and outline for research paper (including major sources and line of inquiry)
Mar. 12 Medieval Judaism Under Christianity and Islam
Topics: Restrictions and marginality, Christian “tolerance;” Dhimmi status under Islam; Jewish communal autonomy; Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewish communities; Rashi and Maimonides; development of commentaries, philosophy, and legal codes.