1. RELIG 210: Introduction to Judaism Prof. Noam Pianko
Lecture 1: What is Judaism?
RELIG 210: Introduction to Judaism Prof. Noam Pianko

2. Introductions Index Cards Name
What do you hope to get out of this course?
Have you taken any other courses in Judaism (none expected!)
Open to students with different backgrounds
Lot of material, espcially at start of quarter
Some (probably minority) grew up with Jewish background
Others very little background
Each have challenges
Little background-New vocabulary, very different ideas
Advantage-learning things fresh-no preconceived notins
Ask questions!

3. “The Daily” January 5, 2009
“The Religion [Judaism] is the same and always has been.”

4. A SnapShot of judaism today
Bobover (Ultra-Orthodox) Wedding
Craig Taubman Chanukah Concert
Happy New Year (Shana Tova) in Israeli Kids Show (7:30 seconds)
Tikkun Olam (Repair the World)

5. What differences do you notice?

6. Theology/Beliefs Diverse, and even opposing, ideas about God
Anthropomorphic God of Rabbinic literature
Aristotelian “unmoved mover” of Medievel Philosophy
Mystical conception of divine sparks in the world
Secular conceptions
No Creed or dogma
No word for religion in Hebrew
Jewish law

7. Practice/ritual
What rituals (actions with symbolic meaning) and forms of worship does Judaism proscribe?
Liturgy, language, content
Why observe these rituals?
Divine command, culture, pragmatic benefit

8. Worship

9. communal standards and authority
How are Boundaries determined?
Dress
Language
Who has authority?
Who establishes norms?

10. Political ideology
Attitude toward diaspora and State of Israel

11. Shared backdrop of torah narrative
People of the Book-Text Centered Tradition
Torah (“teaching” or “instruction”)
Specific-5 Books of Moses in Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)
More General-Teachings of the Jewish Tradition

12. Torah Scroll

13. Text-centered community
Diversity Expressions of Judaism reflect genuine interpretation of Torah
Understanding scripture is dynamic process
Expertise in text is source of authority
Torah study as religious ideal
Text study as religious experience
Footnote Moshe Halbertal-=God present in studying text
Constitution-same text leads to different conclusion-what unites them-they all quote the constitution

14. Torah Narrative God as unique creator
Covenant between God and Jewish people
God as revealer of Torah
God as redeemer

15. But, what does it mean to live by torah?
What constitutes Torah?
What are the rules of its interpretation?
In what ways are sources binding?

16. Several interpretive frameworks
National or “familial” narrative
Story of a particular people linked by shared history
Patriarchs/Matriarchs, Exodus, Land of Israel, Sovereignty, Exile
Revelation and Tradition
Covenant and commandments
Ethical Monotheism- “Light unto the Nations”
Tradition and Change

17. Goals for the course
Gain familiarity with central texts and expressions of Judaism
Explore diversity of “Judaisms”
Appreciate the dynamic between tradition and change
Expand conceptions of religion

18. Course overview Written Torah (Tanakh) (EJ. 259)
Central narratives and themes
God, Torah, and Israel (1900BCE-70CE)
Oral Torah (Rabbinic Period) (70CE-632)
Interpretation as Religious Practice
Halacha and Aggadah
Jewish Time-Holidays and Lifecycle
Liturgy

19. Course overview, cont Medieval Jewish Thought (1200-1600)
Jewish Mysticism (15th century->)
Interpretation in Modernity (1800->)
Intellectual challenges to scriptural authority
Social transformation for Jews
Contemporary Trends

20. Syllabus review Requirements Books and Readings Course Web Site
Papers, quizzes, and final
Books and Readings
Finding Biblical verses
Print out electronic reserves
Course Web Site
Course TA, Jill Weinstein
Volunteers to move section