1. A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation
JUDAISm
A Kingdom of Priests
and a Holy Nation

2. Covenant Not the language of biblical Israel
(justice, kindness, loyalty, Temple)
Emerges 7th c. bce – Deuteronomy
Multiple forms over time
(Standing Again at Sinai
– J Plaskow, 1990)

3. Covenant Abraham & Sarah – Gen 15, 17 Abram ► Abraham Sarai ► Sarah
Homeless & Barren►
Land, Abundant Offspring,
Nations & Kings
Sign: Circumcision

4. Covenant Moses and Israel – Exodus 19
“I have brought you out [of Egypt],
so you shall be my people.”
Slaves to Pharaoh ►
Kingdom of Priests
and Holy Nation
Sign: Torah (Exod 20)

5. Covenant The category or symbol that affirms:
Redemption – saved by God
Transformation – created anew
Sign – your reminder and God’s,
witness to the world

6. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord.”
Covenant
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God
is the one Lord.”
The Yoke of Torah – all that God reveals
Bible, midrash (commentary)
commandments (613)
Talmud (application)

7. Discuss the passage on the handout (Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 24a ).
Torah
Discuss the passage
on the handout
(Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 24a ).
What is its key point?

8. “The world is supported by three things.” –Pirke Avot 1:2
Torah, Worship, Good Deeds
“The world is supported by
three things.” –Pirke Avot 1:2

9. Worship
Three times daily
(dawn, afternoon, evening)
Three main segments:
The Shma – “Hear O Israel”
The Amida – fixed 19-part prayer
Torah Reading (Mon, Thur, Shabbat)

10. Worship
Communal event
Cantor leads, rabbi teaches
Congregants “lead” the Torah reading
– positions of honor

11. “Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath” Usual evening service, plus…
Worship
“Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath”
Usual evening service, plus…
– sanctifying the Shabbat
with candles

12. Worship
“Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath”
Usual evening service, plus…
– special prayers & music

13. “Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath” Usual evening service, plus…
Worship
“Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath”
Usual evening service, plus…
– receiving the
“Shabbat bride”

14. “Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath” Usual evening service, plus…
Worship
“Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath”
Usual evening service, plus…
– honoring the Torah

15. “Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath” Usual evening service, plus…
Worship
“Welcoming the Shabbat/Sabbath”
Usual evening service, plus…
– blessing the
Shabbat meal/s

16. Repeated biblical promise “this land” End of Exile, restoration
Covenant and Land
Repeated biblical promise
“this land”
– multiple boundaries
End of Exile, restoration
of sovereignty
“Zionism” – many kinds
Key political divides in Israel today

17. Covenant and Modernity
Reform (1840s Germany)
– ethical monotheism
and individualism

18. Covenant and Modernity
Orthodox (response to Reform)
– Torah observance and rabbinic authority

19. Covenant and Modernity
Conservative (amendment of Reform)
– communal authority – as much/as much

20. Covenant and Modernity
Reconstructionist (universalist impulses)
– distinctive, but not unique

21. 1654 – Refugee Jews from Brazil
Judaism in America
1840s – “liberal” Jewish immigration
1880s – Eastern European wave
1885 – Conservative Jewish seminary
1934 – Reconstructionist Judaism
1960s – Black-Jewish alliances
1972 – 1st American woman rabbi
1654 – Refugee Jews from Brazil

22. Temple Emanuel 1115 Mississippi Avenue, Davenport qctemple.org
Rabbi Linda Bertenthal (since 2018)
1851 – Mt. Nebo Cemetery
1861 – Bnai Israel Congregation
1953 – current location

23. Temple Emanuel 1115 Mississippi Avenue, Davenport qctemple.org
Friday, 2 August 2019
6:00 pm – intro with Rabbi Bertenthal
6:30 pm – welcoming the Shabbat
7:30 pm (approx.) – community dinner

24. A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation
JUDAISm
A Kingdom of Priests
and a Holy Nation