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Judaism:
Tradition and Change
Distinctive characteristics
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Dialogical
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Jewish history is “a continuing dialogue with God” rooted in a
covenant
Both sides—people and God—participate
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The dialogue is grounded in each side’s obligations to covenant
Adaptive
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Often takes the form of argument in the Bible and rabbinic writings
Has changed, radically at times, to accommodate new cultures
and new challenges while preserving essential tradition
Ortho-praxis (“right practice”)
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Focus on keeping mitzvot (commandments) as expression of
covenant
Doctrine can vary widely
Ancient Israel: Historical setting
Developed in Mesopotamia ca. 3000 yrs ago
Tiny land, small group of people fighting for
survival
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Surrounded by powerful empires that rise and fall
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Akkadia, Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Greece, Rome
Yet incredibly influential in Western culture
Key ideas
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Monotheistic
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Contrasts with other Ancient Near Eastern religions
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Had multiple deities, consorts, were more like humans
Also had fertility gods and rituals; Creator might be hostile
In contrast, Israel’s God is different from humans
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Fundamental statement of belief: Shema Yisrael: “Hear O
Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One”
not male (no consort)
Always draws contrast (“Am I a man, that I should lie?”)
Calls humans to higher moral standards
But, cares deeply about people
Covenant
Central idea in Judaism
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God is revealed in history
History has an end goal, is meaningful
Belief is lived out practically
Covenants in Judaism
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God with Noah
God with Abraham (Gen 12, 15, 17)
Big one: God with Moses and Israel on Mt. Sinai
(book of Exodus)
Exodus Story
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Central narrative in Judaism
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Paradigm: continues to interpret new experiences
Retold each year in the Seder meal of Passover
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Remembers past, and interprets present circumstances as an
ongoing story of God’s liberation of the oppressed
Story that establishes identity
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Of God as liberator
Of Israel as a people of God
Of their covenantal relationship: each has obligations
Seder
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Haggadah
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Traditional story, blessings, songs, prayers
Yet flexible: many versions
Unites past, present, and future
Foods: symbols of Exodus story
Cup for Elijah
Roles for the kids
Seder, cont.
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What makes this a ritual?
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How does it disclose identity:
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What makes it meaningful?
Of Jews (Settings, p. 134, 137)
Of God
What does it mean for Jews today?
Ongoing development: Rabbinic
Judaism
Major crisis: destruction of Jerusalem Temple by Romans in 70
CE
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Need new ways to practice religion in diaspora, without a
geographic center, Temple, or priesthood
Rabbis present new adaptable model: study and prayer in the
synagogue and at home
Focus on study
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Torah: Hebrew Bible
Talmud (400-500 CE) includes:
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Mishnah (200 CE): record of oral tradition by rabbis
Gemara: commentary on Mishnah
613 mitzvot (commandments)
Focus on ritual and prayer in home and synagogue
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Sabbath (shabbat), holidays, keeping mitzvot
Major change: Reform Judaism
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Assumption: “Jewish law, halachah, is an historical collection of
human responses to the divine.” (“Synagogues,” 100)
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Redefined Judaism’s place in the modern world (101)
Develops in 1800s Germany
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Time of Enlightenment
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Legal changes
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Belief in universality of truth, known through reason
Religion seen as valuable for teaching morals
Questioned religious authorities, scriptures
Emancipation laws give Jews citizenship
Many Jews see value in assimilating to European society
Adapted rabbinic Judaism to modern life
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Focus on moral law and social justice
Traditions are adaptable
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keeping kosher, observing Sabbath, studying Torah and Talmud critically
Jewish Synagogue interior
Movements of Judaism
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Orthodox
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Conservative
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Started in 1913 in U.S. as a middle ground between Reform and
Orthodox
About 40-43% of American Jews
Reform
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About 10% of American Jews
Majority of Jews in Europe, Israel
About 35-40% of American Jews
Reconstructionist
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Started in 1967 in U.S.