Category: Jewish Studies

Read all of the primary sources and article/s on the topic “Providence and Theodicy”. Feel free to research any other relevant sources that you find. Write a 5 page essay (double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, standard margins) on Maimonides’s view of the topic. You must cite at least four primary sources (meaning something that Maimonides wrote, two different chapters in the Guide count as two) and two secondary source (meaning written by a recent writer).
Make at least two references back to sources and/or methodologies that we discussed in class (for example content of Letter on Astrology, methodology we used in readings on prophecy). This should be taken out of the doc that’s called “Micah Goodman”
Clearly indicate what you are quoting from others. Do not simply summarize the sources. Include methodological considerations, questions, solutions, and why you chose that solution over others. Include also how you relate to this material: how does it compare with what you have learned before, do you find Maimonides’s approach helpful or confusing, is his approach relevant for a modern Jew or do you think another approach is better and if so which one and why.

A Palace in Time” Abraham Joshua Heschel’s The Sabbath Writing Assignment
In this assignment, your goal is to critically analyze A.J. Heschel’s interpretation of the Sabbath and its significance in Judaism, focusing on the distinction between space and time and the concept of teshuva (repentance) as elucidated in his work. The essay should be approximately 800-1000 words in length, typed and double-spaced, following standard formatting guidelines (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins).
Introduction
Heschel’s short book on the Sabbath describes the meaning of Judaism and a philosophy of life based upon that meaning. For Heschel, Judaism teaches humanity how to discover God not in the world of things, but in the realm of time. The world of things enslaves humanity to something lifeless (we work so hard to earn money that we forget what we are living for–remember the Rabbi Nachman story “The Master of Prayer,” it carries the same message). The realm of time opens up the possibility of freedom. Why? Because it makes a future possible that is not determined by the past, a future that is NEW. Heschel makes this point: “Time is perpetual innovation, a synonym for continuous creation.” But where do we get the future from, the possibility of beginning again after a failure, after acting in a way we regret? Says Heschel, we get this from God” (p.100).
Heschel says Judaism teaches that humanity meets God in the realm of time. But if every instant is a moment when we may feel the possibility of living differently, of “turning” to use the Jewish term (teshuva, often translated “repentance”), what is so special about the Sabbath? On the Sabbath, Heschel answers, humanity gets a sense of what the reward for teshuva is, namely, Paradise. The Sabbath requires that humans “turn” away from their enslavement to things and money and open themselves up to another dimension, the dimension of spirit. In fact, to “welcome the Sabbath bride,” to open oneself to the Sabbath, is itself “teshuva,” since it is a turning away from the weekday world and an acceptance of God’s dimension, an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty over all creation, and an acknowledgment that God awaits one the next instant if only one looks beyond the things in space that occupy one’s time. The Sabbath is Teshuva, and it is also the reward for it. Both at once. The instant one performs the “turn,” one gets the reward.
Choose one of the following paragraphs as a beginning for an essay dealing with Heschel’s ideas in his book.
Choice #1
Heschel’s book depends upon a sharp distinction between space and time. According to Heschel, things in space have a past and future but they do not have a real future. What they are is determined by what they have been. Only humans have a future, because only humans can experience time as a gift. But in order to experience time as gift, humans must first free themselves from things in space, which draw our lives away from the future and into the past, making us see ourselves in the things we have made or acquired. Choice #2
Heschel says that the Ten Commandments teach humanity not to covet the things of space, but to covet the things of time. Coveting the things of space is the selfish desire to take something that belongs to another, but coveting the things of time is the loving desire to share togetherness in time with God and one’s fellow humans. According to Heschel, the Sabbath is the day which God wishes us to covet.
Instructions:
Begin by selecting one of the provided paragraphs as the starting point for your essay.
Develop a comprehensive essay that explores Heschel’s ideas in his book on the Sabbath.
Provide a brief overview of Heschel’s central arguments regarding the distinction between space and time, emphasizing the unique significance of time in Judaism as a realm where humanity encounters God.
Analyze Heschel’s concept of teshuva and its relationship to the Sabbath.
Consider how the Sabbath serves as both a catalyst for and a culmination of teshuva, allowing individuals to transcend their worldly concerns and reconnect with the divine.
Reflect on Heschel’s assertion that the Sabbath represents a paradigm shift from the materialistic pursuits of daily life to a spiritual dimension. Discuss how this transformation is integral to experiencing the true essence of the Sabbath.
Incorporate relevant examples and quotations from Heschel’s work to support your analysis and enhance the clarity of your arguments.
Utilize additional scholarly sources (1-2 sources) to enrich your understanding of Heschel’s philosophy and provide broader context for your discussion.
Structure your essay logically, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that present and analyze key concepts, and a concise conclusion that summarizes your main points and offers insights or implications drawn from your analysis

“A Palace in Time” Abraham Joshua Heschel’s The Sabbath Writing Assignment
In this assignment, your goal is to critically analyze A.J. Heschel’s interpretation of the Sabbath and its significance in Judaism, focusing on the distinction between space and time and the concept of teshuva (repentance) as elucidated in his work. The essay should be approximately 800-1000 words in length, typed and double-spaced, following standard formatting guidelines (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins).
Introduction
Heschel’s short book on the Sabbath describes the meaning of Judaism and a philosophy of life based upon that meaning. For Heschel, Judaism teaches humanity how to discover God not in the world of things, but in the realm of time. The world of things enslaves humanity to something lifeless (we work so hard to earn money that we forget what we are living for–remember the Rabbi Nachman story “The Master of Prayer,” it carries the same message). The realm of time opens up the possibility of freedom. Why? Because it makes a future possible that is not determined by the past, a future that is NEW. Heschel makes this point: “Time is perpetual innovation, a synonym for continuous creation.” But where do we get the future from, the possibility of beginning again after a failure, after acting in a way we regret? Says Heschel, we get this from God” (p.100).
Heschel says Judaism teaches that humanity meets God in the realm of time. But if every instant is a moment when we may feel the possibility of living differently, of “turning” to use the Jewish term (teshuva, often translated “repentance”), what is so special about the Sabbath? On the Sabbath, Heschel answers, humanity gets a sense of what the reward for teshuva is, namely, Paradise. The Sabbath requires that humans “turn” away from their enslavement to things and money and open themselves up to another dimension, the dimension of spirit. In fact, to “welcome the Sabbath bride,” to open oneself to the Sabbath, is itself “teshuva,” since it is a turning away from the weekday world and an acceptance of God’s dimension, an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty over all creation, and an acknowledgment that God awaits one the next instant if only one looks beyond the things in space that occupy one’s time. The Sabbath is Teshuva, and it is also the reward for it. Both at once. The instant one performs the “turn,” one gets the reward.
Choose one of the following paragraphs as a beginning for an essay dealing with Heschel’s ideas in his book.
Choice #1
Heschel’s book depends upon a sharp distinction between space and time. According to Heschel, things in space have a past and future but they do not have a real future. What they are is determined by what they have been. Only humans have a future, because only humans can experience time as a gift. But in order to experience time as gift, humans must first free themselves from things in space, which draw our lives away from the future and into the past, making us see ourselves in the things we have made or acquired. Choice #2
Heschel says that the Ten Commandments teach humanity not to covet the things of space, but to covet the things of time. Coveting the things of space is the selfish desire to take something that belongs to another, but coveting the things of time is the loving desire to share togetherness in time with God and one’s fellow humans. According to Heschel, the Sabbath is the day which God wishes us to covet.
Instructions:
Begin by selecting one of the provided paragraphs as the starting point for your essay.
Develop a comprehensive essay that explores Heschel’s ideas in his book on the Sabbath.
Provide a brief overview of Heschel’s central arguments regarding the distinction between space and time, emphasizing the unique significance of time in Judaism as a realm where humanity encounters God.
Analyze Heschel’s concept of teshuva and its relationship to the Sabbath.
Consider how the Sabbath serves as both a catalyst for and a culmination of teshuva, allowing individuals to transcend their worldly concerns and reconnect with the divine.
Reflect on Heschel’s assertion that the Sabbath represents a paradigm shift from the materialistic pursuits of daily life to a spiritual dimension. Discuss how this transformation is integral to experiencing the true essence of the Sabbath.
Incorporate relevant examples and quotations from Heschel’s work to support your analysis and enhance the clarity of your arguments.
Utilize additional scholarly sources (1-2 sources) to enrich your understanding of Heschel’s philosophy and provide broader context for your discussion.
Structure your essay logically, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that present and analyze key concepts, and a concise conclusion that summarizes your main points and offers insights or implications drawn from your analysis

Read:
Genesis 2: 1-3
Exodus: 20:8-11
Read: Nahum Sarna, Exploring Exodus Chapter VII “The Ten Commandments: Moses and Monotheism” (focus on The Sabbath) (located on D2l under Content)
Compare the way the Sabbath is described, explained and outlined in Genesis 2: 1-3 and Exodus 20: 8-11. Discuss the revolutionary notion of equality as you read Exodus 20: 8-11. In what ways does the biblical idea of keeping the Sabbath provide for social justice within the family, household and community? Integrate highlights from Nahum Sarna’s discussion of the history of the biblical Sabbath in Exploring Exodus.

Read: Chapter 9 : Kass, Leon. The Beginning of Wisdom : Reading Genesis. New York: Free Press, 2003.
Read: Genesis 11-26
What does the term patriarchy mean in the biblical context? What does the Bible mean by “father,” “fatherhood,” “fathering” and the rule of the fathers? Who are the Israelite matriarchs? Who is Abram? How would you characterize him? What trials must he go through in his encounters with God? (see chart on p. 263). Analyze the trials, instances when God “commands, other instances when God “promises” and instances where God intervenes. What are the main concerns of these various trials? Are these episodes political, why or why not? After studying Genesis the way Kass presents it, do you think the Bible is a work of philosophy – why or why not? Draw on the Kass reading and the Book of Genesis. You might consider rereading the Levenson essay from Lesson #3.

Learning outcomes:
be able to summarize what you have learned about one major Jewish ethics concept
be able to communicate this information to a general audience
Directions:
Overview: You will create an infographic that explains one of these Jewish ethical concepts:
geneivat da’at;
lashon hara;
lifnei iver;
tochecha/rebuke;
bal taschit; or
pikuach nefesh
1. Read the infographic rubric below
2. View the examples for reference: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2013/12/03/infographic-survey-of-jewish-americans/
https://visual.ly/tag/judaism
2. Create your infographic.
Elements of the infographic that are required:
100% correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Choice of ONE Jewish ethical concept from the list above.
A clear definition of the ethical concept
An explanation of the ethical concept and how it might appear in or apply to real-world situations. This explanation can be in any combination of text and graphics, but it must be YOUR ORIGINAL WORK. No quotations from assigned texts except to support or illustrate your concept.
Proper citation of the text or texts you used for information.

Learning outcomes:
be able to summarize what you have learned about one major Jewish ethics concept
be able to communicate this information to a general audience
Directions:
Overview: You will create an infographic that explains one of these Jewish ethical concepts:
geneivat da’at;
lashon hara;
lifnei iver;
tochecha/rebuke;
bal taschit; or
pikuach nefesh
1. Read the infographic rubric below
2. View the examples for reference: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2013/12/03/infographic-survey-of-jewish-americans/
https://visual.ly/tag/judaism
2. Create your infographic.
Elements of the infographic that are required:
100% correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Choice of ONE Jewish ethical concept from the list above.
A clear definition of the ethical concept
An explanation of the ethical concept and how it might appear in or apply to real-world situations. This explanation can be in any combination of text and graphics, but it must be YOUR ORIGINAL WORK. No quotations from assigned texts except to support or illustrate your concept.
Proper citation of the text or texts you used for information.

Research paper 4000 to 4500 words with atleast 15 references about “Preserving Jewish Heritage in India: Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century”