THRS 3310 - Introduction to Judaism

5 credit hours
Mordecai Kaplan (a 20th-century rabbi, thinker, and Jewish innovator), described Judaism as “an evolving religious civilization.” This is a useful phrase, as Judaism has a) evolved and developed over time, and Jewish history has a significant impact on identity, ritual, and self-understanding even today; b) Judaism comprises elements that are arguably “religious”-sacred text, theology, laws, etc; and c) Judaism also comprises elements that are cultural-food, language, music, ethnicity, and worldview. Each of these elements plays an important role in contemporary Judaism, but no single element is required. For example, a person can be Jewish by birth, but also by conversion. A Jewish person can be an atheist. A person can be Jewish without any religious training, without ever having set foot in a synagogue. Hence, “Jewish” is an identifier that is complex and multi-faceted, and it does not compare easily with other “religions.” For this reason, we will pursue our study of Judaism with a historical framework, beginning with the early biblical period, moving into the modem period. Along the way, we will examine Jewish texts, practices, cultures, and beliefs. WR

Prerequisite Course(s): UCOR 2100