Transcript Lecture 12
RELIG 210: Introduction to Judaism February 18, 2009 TRADITION AND CHANGE IN THE MODERN PERIOD RESPONSE 1: MODERNIST Reconcile Judaism and Enlightenment Judaism=Religion Universal over Particular Ethical over Legal Progress REFORM MOVEMENT Begins in Europe moves to U.S. God-Ideal of ethical consciousness Torah-Revelation of Reason 1817-New Isrealite Temple Association (On-line Reading) Historical husk (ceremonial) vs. moral core Israel-The Mission Theory Mitzvah-Ethical Commandments Messiah-Universal Integration ORTHODOX MOVEMENT Created in Response to Reform (EJ, 535) Divine Authority of Written and Oral Torah Reject Progress Criteria for Change “Torah” and “Science” Mitzvot are binding-Ethical Meaning Messiah-Redemption in Land and Loyal Citizens POSITIVE-HISTORICAL MOVEMENT Called Conservative in the U.S. Accept Halakhah/Mizvot and historical change Torah-Evolution of man’s relationship with the divine Tradition and change RESPONSE 2: TRADITIONALIST/ULTRAORTHODOX Central and Eastern European Similar to Orthodox (Mitzvah, Halakhah) Reject modern political, social, philosophical thought Premodern Messiah Present as authentic tradition Are they? “…May your mind not turn to evil and never engage in corruptible partnership with those fond of innovations, who, as a penalty for our many sins, have strayed from the Almighty and His law…Be warned not to change your Jewish names, speech, and clothing--God forbid…Never say: ‘Times have changed!’…The order of prayer and synagogue shall remain forever as it has been up to now, and no one may presume to change anything of its structure.” -Rabbi Moses Sofer, 1762-1839 RESPONSE 3: SECULARIST God-Tool for exploitation Torah-National Culture, History No Halakhah, Mitzvot (commandment) Israel-Persecuted People ready for freedom Messiah-Revolutionary Fervor Zionism: Jewish Nationalism BUNDISM Revolutionary Social change through socialism Join Jewish workers with non-Jewish revolutionaries RECONSTRUCTIONIST Originates as a left branch of Conservative Judaism in 1968 “Evolving Religious Civilization” Rejection of a Supernatural God Torah-Jewish Folkways Israel-Civilization, not Religion TO SUM UP… Major challenges of modernity Emancipation-Voluntary Enlightenment-Reason Diverse Spectrum of responses All experience significant change TO CHANGE OR NOT TO CHANGE? Liturgy is at the core of Jewish life Transforming liturgy would… Maintaining liturgy would… What are other options? ALL MODERN MOVEMENTS RESPOND TO… Social Factors Intellectual Factors Aesthetic Factors Technological Factors Cultural Norms REFORM MOVEMENT Reconfigure prayer and ritual to meet new criteria Music Decorum (seating) Language Meaning Political Status Remu Synagoge, Krakow, Poland Great Synagogue-Budapest CHANGES IN LITURGY AND RITUAL How does the Reform Amidah differ from rabbinic liturgy? What are the major additions, deletions, changes? ORTHODOX MOVEMENT Aesthetic Changes Addition of vernacular sermon Cantorial music Gender roles constant--to some extent Art Scroll and English language THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT Minor liturgical changes Adopted many aesthetic, cultural changes WOMEN, FEMINISM, AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF JUDAISM Women in Rabbinic Judaism Scripture and Tradition Theology Authority Worship and Ritual Debates about gender role sparks innovation and division THREE MAJOR INFLUENCES Liturgical Innovations Leadership and community Ritual and Music LITURGICAL INNOVATIONS Is God a “He” or a “She” Marcia Falk on God language “Praised are You (masc), Lord our God, King of the universe whose mitzvot add holiness to our lives, cherishing us through the gift of His holy Shabbat granted lovingly, gladly, a reminder of Creation…Thus You have chose us, endowing us with holiness, from among all peoples by granting us your holy Shabbat lovingly and gladly. Praised are You (masc) who hallows Shabbat” “Let us bless the source of life that ripens fruit on the vine as we hallow the seventh day--the Sabbath day-in remembrance of creation, for the Sabbath is first among holy days, recalling the exodus and the covenant.” WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP When was the first woman rabbi ordained? How have women rabbis effected authority and communal structures? Across denominations Jewish Women's Archive Exhibit Ezrat Nashim-Jewish Women Call For.. WOMEN AND WORSHIP Dvorah’s Song and Miriam’s Song Source: Judge 4:12 Arise, arise Devorah. Arise, arise, and sing a song. Arise, arise, Devorah. Devorah, the prophet, was a judge in Israel/ She sat beneath her palm tree on a hill, and people came form everywhere just to hear her judgments honest and fair. Devorah, the prophet, Devorah a mother in Israel.