Seek the Truth From Whoever Says It
-- Moses Maimonides (1138-1204)
This course in an introduction to Judaism from both analytical and historical perspectives. The term "Judaism," like every "ism," refers to something abstract and conceptual. In modern parlance it is the term used often to refer to the Jewish religion, but then again, some Jewish secularists would claim that there is a secular, i.e., non-religious, Judaism. In fact, there are those who wish to do away with the term altogether, preferring to spell out "Jewish literature", "Jewish culture", "Jewish literature", etc, or, using traditional terminology, "Torah and commandments" or just "Torah." In our class we shall focus on different ways of understanding the classical concepts of Judaism, bearing in mind that this is a highly contentious topic.
To familiarize students with fundamental concepts of (rabbinic) Judaism as they have developed over the years, from four different perspectives: Biblical, Rabbinic, Philosophical, and Kabbalistic. There is writing and thinking in this course. Much thought will be put into the research paper and the primary source assignments (PSA's). .
1. Introducing Judaism, Eliezer Segal. Really important to buy this one.
2. Contemporary Jewish Religious Thought , ed. Paul Mendes-Flohr and Arthur Cohen (New York: Scribners, 1987). This book is currently backordered and you can just download the appropriate chapters from the class website.
2.The Jewish Study Bible, Adele Berlin and Marc Brettler (Oxford University Press, 2004).
3. Unit Readings for the Primary Source Assignments, (to be downloaded from our course's website, or to be purchased as a Beljean course pack at the Maryland Book Exchanges. You have a choice, but the Maryland Book Exchange is not cheap. See Units and Lectures.)
Around ten (10) Primary Source Assignments (PSA's) due weekly (30% of grade; I drop the lowest one, so each one counts for 3 1/3 % of final grade).
8-10-Page Paper on a Concept of Your Choice (40% of grade)
10-Page Final Take-Home Exam (30% of grade)
I take attendance. 2 points on final grade for perfect attendance. 1 point reduced from final grade for third and subsequent unexecused absence.
Contact Information and Office Hours
Charles H. Manekin 301-405-4253 manekinc@umd.edu
Monday and Wednesday, 12-1, 1121A Skinner Building, or by appointment.
Email is the preferred way to reach me.