relig 210: introduction to judaism prof. noam pianko

Lecture 2: The Bible?

Prince of Egypt Best Hanukkah Moments

What is the Torah? What does “Torah” mean?

List two themes present in Genesis or Exodus

Describe one event chronicled in the Prophets or Writings

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Hebrews Israelites-Children of Jacob/Israel Jews-Book of Esther Judaism Hebrew Bible/TaNaCh

Torah (5 Books of Moses) Establishment of covenant Promise (land, seed) and Warnings

Nevi’im (Prophets) Covenant Broken Exile, Loss of Land

Ketuvim (writings) Covenant restored

What would go into foundational text?

Not a Law code Not only “religion” Not a history book Instruction, teaching

What forms does it take? Laws Narrative Genealogies Poems Songs prayers

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Lecture 1Introduction to Judaism

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Abraham’s Migration to Canaan Jacob and his sons flee to Egypt Enslavement of Israelites in Egypt Moses-“Let My People Go” Exodus from Egypt (c 13th century BCE) Wandering in the Sinai Desert Israelite Conquest of Canaan Federation of tribes and rule by Judges (13-

11th century BCE)

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Lecture 1Introduction to Judaism

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Ambiguous Terse No clear message World-plays- Bible as literature Problem of translation

Lekh lekha/Go Forth Barren/Birth of Isaac/Hagar Binding of Isaac Isaac and Rebecca Twins: Jacob and Esau/Birthright Blessing God Wrestling-Yisrael The Switch: Jacob, Leah, and Rachel Famine, Egypt, Joseph as Advisor to

Pharoah

Brainstorm three lessons… Note: There is no correct answer! Focus on Biblical text, not other

readings you might bring

Tribes-kinship, diversity, shared history Imperfect beginnings Ethical principles

“Underdog” mentality Empathy compassion

Covenant Exile

“Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bles you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 11)

First commandment in the Torah

“Now then, if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples.” (19:5)

Then God spoke all these words, saying: I am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage: You shall have no other gods besides me…” (20:1)

See also Deuteronomy 30

What is the difference? What is the significance of the tension?

Patriarch Egypt Golden Calf Arrival in Promised Land Kingdom Exile Return Exile