Jewish Studies 10 - 3

Dr. Saundra Sterling Epstein

Updated 3/22/10

WE ARE CONTINUING OUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND APPROACHES REGARDING HOW WE ADDRESS THEODICY.  WE ARE NOW MOVING TO OUR UNIT ON "SACHAR V'ONESH" -- REWARD AND PUNISHMENT.  AFTER THIS, WE WILL MOVE ONTO A STUDY OF ELEMENTS OF TEFILAH/PRAYER AS EXPRESSION OF THE MANY CONCEPTS AND CONCERNS WE HAVE SHARED THIS YEAR IN OUR STUDY.

It continues to be so special to share this learning experience with my friends in this group.  We are still learning (is it ever completed?!) all about the "tough stuff" and having wonderful "quicksand" arguments/discussions about G-d, our place in the world, free choice and so much else.  We are learning texts, studying difficult concepts and looking at many different approaches to G-d and life.  Thus far, we have been introduced to:

Texts from Tanach

Selected texts from Talmud

Sforno

Ramban

Rambam

Rav Kook

Chaim and Hershl from "The Quarrel"

Elisha ben Abuyah from "As A Driven Leaf"

Rabbi Harold Kushner

Rav Soleveichik

Rabbi David Ellenson

Ramchal

Iyov and his friends

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Andrew Wiles

The Israeli soldiers from Shovrim HaShtika

More texts from the Talmud...... (our focus in March - April)

and the list will continue to grow and grow.... and of course, the collective thinking and experiences of all members of our circle of learners.

Students will be completing weekly (or so) assignments for the next month and a half as we move through our study of this Talmudic text.

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Ongoing activities and assessed involvements:

Daily participation

Tracking Quizzes

Nightly Assignments

Competency Quizzes

Long range assignments

Chevrutah/group work

In this class, students are also encouraged to do journal writing whenever it is deemed appropriate and helpful.

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Present Assignments:

Completion of weekly assignments for the next month and a half.

A major paper on Tefillah and applying the questions of our study will be due on June 7, 2010.

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