Review Questions What is Wissenschaft des Judentums?

Where was this phrase coined? What was the Society for the Culture and

Science of the Jews? What were the Society’s main concerns? What were it’s goals?

Modern Jewish Studies II

Why and How to Study Judaism as an Academic Discipline

Purpose: Emancipation Concerned with political issues and

integration “A Society to Further Jewish

Integration by Eduard Gans” (1822) Jews once developed a united,

separate community Today must become integrated

(ex. Like the river in the ocean.) Scientific study of Judaism will pull

down barriers between Christians and Jews.

Purpose: Study Leopold Zunz (1794-1886)

Academic scholar Many positions

Newspaper editor Preacher – Reform Temple Elementary school director

On Rabbinic Literature (1818) “Contribute to human knowledge, the

only worthwhile goal of all research.” Need to scientifically study all Jewish

texts Religious Law Liturgy Hebrew

Purpose: Religion Concerned with adaptation

and evolution of Judaism “Jewish Scholarship and

Religious Reform” by Abraham Geiger (1836) Reform rooted in Scholarship Jewish literature is not divine Disservice to our children when

teach Bible stories as history

Orthodox Response Not all Jews embraced

Wissenschaft des Judentums

A Sermon on the Science of Judaism by Samson Raphael Hirsch (1855) Scientific study too

cold/rational Live Judaism, don’t study it

“Learning Based on Faith” Primary Source Study (p. 236, From “The Wisdom

of Israel” – end) Excerpt from article by Samuel David Luzzatto Tanaim and Amoraim – ancient rabbis and teachers

whose teachings are found in the Talmud. Additional Questions

Why does Luzzatto think Judaism should be studied scientifically?

With which group we’ve studied tonight would you put him? Why?

Why do you think this document is significant?

Twentieth Century: Change Jewish Scholarship: New

Perspective Martin Buber Study in order to understand

origins, development and present condition

Documenting Jewish History in Eastern Europe Simon Dubnow Sociological method

Jewish Studies: Today Use tools provided by earlier scholars Reform & Conservative Judaism - Evolving

Judaism Why do you think Wissenschaft des Judentums is

significant?

Next Week: Quiz Read pages 249 - 301 Special attention to documents #1, 5, 12,

16, 18, 19, and 23 Think about:

What was Jewish identity like prior to Emancipation?

How does Jewish identity change after Emancipation?

Are these changes still apparent today?