Questions for Huston Smith's chapter on Judaism:

  1. According to Smith, what was it that "lifted the Jews from obscurity to permanent religious greatness"?
  2. With regard to the Jewish belief in God, what was the "supreme achievement of Jewish thought"?  (See page 275-276)
  3. Describe Judaism's stance towards the material world.  And how does Smith distinguishes this position from both Hinduism and Taoism?  (see pages 276-279)
  4. On page 282, Smith writes:
        5. What are the ingredients of the most creatively meaningful image of human existence that the mind can conceive?  Remove human frailty . . . and the estimate becomes romantic.  Remove grandeur . . . and aspiration recedes.  Remove sin . . . and sentimentality threatens.  Remove freedom . . . and responsibility goes by the board.  Remove, finally, divine parentage and life becomes estranged, cut loose and adrift  on a cold, indifferent sea.
    In your own words, describe how this is reflective of a Jewish understanding of human existence.
  5. Smith lists four ways in which Judaism emphasizes the importance of history.  What are they?  And what are its consequences for Jewish thought? (See pages 282-286)
  6. What is the difference between the meaning Judaism finds in 'morality', compared with the meaning found in 'justice'?  What is the source for Jewish morality?  What is the source for the Jewish idea of justice?  (See pages 286-293)
  7. On page 295, Smith states that "the deepest meaning the Jews found in their exile was the meaning of vicarious suffering." Explain what this means in your own words.
  8. Smith lists three 'tensions' or 'polarities' in the messianic idea in Judaism.  Explain.  (See pages 296-299)
  9. Explain the importance of 'revelation' in Jewish thought.  Your explanation should make reference to the Law, Prophets, and to the experience of suffering.  (See pages 303-307)
  10. Explain what Smith means when he speaks of the Jewish doctrine of election as the "scandal of particularity"?  (See pages 307-310)
  11. Smith claims that there have been "two agonizing problems for the Jews" in the Twentieth century.  What are they?  And what makes these particular problems especially difficult for Judaism?
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