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Syllabus: Introduction to Judaism

Course Description

Assignment Schedule

  The reading specified for a class meeting is supposed to be finished by the class meeting, and will be the subject of class discussion. Each reading assignment has associated Study Questions. You may see a listing of Study Questions by clicking here 6.

Week One: Jan 7 and 9

Tuesday: Introductory Class
Wednesday: Read theLiturgy for the Sabbath Day in the Course Reader.

Week Two: Jan 12, 14, 16

Monday: Read pages 1-46 in The Passover Seder.
Wednesday: Read pages 47-73 in The Passover Seder.

Week Three: Jan 21, 23

Wednesday: Read pages 75-127 in The Passover Seder
Friday: Read pages 1-53 in The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan

Week Four: Jan 26, 28, 30

Monday: Read pages 101-128 in The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan.
Wednesday: Read pages 1-48 in The Messianic Idea in Judaism.

Week Five: Feb 2, 4, 6

Monday: Read pages 49-77 in The Messianic Idea in Judaism.
Wednesday: Read pages 78-108 in The Messianic Idea in Judaism.

Week Six: Feb 9, 11, 13

Monday: Read pages 108-141 in The Messianic Idea in Judaism.
Wednesday: Read Robert Alter's "Sabbatai Zvi and the Jewish Imagination" (14 pages) in the Course Reader.

Week Seven: Feb 18, 20

Wednesday: Read pages 17-63 in The Mystic Quest.
Friday: Read pages 65-88 in The Mystic Quest.

Week Eight: Feb 23, 25, 27

Monday: Read pages 89-109 and 139-162 in The Mystic Quest.
Wednesday: Read pages 163-189 in The Mystic Quest.

Week Nine: March 2, 4, 6

Monday: Read Samuel Dresner's "The Zaddik" and "The Descent of the Zaddik" (59 pages) in the Course Reader.
Wednesday: Read pages 176-202 ("The Neutralization of the Messianic Idea") in The Messianic Idea in Judaism.

Week Ten: March 9, 11, 13

Monday: Read Rabbi Nachman's "The Master of Prayer" (39 pages) in the Course Reader.
Wednesday: Read Rabbi Nachman's ``The Seven Beggars'' (38 pages) in the Course Reader.

Week Eleven: March 16, 18

Monday: Read pages 3-55 (actually 40 pages) in Heschel's The Sabbath.
Wednesday: Read pages 59-101 (actually 30 pages) in Heschel's The Sabbath.