Seminar in Jewish Thought: Judaism, State, and Religion

What happens when politics and religion collide? What are the limits of human and divine authority? One ancient historian called Judaism a “theocracy.” Yet throughout its history, Judaism has been subject to external political authority. We will study the fraught relationship between politics and religion, beginning with the Bible, continuing through Talmudic and medieval debates on religious law, and concluding with contemporary controversies both in and beyond the state of Israel. Readings include the Bible (First and Second Samuel, Deuteronomy, and prophetic texts), Talmud and rabbinic literature, Maimonides, Spinoza, and Moses Mendelssohn. 3 hrs. sem.