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Evolution of Wissenschaft des Judentums: Impact and Significance

Explore the origins, goals, and responses to Wissenschaft des Judentums in Jewish Studies, its contribution to academia, and the modern evolution of Jewish scholarship and identity.

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Evolution of Wissenschaft des Judentums: Impact and Significance

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  1. 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?

  2. Modern Jewish Studies II Why and How to Study Judaism as an Academic Discipline

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. “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?

  8. 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

  9. Jewish Studies: Today • Use tools provided by earlier scholars • Reform & Conservative Judaism - Evolving Judaism • Why do you think Wissenschaft des Judentums is significant?

  10. 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?

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