The Rambam's 13 Principles of Faith

We began watching this video today, starring Rabbi Mordechai Becher, in which he discusses the 13 Principles.  Please continue to watch through to the end (we watched the first 9 minutes or so already). Then, when you are finished watching, please answer the questions listed below, and share them with me via email. This assignment is due before class on Friday, Feb 27.
(The first 4 questions are contained in roughly minutes 10-20.  The next 4 are discussed in minutes 20-29, if you'd like to split up the assignment over the next 2 nights.)

1. Explain Rabbi Becher's analogy between what he terms "physical suicide" and "spiritual suicide", and how it pertains to the 13 Principles.
2. What were some of the prime objections to the Rambam's formulation of those Principles?
3. How do our beliefs about another individual affect the kind of relationship we can have with them?  What does this have to do with the 13 Principles?
4. Is it really accurate to refer to them as the Principles of Faith or Belief?  What did the Rambam really call them, in his original Arabic writings?  Why is the terminology so significant?
5. What ties the first 4 Principles together?  Briefly discuss a new concept that you learned about one of them.
6. What ties the next 5 together?  Briefly discuss a new concept that you learned about one of them.
7. What ties the last 4 together?  Briefly discuss a new concept that you learned about one of them.
8. Why are both proper beliefs/understandings AND proper actions necessary in Judaism?

Famous Jewish Philosophers-Roundup

We have so far studied the historical backgrounds and enduring contributions of the Rambam, Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi, the Ba'al Shem Tov, the Ramchal, Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, and to a lesser degree, those of Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, and Rabbi Emanuel Feldman and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (yibadlu l'chaim tovim--they should both live and be well).

Assignment:  Ask one of your Judaic studies teachers, administrators, rabbis, rebbetzins, or other spiritual role models which one of these great Jewish thinkers has had a significant impact on their life, and why (you can transcribe an interview with them in person, by phone, or by email).  Please copy their answer in a comment below, and then tell us what intrigues you about their answer. Does it motivate you to want to learn more about that philosopher?  What else does it make you want to know about the person you interviewed? 

I would like each of you to respond to this post in the comments section below.  After you contribute a comment of your own, read your classmates' comments and write an additional response to at least one of them.

This assignment must be completed by Monday, Feb 23.  If you have not heard back from the person by Sunday night, please inform me.  Make sure to (politely) request a response by then so that you will be able to complete this assignment on time, but do so right away so as to give them enough time to get back to you.

*Keep in mind: Although I am not going to be grading this assignment on the basis of your English language skills, I do fully expect you to use your best writing, so that you can be sure you're communicating clearly and efficiently. That includes using proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing conventions (complete sentences and paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.).

**Please note: Before you post anything at all on this blog, create a Google Doc titled "JL&F Blog" and write everything there first. Then copy and paste it into the blog (this goes for all blog submissions). Occasionally people will write a lengthy response and then hit "submit", only to see it all instantly disappear. As long as you've got the original version in your Google Doc, this isn't a big problem; you can just send me your submission and I will post it for you.

Rabbi Oxman

Rabbi Oxman spoke about many interesting things he id in his career. As a Chaplin in the army it was his job to facilitate and organize Jewish affairs. One of the things I found interesting about what he said, was that some programs drew in people who didn't have so much religious connection. Maybe people just wanted some connection to their Jewish lives at home, even if its not exactly what they are used to. It also shows the community aspect of Judaism. It drew people in and made them feel like they were connected to each other. It's also nice that in the middle of war and craziness, people still view their religion that important. They don't say they're to tired or busy to practice Judaism, they want to do it.

One thing I still don't understand is, is his job only for Jews? Does he also do religious things for people of other religions? I can't imagine there are THAT many Jews on any given base, so why does the American army make a position to help a few people on each base. If so, that's great but I don't understand the need to hire a whole group of people just to help the Jews on the base. Also, is their a Chaplin for every religion? 

First Guest Speaker

Since we don't really have much time together this week, the blog will be our best format for a follow-up discussion based on Rabbi Brett Oxman's visit to our class yesterday.  I want to start off again by expressing my appreciation to Rabbi Oxman for taking the time to join us, and for preparing such an extensive photo slideshow and array of "artifacts" from his time in the U.S. Air Force.

What I'd like each of you to do is reflect on the stories and messages he shared with us and write a few paragraphs (2-3) about what ideas or vignettes made the biggest impression on you and why, as well as what questions you still have about his experiences or Jewish outlook that you'd like Rabbi Oxman to answer.  I will then pass those on to him so that he can have the opportunity to continue the conversation virtually.

I'll בעזרת 'ה be weighing in with some of my thoughts as well, but first I'm eager to hear what you think!  
We will do this a little differently from last time, based on your feedback: instead of writing your thoughts in the comments section, create a new blog entry of your own.  Make sure to read what your classmates post as well, and comment on at least 2 of them, stating what you agree with, disagree with, or would add to.  This assignment is due Friday, Feb. 6, before class.

*Keep in mind: Although I am not going to be grading this assignment on the basis of your English language skills, I do fully expect you to use your best writing, so that you can be sure you're communicating clearly and efficiently. That includes using proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing conventions (complete sentences and paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.).

**Please note: Before you post anything at all on this blog, create a Google Doc titled "JL&F Blog" and write everything there first. Then copy and paste it into the blog (this goes for all blog submissions). Occasionally people will write a lengthy response and then hit "submit", only to see it all instantly disappear. As long as you've got the original version in your Google Doc, this isn't a big problem; you can just send me your submission and I will post it for you.

ברוכות הבאות!

Welcome to the Jewish Life & Faith class blog!  This will be our virtual forum for sharing thoughts and ideas on a wide variety of topics pertaining to Judaism, as well as a place for us to ask deep and difficult questions. I know that we will all gain from hearing each other's perspectives, and I ask that you take the time and effort to produce worthwhile content.

In the past week and a half we've touched on some fundamental ideas and questions that go straight to the core of what it means to think and live as a Jew in the 21st Century. I've been greatly impressed by your contributions, and now it's time for us to put some of them in writing.

Assignment: By Monday (Feb 2nd), please write in the comments section of this post 1-2 paragraphs on some of the ideas we've discussed so far in class that spoke to you in some way--maybe because they resonated with you as being truthful, intrigued you, or even disturbed or bothered you in some way. After you have shared your thoughts, comment on 2 other classmates' responses, and tell them why you either agree with, disagree with, or would add to what they wrote.

*Keep in mind: Although I am not going to be grading this assignment on the basis of your English language skills, I do fully expect you to use your best writing, so that you can be sure you're communicating clearly and efficiently. That includes using proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing conventions (complete sentences and paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.).

**Please note: Before you post anything at all on this blog, create a Google Doc titled "JL&F Blog" and write everything there first. Then copy and paste it into the blog (this goes for all blog submissions). Occasionally people will write a lengthy response and then hit "submit", only to see it all instantly disappear. As long as you've got the original version in your Google Doc, this isn't a big problem; you can just send me your submission and I will post it for you.

Women and Relationships Part II

Before we begin to explore the teachings of some important and interesting Jewish thinkers on the subject of Jewish women, I'd like us to take the opportunity to put some of our own thoughts and observations in writing here on the blog.  In the comments section below, please address the following:

• What different kinds of relationships might a person have in their lifetime, and with whom? Challenge yourself to think of many varieties, and tell us a bit about what makes each one unique and important.
• What do you see as some differences between the way we approach relationships from a Torah perspective, versus a secular American perspective?
• In your opinion, how do you think men and women differ, aside from the obvious biological considerations?
• Does American society encourage these differences, or reject them? Explain your thoughts.

When you've finished writing, reply to the comments of at least 2 classmates, and specify why you either agree or disagree with what they wrote.

Women and Relationships in Jewish Thought

We are on the verge of a long, much needed break, but in order to start thinking about the subject of our final unit, today we are delving into our classroom library and exploring ideas pertaining to women and relationships in Jewish thought.

In the comments section below, please indicate which book you chose to read from, who the author is, and when it was published.  Then, answer the following questions:

1. What would you say was the general theme of the book/section that you read today?
2. Was this a topic that you felt fairly knowledgeable about to begin with, or was it something that was unfamiliar to you? Please explain.
3. Please share with us something that you read that you found particularly interesting, or thought was explained in a clear and helpful manner.
4. Did you come across any ideas in your reading that you found difficult to understand, offensive, or contradictory to what you previously had thought or heard?  Please elaborate.
5. What new questions do you have about this topic, or others?

When you have finished answering these questions (make sure to number them so that I can be sure you have answered them all in a complete fashion), reply to 2 other students' ideas.