The Adventures of Monotheism: The Varieties of Religious Experience in Jewish Tradition

Catalog description

No Jews would deny the centrality of monotheism—the belief in one God YHWH—in their religion. And yet, when it comes to its content, their opinions are so diverse that you may begin to wonder if people next to you in the synagogue are actually praying to the same God. This course explores the biblical idea of monotheism and how it has served as a ground for varieties of religious experience in Jewish tradition. We will divide the history of Judaism and its interpretative tradition into four phases—biblical, rabbinic, medieval, and modern— and set forth four corresponding models for addressing the divine reality. The diversity of these models will help students develop an informed perspective on the fascinating story of this ever-evolving notion—within Judaism and beyond—and tools so vital for serving as clergy in pluralistic settings.