“Did Not One God Create Us All?!” Biblical Views of the Other with Rabbi Michael Safra
Past SessionsTuesday, November 2, 2021 • 27 Cheshvan 5782 - 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Zoom
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 • 20 Cheshvan 5782 - 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Zoom
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 • 13 Cheshvan 5782 - 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Zoom
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 • 6 Cheshvan 5782 - 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Zoom
In large measure, the Bible describes how one people emerged from among all the others to become God’s chosen people. And yet the prophet Malachi asks, “Did not one God create us all?!” (Malachi 2:10).
We are commanded to be holy and observe unique rituals and laws. God promises to rout our enemies, redeem us from exile, and bless us as “a nation that dwells apart” (Numbers 23:9). At the same time, the Torah commands that we love the stranger.
The Bible commands that we rout Amalek and warns against the influences of non-Israelite cultures, while also lionizing such righteous gentiles as Noah, Yitro, Ruth, and Job. Ezra and Nehemiah rail against the evils of intermarriage, while the authors of Ruth, Esther, and Isaiah propose an alternative view.
This course uses the biblical text to explore ancient views of non-Israelite peoples and religions. We will examine of the Torah’s attitudes towards assimilation, intermarriage, and the place of non-Jews to reflect on the appropriate balance between Judaism’s tribalist and universalist tendencies.
All texts will be provided, but participants who own their own Tanakh are encouraged to bring it to class. This course is appropriate for students of all skill levels; no previous experience with Bible study is necessary.
$36 for members; $50 for nonmembers *Members must be logged in to see member price.
This class will be held via Zoom.
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Mon, January 13 2025
13 Tevet 5785
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