Home Home / Proposed Hasidism Courses Outline (1975)

Note

January 3, 1975

Proposed Hasidism Courses Outline (1975)

Chasidim & Mitnagdim Biographical Material
View The Text

This content is currently available in its original PDF format. As we expand the library, we plan to add a text version as well.

RELATED CONTENT

Assorted

Department of Talmud and Codes Schedule of Courses - Fall 1975 (1975)

Rabbi J. Arnest, TH 115.1, Talmud, 1 credit, F303, Mondays, Tuesday. M. Doreastein, TH 115.2, Talmud, 1 credit, F316, Wednesday. J. Gorelick, T 115.3, Talmud, 1 credit, F313, Preparation 9:00–12:00. H. Katz, TL 115.4, Talmud, 1 credit, F312. D. Lifshitz, TH 203.5, Talmud, 1 credit, F306, Shiur 12:45–2:45. J. Soloveitchik, TH 317.7, Talmud, 1 credit, F410, Thursday – Preparation 9:00–10:45. M.D. Tendler, TH 115.5, Talmud, 1 credit, 7305, Shiur 10:45–12:15. J. Weiss, TH 303.1, Codes: Yoreh Deah, 1 credit, 7334, Monday–Thursday, Preparation 9:00–11:00, Shiur 12:00–2:00. H. Schachter, TH 331, Halachah, 1 credit, 7331. *Kamin preparation done at Harry Fischel Study Hall. H. Schachter and J. Lookstein, SP 113.2, Practical Halakhah II, 1 credit, F314, Friday 11:00–12:40. SR 121, Homiletics I, 1 credit, F410. E. Dobrinsky, SR 123, Rabbinic Practicum I. M. Finer, SR 127, Rabbinic Service to the Aged, 1 credit, F313. I. Hiller, SP 122, Seminar on Jewish Chaplaincy, 1 credit, F314, Thursday 7:00–3:40 p.m. Machon L’Toras Yisrael – two courses required for students in N.Y. program and Pre-Semikha students: Wurzburger, NY 101.3, Jewish Thought II, 1 credit, F317, Monday 7:30–9:00 p.m. Farber, EY 102.3, Biblical Exegesis II, 1 credit, F317, Friday 9:00–11:00 a.m. Lamm, NY 103.1, Methodology in Jewish Thought, 1 credit, F314, Wednesday 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Biographical Material

Assorted

Seminar in Jewish Thought and Contemporary Problems: Methods and Approaches (1975)

This is primarily a methodological course – a “how-to” – and only incidentally substantive. This is a Seminar course and will be treated as such. (1) Each student must get, as soon as possible, a copy of Faith and Doubt. (2) Motivation for interest in this area: a) understanding the Torah view; b) demonstrating the relevance of Torah – here, medieval rationalists’ proofs of God’s existence: to reveal God in intellectual idiom; c) to teach Judaism: Hasbarah (not apologetics, although this has its place too – often consisting in demonstrating the obvious, e.g., story of Eliach and Ephraim Holland – but beware banality; mention English translation); d) polemical reasons – examples: my work on the Conservative ketubah, mixed pews, second day of exile, interfaith dialogue – but be very careful not to be self-righteous or engage in mud-slinging. Necessary personal resources: a) curiosity and interest; b) openness to contemporary problems – no intellectual ghettos; c) confidence that answers can be found or devised (cf. the Gaon and Meiri on שאל אביך ויגדך); d) acquaintance with halakhic sources and also philosophic, aggadic, musar, kabbalistic, Hasidic sources, etc. (I am opposed to an exclusively halakhocentric view); e) ability to trace material – i.e., research techniques; f) talent for organizing and systematizing; g) literary ability. Typology of articles: a) popular Hasbarah (e.g., “Tisha B’Av Today” – Jewish Life; Hedge of Roses; “The Second Days” – Chavrusa; “Separate Pews” – Tradition); b) political-social (e.g., “Talmud and Tapes” – Sh’ma; “Ethics of Protest” – Jewish Spectator; “Jewish Ethics of Leisure,” “Moral Revolution” – Faith and Doubt); c) legal (e.g., “Homosexuality” – Encyclopedia Yearbook; “Ketubah” – Tradition; “Self-Incrimination,” “Privacy” – Faith and Doubt; “Cog in the Wheel” – Kirschenbaum); d) scientific-technological (e.g., “Religious Implications of Extraterrestrial Life” – Faith and Doubt; “Medical Malpractice”); e) educational-philosophic…
Biographical Material

Outline

Seminar: Hasidic Thought (1986)

First Lecture(s): The Kabbalistic Background of Hasidism. 1. Introduction: Recommended readings: 1. Scholem, Major Trends, chapter 1; chapter 2 (parts 1, 2, 8, 19.11); 2. Wiener, 9 1/2 Mystics, chapters 1-5. Kabbalah and Hasidism: Hasidism is in some ways a break with Kabbalah (esp. Lurianic), and in some ways a continuation. Buber: "Hasidism is Kabbalah as ethos." Certainly, it uses much of Kabbalistic imagery and terminology. Hence, need acquaintance fundamental elements of Kabbalah in order to understand
Chasidim & Mitnagdim Biographical Material