RELIG 210-Introduction to Judaism Lecture 10

Time of Great Scholarship, Creativity, Writing

Two contexts Central European Christianity Encounter with Islam

New Approaches: Biblical Interpreation and philosophy

Are reason and religion compatible? No concept of “secular”

New Approach to scripture Contextual, “literal” reading of text Focus on historical perspective,

rationalism, linguistic analysis and literary genre

Great sophistication

Disputations with Islam and Christianity Direct study of the Bible Prove validity of the text Scripture as shared document

Philosophic Rationalism in Islam New discoveries in philology, linguistic Intra-Jewish polemics

Challenge Rabbininc reading as normative

Use reason and science to understand scripture without rabbinic mediation

Has a tremendous impact on Jewish exegesis

Saadia Gaon Decode text to prove compatible with

reason Allegorical reading “Head” when applied to

God = “excellence and elevation.” (Study Bible, 1953)

1040-1105/French Running

Commentary to the Talmud Translates technical

terms (old french) Line drawings

Torah commentary

“There are many agaddic interpretations, and our sages have already arranged them in their proper place in Genesis Rabbah and other midrashic collections. I come only to present what the text says directly and such aggadah that sets the wording of the text on its proper bearings.”

Are Reason and Revelation Compatible? Eternal Universe versus creation ex nihilo Watchmaker God vs. God who stops the

son How can both be right?

Eternal Universe versus creation ex nihilo Watchmaker God vs. God who stops the

son How can both be right?

1135-1204 (Spain, Morocco, Egypt)

Proof of God’s existence Explanation of prophecy

Prophets are great philosphers Translate insights into figurative speech

Mishneh Torah Guide to the Perplexed

Rabbinic movement (12th Cent onward)

Hidden tradition of scriptural interpretation

Scripture is like a Walnut Literal Content is Outer Shell Secret truth hidden within

Goal: Go through layers of meaning to find kernal Example: Divine Emanations Dangerous Work (Four who enter Garden)

God- Transcendent and Immanent En Sof, “The Infinite” Only know aspects of divine being (Sefirot) Sefirot as DNA of natural and supernatural

reality Sefirot in Chaos-Need Restoration