Jewish History : Major Jewish Controversies
The tongue-in-cheek cliché, "Two Jews, three opinions," describes the penchant for debate and controversy in Jewish life. However, controversies and debates can also provide us with an enhanced view and understanding of some of life’s most fundamental dilemmas. This semester will feature eight historical controversies that will provide fascinating historical material combined with the philosophical, legal and human perspectives that served as the backdrop to these conflicts.
Buy all the programs together in 1 set!
Order the set of 8 CDs or one Zip file containing the MP3 files for the following programs:
- Lesson 1: Biblical Polemics
- Lesson 2: Pharisees and Sadducees; Rabbis and Karaites
- Lesson 3: Maimonides
- Lesson 4: The Smicha Controversy
- Lesson 5: Shabbatei Tzvi
- Lesson 6: R. Yonatan Eibushitz and R. Yaakov Emden
- Lesson 7: Enlightenment-Haskalah
- Lesson 8: Chassidim and Mitnagdim
Lesson 1: Biblical Polemics
Polemics and controversy were part of the Jewish landscape from the very beginning of the Jewish Nation. This class will survey and analyze the Golden Calf episode, the rebellion of the spies and Korach, the struggle of Elijah against the prophets of the idol Ba’al, and other fascinating conflicts.
1 hour, 07 minutes, 35 seconds
Lesson 2: Pharisees and Sadducees; Rabbis and Karaites
The Torah comprises its written text (known as Torah Shebiktav or the Bible) and an oral tradition (known as Torah She’be’al Peh, later compiled in works such as the Talmud). The pivotal debate between the Pharisees (or traditional rabbis) and the breakaway Sadducees revolved around the authenticity of the latter part of Torah. Many traditions that are extant are geared to underscore the validity of the Oral Tradition. The debate between belief in the Oral Torah and its rejection reappeared centuries later between the rabbis and the so-called Karaites. This fierce controversy spawned an enhanced preoccupation with Biblical literature.
1 hour, 01 minutes, 56 seconds
Lesson 3: Maimonides
There was never any individual who generated more controversy in Judaism than Maimonides. Whether it was his imaginative approach to codifying Jewish law in his Mishneh Torah, or his bold attempt at reconciling Greek thought with Torah, Maimonides encountered unprecedented opposition. This controversy raged on for many generations, and some residual traces of it can still be detected today.
1 hour, 12 minutes, 20 seconds
Lesson 4: The Smicha Controversy
1 hour, 01 minutes, 01 seconds
Lesson 5: Shabbatei Tzvi
In the aftermath of one of the most horrific slaughters of Jews in history, many Jews clung to the belief that the enigmatic and charismatic kabbalist, Shabbatei Tzvi, was the promised Messiah. Here too, the Jewish community was split between his supporters and detractors. Only when he converted to Islam to save his life did most of his supporters realize that he was an imposter.
1 hour, 09 minutes, 07 seconds
Lesson 6: R. Yonatan Eibushitz and R. Yaakov Emden
The common denominator of these two rabbis is that they were and continue to be, regarded as two of the greatest Jewish scholars of their time. Their works are still studied today. Yet, the controversy that split the Jewish community into two — that revolved around suspicions that R. Yonatan was a follower of Shabbatei Tzvi — represents one of the saddest periods of Jewish history.
1 hour, 00 minutes, 04 seconds
Lesson 7: Enlightenment-Haskalah
Until the period of Enlightenment, Judaism was unchallenged by Jews themselves. All that changed with the advent of the Haskalah Movement, which sought to undermine the very foundations of Jewish belief and practice. The division of Jews into different denominations was a direct result of the assault of the Haskalah movement on traditional Judaism.
1 hour, 18 minutes, 14 seconds
Lesson 8: Chassidim and Mitnagdim
The Chassidic Movement is arguably the most dynamic Jewish movement in history. But for all its strides in capturing the hearts and souls of millions of Jews, it encountered some of the fiercest opposition from some of the greatest Jewish leaders. This fascinating lecture will chronicle some of the polemical writings of these two groups, and probe the reasons for this controversy.
52 minutes, 46 seconds
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