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Alon Goshen-Gottstein
This lecture provides an introduction to the place of the holy person in Judaism. The lecture explores the topic linguistically, historically, as well as phenomenologically. It begins with a discussion of the Biblical terminology used for saints, the two terms tzadik and hasid. The tzadik and hasid achieve this stature based primarily on their adherence to an objective, quantifiable, standard of behavior, whether codified in the covenant (Torah), or outside the covenantal relationsh... More>>
Barry Levy
This lecture is actually an analysis of the historical development of the relationship of Judaism to the Bible. Levy takes us through six periods of Jewish history, and outlines how each period perceived the Biblical text. He shows how until the modern period, the emphasis was on showing how the Bible was relevant to the particular concerns of the society. Thus, the Hellenists retold the Bible in light of Greco-Roman values, and the Rabbinic Midrashim deal creatively with problems in... More>>
This lecture discusses the way in which the images of Biblical heroes were adapted in later Jewish literature to conform to the contemporary religious ideals. The Biblical story of Esther presented very serious problems to rabbinic Judaism because of her relationship with King Ahasuerus. The Talmud, and later rabbinic literature, in some cases reinterpreted and reshaped the story of Esther to preserve her image as a heroine. In other cases, her behavior was rationalized to just... More>>
Nachman El Haddad
This is not a lecture. Rabbi Nachman El Haddad describes the organization in which he is active called "Derech Tzaddikim", "The Paths of the Righteous". In response to questions, he also explains his own spiritual path of Breslov Hassidism. Rabbi El-Haddad speaks in Hebrew, and is translated by Alon Goshen-Gottstein. The organization is involved in three projects: 1) Locating and renovating the graves of different Hassidic masters in the Ukra... More>>
Rabbinic theology is described here as cosmically oriented, and rabbinic thought as associative, nonsystematic, and hermeneutical. Hassidic literature returned to these early forms, especially midrash, and developed an image of the Tzaddik as a figure of cosmic significance, divine association, and later as a master of Torah. Incarnational theology viewed the Tzaddik as the aleph of adam, a man-God, and as the presence of Moses in each generation. This theology is associated wi... More>>
Meir Sendor
This lecture explores consciousness and its relation to prayer as expressed in kabbala and philosophy. Prayer is focused upon a paradox: using finite words and concepts one attempts to address an infinite God. The lecture explores how a leap in consciousness is achieved in mystical prayer. The lecture weaves sources from the Talmud, the philosophy of Levinas and early Kabbalistic works into a theory of transcending ordinary consciousness through prayer. Meir Sen... More>>
This lecture presents the main points of opposition to kabbalistic prayer focusing on the sefirot. The opposition to the practice and theory of kabbalistic prayer began with the rise of kabbalah in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The very postulation by the kabbalists of the ten sefirot, representing different qualities and approaches to God, was seen to stand in direct contrast with the traditional idea of the radical oneness and absolute nature of God. ... More>>
This lecture looks at the area of petitionary prayer, specifically for healing purposes. For the kabbalists, however, this form of prayer is considered the very essence of prayer. Prayer for healing touches upon a deep will that affects a change. According to the kabbalistic understanding of sickness, all personal suffering is a result of the suffering of God from the lack of unification in the world. Illness is sent to the world in order that individuals will increase the... More>>
The topic of this lecture is kavanah, which is normally translated as intentionality, focus and direction, as applied to spiritual practices. Judaism refers to three general levels of kavanah, with the higher levels seen as prerequisites for any mystical connection with the divine. The kabbalists developed the idea of kavanah so that it became central to their practices and mystical ascensions, creating systems of practices that would effect quasi-prophetic states. Kavan... More>>
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Father Benedict, Sheikh Abdelsalam Mennasrah and Rabbi David Seidenberg
This two part series discusses the relationship between mysticism and religious leadership. The three monotheistic faiths are each represented by their respective leaders. Is mysticism a good quality for religious leadership and what are the tensions between the mystical dimension and other dimensions of authority in religion? Father Benedict relates how in Christianity, G-d reveals himself, but does it veiled. Christ's hidden truth or reality is experienced through mystical practices. This ex... More>>
Continuation of "The Mystic Part 1" More>>
Continuation of "The Mystic Part 1"
Daniel H. Gordis
In this lecture, Rabbi Daniel Gordis from the Mandel Foundation discusses the subject of Jewish leadership. His work focuses on leadership training, specifically at the level of Jewish executive educators. The core of leadership is vision. Great leaders have great ideas and know how to translate their ideas into the larger community. Gordis shares with the audience a few of his secrets of success in transforming a vision into reality. A Jewish leader at the executive level must have a vision o... More>>
Rafi Jospe
Jospe discusses the notion of religious and civil authority, as analyzed by medieval thinkers such as Maimonides, Al-Farabi and more. Maimonides' dichotomy of two aspects of religious life: activism and contemplation, is at the center of this lecture. By presenting various texts and their historical contexts, Jospe presents the ongoing debate of these two aspects from the Greek philosophers to medieval philosophers. He concludes by synthesizing the two points of view according ... More>>
Zvi Zohar
Zvi Zohar analyzes conversion in the rabbinic tradition. He demonstrates how, in the world of the sages, conversion was linked to the process of being born (or re-born). Zohar presents sources showing the emphasis placed by the Jewish legal tradition on circumcision and ritual immersion, rather than on knowledge and acceptance of the commandments of Jewish law. A specific focus of this lecture is legal rulings of central 20th century halachists. Zohar further draws on examples from the Jew... More>>
Harvey Cox
Cox surveys the changing environments that brought about and influenced the growth the movement of Messianic Judaism. Cox describes self-perceptions of group members who believe that they are both part of Judaism and of Christianity without the need to convert to or from either of the religions. He goes on to describe the global changes, as well as changes within the Jewish and Christian worlds, that contributed to the emergence of Messianic Judaism. Cox concludes with observations on what belie... More>>
Don Seeman
Seeman presents the story of Ethiopian Jewry and the so-called "Falashmura" (Jews who converted or were forced to convert to Christianity). Seeman recounts the history of this distinct Jewish community from its first contact with world Jewry to its present day problems of conversion and bureaucracy in modern day Israel. Seeman shares his personal story of contact with Jews in Ethiopia and their day-to-day dilemmas of identity. Seeman conveys the ways in which the establishment in... More>>
Goshen-Gottstein presents the problematic issue of people who posses multiple religious identities. The subject of multiple religious identities is an especially difficult one in Judaism. He suggests different criteria by which one can assess borrowing from other religions while maintaining one's own religion. He also formulates what in his eyes are the components through which religious identity is constructed.... More>>
This lecture discusses the Jewish perspective on Sacred Time and Space. In Judaism, there is a hierarchy of sacred space, from outside Israel to Israel, to Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, and finally to the most sacred, the Holy of Holies. Since the Destruction of the Temple, Jews have experienced most of their history in exile, frequently having to flee their native lands, which in turn, caused time to be a more fundamental than space. The lecture continues on the topic of Sacred Time, discuss... More>>
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