Entering Jewish History Through the Gates of Prayer

 

A documental approach to Jewish history using selections from the prayerbook. The course is designed to expose the participants to the experience of the Jewish people at various points of its history through the imagery and language of common prayers that have become part of the communal setting.

 

The Kiddush as an historical document.

 

The kiddush recited over the shabbat wine allows us to glance at several historical phenomena. The text itself is Rabbinic celebrating Creation and the Exodus as historic events. It also allows for discussion of Reform Judaism which had at one moment deleted the phrase “from all the other nations.” The kiddush also reflects on the Jewish approach to time, and on the shabbat as a weekly “re-experiencing of Jewish history”.

 

The Vayechulu -Creation

 

This biblical account of the completion of creation is rooted both in the historical Torah text and is the foundation of the theme of creation is Jewish consciousness.

 

Michamocha – Exodus and Redemption

 

The Exodus with its theme of slavery to freedom is celebrated with the people’s reaction in the flight from the pursuing Egyptians.

 

Kiddusha – “Holy, Holy, Holy”

 

The text from the Prophet Isaiah highlights the theme of holiness, sanctification, and is a setting for a view into the role of the Prophets in Jewish history.

 

Boruchu – call to worship

 

The history of the Boruchu takes us back to Nehemiah and the return from the Babylonian exile. The people hear a review of biblical history. The theme is echoed in the blessings before the communal reading of the Torah scroll.

 

Kaddish – Mourners and the Hazi Kaddish

 

Written in Aramaic, The kaddish helps us understand the Rabbinic period through to approximately the 13th century when the Kaddish takes on the role of the mourner’s kaddish.

 

Yigdal – a Hymn to the living God

 

Written by Daniel ben Judah in the early 14th century, this hymn is based on the thirteen articles of faith of Maimonides. Maimonides is the ultimate rationalist of our Jewish thinkers. The Yigdal offers a glimpse at the challenges coming from Moslem and Greek philosophy, and the Jewish responses.

 

Lecha Dodi – Come to greet shabbat

 

Written in 1529, this hymn brings us to the Jewish mystical tradition and the enclave in Safed. Along with Shalom Aleichem, we experience Jewish creativity

 

Hatikvah – The Hope and Israel’s National Anthem

 

Naphtali Herz Imber’s poem of 1878 found its way with some alterations to become the national anthem of the modern Jewish State. It sets the stage for discussion of Reform Judaism’s varying attitudes to Israel.

 

A selection of Contemporary Jewish Prayers

 

Reflections of…

 

This consideration of Entering Jewish History Through the Gates of Prayer is limited in its depth and scope, not capturing all the creativity and accumulation of historical reflections, but is intended to be an review of the Jewish historical experience.

 

The course will include basic historical data, and resource material,