Hebrew College: Are Religious Experiences A Jewish Thing?: Understanding Jewish Religious Experiences in the 21st Century

Tuesdays: 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 4/7, 4/14 9:30-11:30 am

Hebrew College: Are Religious Experiences A Jewish Thing?: Understanding Jewish Religious Experiences in the 21st Century

Temple Isaiah

Many modern Jews enjoy Judaism’s communal rituals and ethical teachings, but greet talk of “Jewish religious experience” with a lack of interest – and even disdain. Perhaps this sort of talk made sense to our medieval, pre-scientific ancestors, but what could it really mean today, in the twenty-first century? In addition, while “religious experiences” remain important in other religions, Judaism seems different – leaving modern Jews with questions about what a Jewish religious experience might be, whether Jews actually have them, and even whether Jews ought to want them! 

In this course we will examine 1) how modernity has changed our understanding of religious experience; 2) what religious experience has looked like in Jewish tradition, and 3) whether religious experience is even a Jewish value. Our approach will be intellectual and historical, rather than an attempt to help anyone to find a spiritual path.

Registration is $400. Financial aid is available. Please email Barbara Posnick at bposnick@gmail.com with any questions.

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