EXAM # 1

RLST 3100: JUDAISM Spring 1999

Jacob Neusner has written that "while we speak of ‘Judaism’. . . it would be more exact to speak of Judaisms" (A Short History of Judaism, p. 7). There have been many Judaisms in the past. It is perhaps more surprising—and more interesting—to realize that at any one time in the past there have been several Judaisms coexisting. Nevertheless some historians argue that there is at least one unifying factor found in all the Judaisms, so that we can correctly speak of Judaism, in the singular. Others historians, such as Neusner, would not agree with this.

Write an essay exploring this topic. Choose three (3) eras (see list below) and explain, for each one, why a historian might say that there were different "Judaisms," not a single unified "Judaism." Then consider the opposite point of view. Identify one factor that a historian might find common to all the versions and eras of Judaism; i.e., something that unifies the religion and allows us to speak of Judaism in the singular. Test this claim against the evidence you have presented. Does this unifying element really run consistently through all the Judaisms you have examined? Does the unity outweigh the differences? Or are the differences actually more important than the unifying element? In other words, is Neusner’s statement quoted above correct?

We have studied six different eras: the Israelite and Judean monarchy (to 587 BCE), the Babylonian exile, the era of Persian domination, the Hellenistic era (up to Maccabeean war), the Hasmonean dynasty (from Maccabeean war to Roman conquest of Judah), the rabbinic era.

As in any other academic course, you are being tested on your ability to understand, organize, synthesize, and think logically about the ideas presented in this course. Therefore, in answering the question, you should show that you have read the assigned readings, attended class, and grasped the main ideas presented in readings and class. Please remember that your grade is based on your demonstrated understanding of the course material.

A good essay is written clearly, concisely, and precisely. Be sure your essay has a logical flow of ideas within each paragraph and from one paragraph to the next. (If your paragraphs could be rearranged in a different order and make just as much sense, your essay is not yet well organized!) Be sure each paragraph provides evidence to support your conclusion. In your conclusion, you should summarize the evidence and show why you chose to agree or disagree with the last sentence in the statement. The conclusion should flow logically from the evidence presented in the paper. Be sure you are presenting essential points in a concise way. Make every word count, from the very first word; avoid needless introductions and repetitive conclusions. Make every sentence add a new thought or a new way of supporting a main idea. Do not use quotations (though you may want to refer to specific pages in the readings in parentheses or footnotes). Show that you can express the main ideas in your own words.

This exam covers material studied in class through February 26. It is due in class on March 5. Essays should be about eight (8) typed pages, or the equivalent in neat handwriting; all papers double-spaced, please. Please observe the length limit.

Please feel free to visit with any of us for help in preparing your essays. It would be best to start with your own recitation instructor, if possible. If these times don’t work make an appointment:

Ira Chernus (chernus@spot): Old Geology 230, Mon. 11 – 11:50, Wed. 1 – 2

Elizabeth Saunders (Elizabeth.Saunders@Colorado.edu): Old Geology 204, Mon. 1 – 3

Masen Uliss (Masen.Uliss@Colorado.edu): Old Geology 204, Tues. and Thurs. 11 – 12

Michael Fox (foxmc@Colorado.edu): Old Geology 407, Mon. 11 – 12, Fri. 1-2

FINAL EXAM

RLST 3100: JUDAISM SPRING 1999

ANSWER ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING.

Please identify clearly which question you are answering

A. Write an essay responding to the following statement:

Why do some historians find this statement true? What specific arguments and evidence would they offer to support it? Is there evidence to contradict it? If this claim is correct, what does the Jewish experience tell us about the nature of human life in the modern Western world? To what extent, and in what ways, do you think the statement is correct? Why?

2. We have examined modern Judaism as a series of efforts to synthesize the "best" of modernity with the "best" of the rabbinic tradition as it was practiced through the Middle Ages. Each movement that arose thought it was achieving the best possible synthesis. Show how this was true for any three (3) of the following movements:

There is no "right" answer to these questions. They are merely a springboard to give you an opportunity to show what you have learned so far in this course. As in any other academic course, you are being tested on your ability to understand, organize, synthesize, and think logically about the ideas presented in the course. Therefore, in answering the question, you should show that you have read the assigned readings, attended class, and grasped the main ideas presented in readings and class. Please remember that your grade will be based on your demonstrated ability to focus on central ideas of the course, organize them logically, and explain them clearly and succinctly (as well as on factual accuracy). (OVER)

A good essay is written clearly, concisely, and precisely. Make sure your essay has a logical flow of ideas within each paragraph and from one paragraph to the next. The conclusion (i.e., your answer to the question) should flow logically from the evidence presented in the paper. Make every word count, from the very first word; avoid needless introductions, repetitive conclusions, and lengthy personal digressions. Do not use quotations (though you may want to refer to specific pages in the readings in parentheses or footnotes). Show that you can express the main ideas of the course in your own words.

Essays should be about eight (8) typed pages, or the equivalent in neat handwriting; all papers double-spaced, please. Please observe the length limit.

Your recitation instructor will be happy to discuss your paper with you while you are preparing it, and to read a preliminary draft.

This exam covers material studied in class since March 1.

It is due by 4:30 PM on Friday, May 7, in Old Geology 205 (Religious Studies Dept. office). Put your papers in the box marked RLST 3100.

NOTE WELL: NO Late papers will be accepted. If you do not submit you paper by May 7, you risk not receiving credit for the course.

There will be no in-class final exam. This is the one and only final exam.

Thank you for a very interesting and rewarding course. Enjoy your vacation!

Jacob Neusner has written that "while we speak of ‘Judaism’. . . it would be more exact to speak of Judaisms" (A Short History of Judaism, p. 7). There have been many Judaisms in the past. It is perhaps more surprising—and more interesting—to realize that at any one time in the past there have been several Judaisms coexisting. Nevertheless some historians argue that there is at least one unifying factor found in all the Judaisms, so that we can correctly speak of Judaism, in the singular. Others historians, such as Neusner, would not agree with this.

Write an essay exploring this topic. Choose three (3) eras (see list below) and explain, for each one, why a historian might say that there were different "Judaisms," not a single unified "Judaism." Then consider the opposite point of view. Identify one factor that a historian might find common to all the versions and eras of Judaism; i.e., something that unifies the religion and allows us to speak of Judaism in the singular. Test this claim against the evidence you have presented. Does this unifying element really run consistently through all the Judaisms you have examined? Does the unity outweigh the differences? Or are the differences actually more important than the unifying element? In other words, is Neusner’s statement quoted above correct?

We have studied six different eras: the Israelite and Judean monarchy (to 587 BCE), the Babylonian exile, the era of Persian domination, the Hellenistic era (up to Maccabeean war), the Hasmonean dynasty (from Maccabeean war to Roman conquest of Judah), the rabbinic era.

As in any other academic course, you are being tested on your ability to understand, organize, synthesize, and think logically about the ideas presented in this course. Therefore, in answering the question, you should show that you have read the assigned readings, attended class, and grasped the main ideas presented in readings and class. Please remember that your grade is based on your demonstrated understanding of the course material. Remember, too, that we have examined ideas, religious behaviors, social conditions, cultural change, political factors, etc, and how they interact.. Be sure that your essay includes several different kinds of historical factors.

A good essay is written clearly, concisely, and precisely. Be sure your essay has a logical flow of ideas within each paragraph and from one paragraph to the next. (If your paragraphs could be rearranged in a different order and make just as much sense, your essay is not yet well organized!) Be sure each paragraph provides evidence to support your conclusion. In your conclusion, you should summarize the evidence and show why you chose to agree or disagree with the last sentence in the statement. The conclusion should flow logically from the evidence presented in the paper. Be sure you are presenting essential points in a concise way. Make every word count, from the very first word; avoid needless introductions and repetitive conclusions. Make every sentence add a new thought or a new way of supporting a main idea. Do not use quotations (though you may want to refer to specific pages in the readings in parentheses or footnotes). Show that you can express the main ideas in your own words.

This exam covers material studied through October 13. It is due in class on October 16. Essays should be about eight (8) typed pages, or the equivalent in neat handwriting; all papers double-spaced, please. Please observe the length limit.

Please feel free to visit with any of us for help in preparing your essays. It would be best to start with your own recitation instructor.

1. Write an essay either agreeing or disagreeing with the following statement.

From the late 18th century to the mid-20th century, Jews tried to adapt to the modern Western world in several ways (Reform, Conservatism, Neo-Orthodoxy, Buber’s I-Thou philosophy, etc). In each case, a group of Jews thought it had the right solution: taking on the best of modernity while keeping what was best or most essential in Judaism as it had been lived during the Middle Ages. However by the late 20th century it is clear that none of these were the right solution. Only Zionism allowed the Jews to express a unique Jewish identity in a way that fit in with the modern Western world. This means that Jews could adapt to modernity only by abandoning everything that was essential in Judaism as lived during the Middle Ages.

2. One of the interesting questions raised by a study of Judaism is: Why do religions change? Is it mainly because of outside influences? Or is it mainly because of factors within the religion itself? Consider the changes that took place in the history of Judaism since the 7^th century CE. Would you say that the important changes occurred mainly because of outside influences from the non-Jewish world (such as oppression and persecution or acceptance by the wider community)? Or would you say that the important changes occurred mainly because of factors from within Judaism itself (i.e., changes that would have taken place even if there had been no outside influences)?

Please indicate clearly which question you are answering.

There is no single "correct" answer to these questions. Either view can be argued convincingly. Give specific reasons for your position, drawing on the specific historical facts and ideas we have studied. The guidelines handed out with the mid-term exam apply to this exam too.

Essays should be about eight (8) typed pages, or the equivalent in neat handwriting; all papers double-spaced, please. Please observe the length limit.

There will be no in-class final exam. This is the one and only final exam. It covers material studied in class since October 18. It is due by 4:30 PM on Tuesday, December 19, in Humanities 240 (Religious Studies Dept. office): look for the box marked RLST 3100. We will be glad to accept early papers.

If you would like instructor’s comments on your paper, please attach a stamped self-addressed envelope, or call Prof. Chernus (492-6169) after Dec. 26, or at the beginning of next semester, to make arrangements.

Thank you for a very interesting and rewarding course. Enjoy your vacation!