(The final exam is at the bottom of this page.)

MID-TERM EXAM

RLST 3100: JUDAISM SPRING, 2000

Write an essay one ONE (1) of the following topics. Please be sure to identify which topic you are writing on.

1. The history of biblical and rabbinic Judaism was shaped by 4 major turning points: the creation of the monarchy, the conquest of Judah and destruction of the first Temple by the Babylonians, the coming of Hellenistic culture, and the destruction of the second Temple by the Romans. In each case, different groups of Jews responded in different ways to these formative events. There was never a single unanimous response. Still, there was some common element in all the responses to all these events — and element that makes them distinctively "Jewish."

Choose any three (3) of the four major turning points and explain how different groups of Jews responded in different ways to them. At the beginning of your essay, state clearly whether you agree or disagree with the last sentence in the statement above: Was there anything that all the responses to all the events had in common, or not? If there was something that all had in common, what was it? As you discuss the three turning points you have chosen, use your discussion to provide evidence for your answer to this question.

2. There is a debate among historians of religion about the role that religion plays in human life. One group of historians of religion say that religion provides a sense of overarching order and predictable structure in life. This allows religious people to avoid feelings of loss of control, and the anxiety and suffering those feelings can produce. No matter what happens, religious people feel that there is an enduring order that ultimately makes everything "all right." A second group of historians of religion take an opposite view. They say that religion is a way for people to confront directly experiences of disorder, loss of control, anxiety and suffering. In the opinion of this second group, religion is not about avoiding such disturbing experiences, but rather accepting times when things are not "all right" as an inevitable part of life.

Show how the history of Judaism from its beginnings to the end of the rabbinic era provides evidence to support both of these views about the role of religion . In conclusion, explain which of the two views you think fits BEST for Judaism through the end of the rabbinic era, and why.

This exam covers material studied through March 1. It is due in recitation on March 7/8. 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.

(OVER)

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING ESSAY EXAMS

There is no "correct" answer to the questions in this course. The questions are merely a springboard to give you an opportunity to show what you have learned in the 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. Your primary responsibility is to show what you have learned in this course. The more course material you include in your essay, presented accurately and logically, the better your grade will be.

A good essay is written clearly, concisely, and precisely. It offers a series of general ideas, with each one supported by more specific ideas or evidence, and all the general ideas are arranged in a logical order. Make sure your essay has a clear 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! A good way to avoid this problem is to make an outline before you write your final draft, so that you can see the organization of your essay clearly. 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.

You should always show that you can express the main ideas of the course in your own words. A good way to do this is to assume that you are writing for someone who knows nothing about the subject; imagine you are writing to a parent, a friend, etc. Do not use lengthy quotations (though you may want to refer to specific pages in the readings in parentheses or footnotes).

The same guidelines will apply for the final exam. Please save this sheet for future reference.

ANSWER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING.

Please indicate clearly which question you are answering.

A. The story of Judaism in the last 200 years is the story of the end of traditional Judaism. Judaism is now dominated by forms of Jewish expression that did not exist 200 years ago: Reform, Conservative, Neo-Orthodox, the various forms of Zionism, responses to the Holocaust, and others. These new forms have eliminated EVERYTHING that was ESSENTIAL in traditional (rabbinic and medieval) Judaism.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

B. 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?

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 is due by 4:30 PM on Wednesday, May 8, in Humanities 240 (Religious Studies Dept. office). Look for the box marked with your recitation instructor’s name. 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 May 15, or at the beginning of next semester, to make arrangements.