MID-TERM EXAM

RLST 3100: JUDAISM FALL, 2003

The history of biblical and rabbinic Judaism was shaped by THREE major turning points: 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 TWO (2) of the three 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 two turning points you have chosen, use your discussion to provide evidence for your answer to this question. Be sure that your answer to the question flows logically from the evidence you have provided.

This exam covers material studied through October 9/10. It is due in recitation on October 16/17. Essays should be about eight (8) typed pages, or the equivalent in neat handwriting; all papers double-spaced, please. Please observe the length limit.

We encourage you to visit with you recitation instructor to discuss your paper as you are writing it.

(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
• think logically about

the facts and ideas presented in the course.

Therefore, in answering the question, you should show that you have:

• read the assigned readings
• attended class
• grasped the main ideas presented in readings and class.

Your primary responsibility is to show what you have learned in this course.

The qualities that make a good essay:

1. written clearly, concisely, and precisely
2. 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
3. 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 conclusion
• 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. It is a good idea to refer to specific pages in the readings in parentheses or footnotes. Any standard footnote form is acceptable.

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

FINAL EXAM

RLST 3100: JUDAISM FALL, 2003

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: Reform, Conservative (positive-historical), Orthodox and neo-Orthodox, mainstream political/practical Zionism (Herzl, Weizmann, Ben-Gurion, etc.), spiritual/cultural Zionism (Ahad Ha’am, Martin Buber, etc.), "the Judaism of Holocaust and Redemption". Evaluate the three movements you have discussed. In what ways and to what extent did each successfully synthesize the rabbinic/medieval tradition with modernity? In what ways and to what extent did each fail to successfully synthesize traditional Judaism with modernity?

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 Tuesday, December 16, 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.