Mr. Elisha Stein JS 9-1

Course Description
This course will explore three significant topics in contemporary Jewish life: Diversity and Pluralism, Mitzvot bein Adam l'chavero (laws between a person and his fellow human being), and Mitzvot bein Adam l'Makom (laws between a person and G-d). In looking at diversity, we will study the 'four denominations' which play a central role in American Judaism - Reform, Conservative, Orthodoxy and Reconstructionism - to see how each attempts to concretize Jewish values into practice and belief in a post-Enlightenment world. We will then use case studies to learn about the two classes of mitzvot. For the first group, the so-called 'interpersonal' laws, we will do an in-depth study of Lashon haRa (improper speech), with the goal of understanding why it is regarded in our tradition as such a grave sin. For the 'ritual' laws, we will use the example of Kashrut, studying its philosophical underpinnings and selected laws from a variety of sources (across denominations).

Test & Quiz Schedule (to take this week's optional "Four Questions" quiz, click here)

Homework Assignments & Projects

Syllabus & Policies form

Schedule of Weekly Mitzvah Presentations