In November of 2010 I began a class series titled “The Politics of Exclusion in Judaism.” The intent of this class was to explore how Judaism defined its socio-religious boundaries and how such definitions changed in response to internal and external considerations from biblical to modern times.
As such, this class incorporates halakha (Jewish Law), machshava (Jewish theology), Jewish history, psychology, and sociology. In response to demand I started recording and podcasting these classes, though only beginning to do so in January of 2011 (missing the classes on Biblical and Rabbinic examples).
For those who missed any classes or wish to review, these are the links in sequential order of the podcasts currently online. The posts themselves contain the audio recordings of the classes as well as PDF’s of the source sheets used.
On a personal note, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to teach such a class and I found the entire experience immensely gratifying. I hope you find these classes informative and intellectually stimulating, and I welcome all questions and feedback.
Enjoy!
- Rambam and Rebellion
- Rambam on Tzadok and Baitus
- Rambam and Separating from the Community
- Rambam on Leadership by Fear and Rambam on Repentance
- Versus Rambam – Opposition to Maimonides
- Hasidim vs. Mitnagdim
- David Berger Vs. Chabad Lubavitch
- Sephardim vs. Ashkenazim
- Nodeh Beyehuda and R. Yaakov Emden
- Hatam Sofer
- R. Akiva Eger
- R. Jacob Ettlinger and Hierarchical Judaism
- The Birth of Conservative Judaism
- R. Moshe Feinstein vs. Conservative and Reform Part 1
- R. Moshe Feinstein vs. Conservative and Reform Weddings
- R. Moshe Feinstein on Conservative Conversions
- R. Moshe Feinstein on Non-Observant Jews
- Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox Part 1
- Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox Part 2
- Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox Part 3
- Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox Part 4
- Preserving Gender Roles Part 1 – Mechitzah
- Preserving Gender Roles Part 2 – Women Rabbis
- Conclusion and Summary
