BARUCH SPINOZA P4.1

Question 1

Source

Answer 1

A significant challenge that Judaism faced was caused by Baruch Spinoza, a Jewish heretic whose ideas challenged the conventional understanding of the beliefs of Judaism. Spinoza, a member of the Jewish community of Amsterdam, Holland, was a great scholar, who studied Torah, Talmud and the philosophy of Rambam.
Eventually, Spinoza was “excommunicated publically” (A history of the Jews, by Historian Paul Johnson) as he posed a significant threat to the theology and ethics of the religious tradition of Judaism.

Question 2

Aspects challenged

Answer 2

Beliefs
Rejects : all beliefs relating to the supernatural

Including:
- the belief that God is personal and immanent, as it is believed that “God is with me” (Adon Olam). and rather - God is a mechanical force, within nature not separate
- Therefore, challenging the belief that there is a particular covenant between God and the Jewish people and that the Jewish people are His elected (chosen) nation

• The belief that God revealed the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai → Divine revelation
  Spinoza posits that the Torah was not written by Moses alone, but by various scholars over time dated to around 800 years after Ezra the scribe.
  Therefore calling into question the authenticity of the text.

Question 3

Significance

Answer 3

• Direct attack on the essence of Judaism
• Denied every major tenet of traditional Jewish belief.

Question 4

Type of challenge

Answer 4

Theology and ethics

Question 5

Stance

Answer 5

Indifference
- Some members (social structures) ignored him
Against
- Acknowledgement of the challenge and determination to resist - maintain the status quo
- Leadership including Rabbis and Talmud Torah congregation, Beth Din (Rabbinic Court of Law) and the community were against him

wanted to stick with status quo

Question 6

Supporting response

Answer 6

• Retain integrity of beliefs and ethics and Jewish identity.
• Create a cohesive congregation. Prevent adherents listening to and following him, eliminate the threat.
• Level of anxiety in the community.

Question 7

Supporting response
Actions of Amsterdam authority structures

Answer 7

The authority of the amsterdam government supported getting rid of spinoza
No religious criticism is tolerated

Question 8

Supporting response
Rabbinic authority of Amsterdam

Answer 8

• Confronted Spinoza – warning and withdrawal
• Writ of Excommunication 27 July 1656
• Whole community involved
• Issued by Talmud Torah Congregation
• Shofar (ram’s horn) blown, in front of the Aron HaKodesh (holy Ark containing the Torah scrolls) Black candles (as if mourning) held and then blown out (person being extinguished), then extinguished - torah as a reminder of the covenantal r/ship
• Congregation leader will proceed to pronounce biblical verses
• Reaffirmation of the belief - that Spinoza has attacked
  “Cursed and cast out Baruch Spinoza”, “extinguishing of the spiritual life” - A history of the Jews