Religion and Life- Semester 2 Exam Flashcards
Twerski- groundbreaking exposition of spousal abuse in Jewish community
1996 book, “The Shame Borne in Silence: Spouse Abuse in the Jewish Community.”
What did Twerski teach about self-esteem?
○ The root of self esteem is chesed
§ Genesis 2:18: “God said ‘it is not good that man be alone,’”
□ Inability to do chesed leaves one unfulfilled
§ “…one of the factors that leads to addiction is self-centredness.”
- Aish.com article
- *LESS INDIVIDUALISTIC THAN SOCIETAL IDEOLOGY
What were Twerski’s community activities?
Born in Milwaukee in 1930, he was the first American-born child of Rabbi Jacob Twerski, who immigrated to the U.S. from Russia in 1927 and served as a leading rabbi in the city’s Jewish community for decades.
- Milwaukee leading rabbi for decades
–> § Brought secular understanding to religious institutions
How did the Twerski’s cultural context (social factor) influence his interaction with religion?
- Cultural context: grew up in Hasidic family-> immersed in Hasidic tradition-> influenced his approach to religious teachings and practice
- He incorporated this into works
Social factor of family on Twerski’s interaction with religion
His family:
- Siblings raised to stand in both secular and religious world
- “Twerski and his four brothers were all ordained rabbis and university educated. His brother Aaron is a professor at Brooklyn Law School, and his brother Michel is a Hassidic rabbi in Milwaukee.”
- By Ilan Ben Zion, 2021 □ Reporter for Zionist and Jewish organisations
- Saw religion and societal pursuits as able to coexist
Educational factor influencing interaction with religion?
Educational factor: attended public school in Milwaukee and acted in Christmas play in 2nd grade
- Able to separate beliefs from life -> constant immersion not necessary to maintain faith and Jewish identity
Parentage as a social factor influencing his interaction with religion
The patient told him, “Your father was here yesterday. It was so remarkable, because ever since my operation, I was not free of pain. Nothing the doctors prescribed seemed to help. But yesterday, when your father walked in, I felt the pain lift off, as if by magic.”
“The young Rabbi Twerski realized that he could not help people by wielding the spiritual powers in which Chasidic rebbes like his father were adept. He would have to find another way, by becoming a psychiatrist.”
- Sara Roheved Rigler
○ Contemporary Jewish author of religious books
Twerski’s interplay between religion and society in addiction discourse
- Rehab clinic
○ 12 steps with Jewish undertones
Rejected psychoanalytic approach to addiction:"He found that this tougher approach accorded with the Orthodox approach to combating the 'evil inclination,' as well as A.A. tenets." - Helped them with substance at hand, rather than delving into psychoanalytical explanations - Derived from Torah - By Joseph Berger, 2021 ○ Joseph Berger: Jewish American author, journalist and speaker § Editor for NY times from 1984-2014
Why was Twerski the first public figure and widespread pioneer of existing in both worlds?
His work came at a time of increasing technological advancement. Thus, he was able to reach an unprecedented number of people.
Impact of Twerski’s interplay between religion and society
Path of leading both a secular and religious life more clearly defined
Stigma surrounding mental health in Jewish communities lessened
Addiction programs enshrined with Jewish teachings
Books and commentaries continue to provide guidance
- Published 90 books
What rehabilitation initiative did Twerski start? (1972)
Years ago, Rabbi Twerski started a rehabilitation program in Israel for ex-convicts who had been imprisoned for drug-related crimes. At the first meeting, he said that recovery depends on developing self-esteem.
○ Religion does not demand perfection
- There is redemption
You will not be shunned
What did Zvi Gluck, 2021 stay about Twerski’s impact? (Israel National News website article)
Essentially, he, as a public figure, is a role model.
“…could balance Torah… while still being able to adapt his expertise and advice to contemporary times to be consistent with changing realities. I have tried to model… after the example that Rabbi Dr. Twerski set… if Rabbi Dr. Twerski was comfortable enough to publicly state that change is appropriate and healthy when needed, then surely I can do the same.”
What is the significance of Twerski as a role model?
§ ROLE MODEL
○ Shifting view of religious leaders
§ Can be both secularly and religiously focused
○ Broke through stigma and spoke out
*CHALLENGE VIEW THAT RELIIGOUS INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT UP-TO-DATE WITH SOCIETY
What did the enlightenment cause in France?
French revolution, starting in 1789:
- Uprooted monarchy and
- Ended feudal system
- Fairer representation of people under government
- Why?
○ Enlightenment encouraged questioning of old institutions
- Liberty, equality, fraternity
○ Every person, including Jews, must have this
- Law, liberty and order
○ Liberty- lack of scientific differentiation between man
What occurred in 1791, France?
1791: emancipated Jews officially and made them full citizens
- Allowed them to enter trades, leave ghettos, converse with Christians, etc.
What was “the Jewish problem”? How did it lead to emancipation?
Napoleon:
○ Hoped to solve “Jewish problem” through rational planning
§ Equal rights and new opportunities turn Jews into loyal, modern citizens
§ Assimilation, intermarriage and conversion do rest of reducing Jewish identity
How did Napoleon approach the “Jewish problem”?
○ 1806: established Grand Sanhedrin: Gave 12 questions to Sanhedrin
§ Are Frenchmen brethren or strangers?
□ Marriage: intermarriage
□ French law says no divorce
® Jews can divorce all the time
□ Are Jews bound to civil or religious law?
What did the enlightenment cause?
CAUSED HASKALAH: Late 18th century to end of 19th century.
- Jewish enlightenment: intellectual movement among the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe
○ Caused SIGNIFICANT changes within Jewish community
§ Reactions of both adaptation and rejection
How did reform Judaism develop as a response to the Haskalah?
○ Moses Mendelson: (1729-1786, Germany): German Jewish philosopher, first Jew to gain acceptance into German intellectual society
§ Translation of Torah into German □ Said Yiddish should not be used □ Magnum opus: "Jerusalem" ® Stressed tolerance and the Judaism's foundation in reason ® Galvanised and led to "Maskilim"- people who embraced enlightenment side of Judaism - "Be a cosmopolitan man in the street, and a Jew in your home"
When was first reform synagogue opened?
® First reform synagogue opened in Germany in 1820
◊ Pulled further away from tradition
} Shifted synagogue services
– Mixed-gender seating
– Organs
– Sermons spoken in German
– Zionism omitted in prayer
– New Jewish schools emphasised secular over Torah studies
Who was the father of Modern orthodoxy? What was his philosophy?
§ Samson Raphael Hirsch: 1808-1888: German orthodox rabbi and intellectual, father of modern orthodoxy
Philosophy: "Torah with Derekh Eretz (the way of the land)" after the verse in Chapters of the Fathers (2:2) that "Torah is good together with derekh eretz." Ideal Jew: "Israel-man" ® Proudly Jewish and believer in Torah ® Also a cultured "man"- belonging to modern world □ Didn't believe people who did not believe in Torah should represent all Jews ® Reform □ Allowed men to shave beards Small concessions
What was assimilation during the Haskalah?
Antisemitism increased as people did not accept emancipation.
Therefore, many assimilated or converted to Christianity to fit in with German society.
Movement to stop believing in Mashiach-> motivated by societal view that Mashiach had arrived already: Jesus Christ
4 of 6 of Mendelson’s children converted to Christianity
§ Success of Napoleon's solving of "Jewish problem" Equal rights and new opportunities turn Jews into loyal, modern citizens
Who was the father of ultra-orthodoxy, and what was his ideology?
○ Chatam Sofer: Rabbi Moses Schreiber- One of leading Orthodox rabbis in European Jewry during 19th century
§ Rejected modernity entirely
- Motto against reform:
○ “Anything new is forbidden by Torah.”
The Rabbis perceived the Haskalah as a modern version of old struggle between Judaism and Hellenism.
What is a religious issue in history?
· Haskalah – Jewish Enlightenment & emancipation
· 1770’s-1880’s
Led to the division of Judaism into 3 different sects
