Teaching and living a prophetic vision of Jewish life renewed in Yeshua

Transcription

1 Teaching and living a prophetic vision of Jewish life renewed in Yeshua SL501 Messianic Jewish Spirituality Rabbi Joshua Brumbach (rebyosh@ahavatzion.org) Blogsite: Orbund December 31, 2017-March 4, 2018 (Winter Quarter, ) COURSE DESCRIPTION The spiritual life of Messianic Judaism shares uniquely in the values and practices of Jewish tradition while also drawing from Christian tradition. This course provides a framework for understanding Messianic Jewish spirituality in terms of its sources in the two traditions, treating major issues and trends in Jewish piety including chassidut, mussar, Talmud Torah and liturgical prayer, and relevant sources in Christian piety including prayer, devotional writings, and charisma. RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM This class is required for all MJTI degree students. RELEVANCE Messianic Jewish spirituality seeks to promote a vital, vibrant and mature relationship with God and humankind among those bound by the irrevocable covenant with Israel. It is rooted in Scripture, informed by Jewish tradition, dependent upon Yeshua s creative, redemptive, and intercessory work, and responsive to the Divine Presence. This course will introduce avenues for making Messianic Jewish spirituality a lived reality. We will delve into the central tenets of Jewish faith, piety and spirituality, exploring various means of nurturing this life in individuals and congregations. PREREQUISITES None TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS This is an online course. The student must have a computer and Internet access. Please contact Joyce Klayman, our IT assistant, for technical help at jbklay@gmail.com. COURSE FORMAT Lecture (by podcast) and asynchronous online discussion (by blog) REQUIREMENTS Watching all podcast lectures, timely completion of reading assignments, full participation in all blog discussions, and completion of final examination.

2 REQUIRED TEXTS (The publication dates indicate the required edition of each text) Books: Dresner, Samuel H. I Asked for Wonder: A Spiritual Anthology of Abraham Joshua Heschel. New York: Crossroad, 1992 (any edition acceptable). Levertoff, Paul Philip. Love and the Messianic Age. Marshfield, MO: Vine of David, Available from the First Fruits of Zion website at Lichtenstein, Isaac. The Everlasting Jew. Marshfield, MO: Vine of David, Available from the First Fruits of Zion website at Rudolph, David and Joel Willits. Introduction to Messianic Judaism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, A Traditional Siddur (Recommended Options: Sim Shalom (Conservative), Koren Sacks, or Artscroll). Articles (will be provided): Brumbach, Joshua. The Role of Torah and Jewish Tradition in the Messianic Jewish Community. Kinbar, Carl. Learning as a Spiritual Practice Kinzer, Mark S. Prayer in Israel, Prayer in Yeshua.. Pots, Pans & Seraphim: Messianic Jewish Prayer in its Heavenly Context. Sacks, Jonathan. A Judaism Engaged with the World. MJRC Standards of Observance - available online via PDF packet: RECOMMENDED READING Dosick, Wayne. Dancing with God. New York: HarperCollins, Goldstein, Niles Elliot. Gonzo Judaism. Boston: Trumpeter, HaLevy, Baruch and Ellen Frankel. Revolution of Jewish Spirit. Woodstock: Jewish Lights, Heschel, Abraham Joshua. The Sabbath. Boston: Shambhala Books, Kaunfer, Elie. Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about Building Vibrant Jewish Communities. Woodstock: Jewish Lights, Milgram, Goldie. Living the Jewish Lifecycle: How to Create Meaningful Jewish Rites of Passage at Every Stage of Life. Woodstock: Jewish Lights, Rothschild, Fritz A. Between God and Man. New York: Free Press, Winkler, Gershon. The Way of the Boundary Crosser. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, Wolfson, Ron. Relational Judaism. Woodstock: Jewish Lights,

3 ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINES Live two (2) hour webcasts will occur six (6) Sundays designated on the course outline at 12:00pm EST. On weeks without a live webcast, Podcasts will be posted on Orbund on Sunday morning by Noon EST. The podcasts must be viewed/listened to prior to blog participation. Each week discussion questions will be posted on Orbund. Participation in the asynchronous online discussion is crucial to learning in the course and to your course grade. In order to sustain a meaningful asynchronous discussion, students must normally log on to Orbund and respond to the reflection questions, posting five or more times for each designated week. There will also be a final paper, not to exceed 5,000 words. The assignment will be available on Orbund Friday, February 23 rd, and when completed, must be uploaded on Orbund by 11:55 EST Sunday, March 4, If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at rebyosh@ahavatzion.org. COURSE OUTLINE *Please read the introductions and relevant prefaces to all four books prior to the first day of class. Week 1 (December 31, January 5, 2018): Introduction to Jewish Spirituality -Assigned Reading: Levertoff, (Chapter 1) / Sacks article, A Judaism Engaged with the World (to be provided), [39 pages] (WEBCAST WEEK Sunday, December 31 st at 12:00pm EST) Week 2 (January 7-12): God in Jewish Thought -Assigned Reading: Heschel, 1-19 (Chapter 1) / Levertoff, (Chapter 3-4) [28 pages] (WEBCAST WEEK Sunday, January 7 th at 12:00pm EST) Week 3 (January 14-19): Prayer -Assigned Reading: Heschel, (Chapters 2-3) / Levertoff, (Chapter 5) / Kinzer article, Prayer in Israel, Prayer in Yeshua (to be provided), [48 pages] (WEBCAST WEEK Sunday, January 14 th at 12:00pm EST) Week 4 (January 21-26): Prayer - Part II: The Siddur as an Instrument of Holiness -Reading: Heschel, (Chapter 4) / Levertoff, (Chapter 6) / Rudolph, / Kinzer article, Pots, Pans & Seraphim: Messianic Jewish Prayer in its Heavenly Context (to be provided), 1-7. [29 pages] Week 5 (January 28 - February 2): Torah and Mitzvot -Assigned Reading: Levertoff, (Chapter 2) / Heschel, (Chapters 6-7) / Rudolph, / Brumbach article, The Role of Torah and Jewish Tradition in the Messianic Jewish Community (to be provided), [44 pages] 3

4 Week 6 (February 4-9): Learning as Worship -Assigned Reading: Heschel, (Chapter 5) / Carl Kinbar article, Learning as a Spiritual Practice (to be provided). /Rudolph, / Other handouts to be provided. [50+ pages] (WEBCAST WEEK Sunday, February 4 th at 12:00pm EST) Week 7 (February 11-16): Path of Discipleship -Assigned Reading: Lichtenstein, / MJRC Standards, Tevilat Mashiach and Zichron Mashiach / Kinzer article, Israel s Eschatological Renewal in Water and Spirit (will be provided) [59 pages] (WEBCAST WEEK Sunday, February 11 th at 12:00pm EST) Week 8 (February 18-23): Love and Messiah / Course Conclusion -Assigned Reading: Levertoff, (Epilogue) / Lichtenstein, , 133 [16 pages] (WEBCAST WEEK Sunday, February 18 th at 12:00pm EST) Final paper (5,000 words) due by Sunday, March 4, 2017 by 11:55pm EST on Orbund. LEARNING OBJECTIVES After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: Explain what a vibrant Messianic Jewish Spirituality looks like; Explain how Yeshua relates to, and renews and energizes Jewish life; Provide a basic introduction to the life and work of Levertoff, Heschel and Lichtenstein; Explain Jewish prayer and how it differs from other faith traditions; Give a basic outline of the Siddur and explain core concepts within Jewish liturgy; Explain how the course has deepened your relationship with HaShem; Summarize the basic tools necessary to pursue a vibrant spiritual life. ASSESSMENT Grades will be awarded according to the following criteria: class participation, including weekly blog posts (40%), completion of assigned reading (20%) and a final 5,000 word paper (40%). THE GRADING SYSTEM The basic letter grades have the following significance: A Exemplary B Adequate C Passing, but requiring substantial improvement P Passing (for use only if the Pass/Fail option is available and selected) F Failed Grades have been assigned the following numerical values for the purpose of computing the grade point average: A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 F 0.0 Further aspects of the MJTI Grading System can be found on page 30 of the MJTI Catalog. 4

5 STANDARD MJTI ASSESSMENT RUBRICS Assessment Criteria for Asynchronous Online discussion. Analytical Reflection Evidence/Support Interaction Writing Total 30% 30% 30% 10% 100% Demonstrates a serious attempt to grapple with the Unit material. Analysis is reasonable and gives opportunity for interaction. Asks relevant questions. Supports discussion points with references to assigned readings, logical analysis, and examples. Gives citations (work, page number) for material quoted or paraphrased. Interacts with the instructor and other students. Discusses agreement or disagreement with classmates analytical reflections and provide explanation of logic; and/or respond to questions posed in classmates analytical reflections, and when appropriate, reference assigned readings, logical analysis, and examples. Writes in clear, concise, and grammatically acceptable terms. Assessing Essay and Short Answer questions on Exams Assessment Criteria for Essays and Short Answers A (exemplary) B (adequate) C (passing) F (failed) Quality of thought Fresh or even original Mostly derivative or clichéd Fully derivative; clichéd No evident effort to understand Engagement with subject Deeply engaged Modestly engaged Superficially Engaged Disengaged Organization Well organized Somewhat choppy Poor Disorganized Mechanics of writing and documentation Nearly error-free Some errors or sloppiness Many errors and very sloppy Filled with errors and sloppiness Argument and support Well argued and documented Reasonable clarity and support Roughly argued and poorly documented No clearly supported argument 5

6 STRUCTURED WORK HOURS 12 hours Podcast and video conference sessions 30 hours Participation in asynchronous online discussion 28 hours 450 pages of assigned reading 20 hours Final Paper (5,000 words at 250 words per hour) 90 hours Total structured hours 6