REL 295-02 - Special Topic: Jewish Saints and Jewish Utopias

4 credits (Spring Term 2)

What is the relationship between ethical behavior and a just society? Does political justice require moral saints? Does love of neighbor scale up for socialism? This course is a critical examination of moral perfectionism and political utopianism in the Jewish tradition. We examine traditions of the Biblical prophets and rabbinic ideas about the messiah; holy men and heretics; spiritual disciplines and ethical austerities; Jewish Communists and messianic Zionism. Readings from Maimonides, Levinas, Arendt, and others.

Prerequisite: REL 101, REL 102, REL 103, REL 104, REL 105, or second-year standing.
Instructor: Ratzman