The Medieval Jewish Family

The Medieval Jewish Family
Hebrew 371-4, Cross listed with Jewish 371-4
(Religious Studies credit available, see Dr. Ron Troxel)

Faculty:                       Michael Rony Ph.D.
Office: 1352 Van Hise
Email: rony@wisc.edu
Phone: 263-2835

Office Hours:              Tuesday 3-4 PM and by appointment

Course Description:
Can medieval Jewish philosophic texts contribute to the discussion on children's rights in the twenty-first century? This is the guiding question of our course, which explores basic Jewish texts dealing with issues of the family and in particular with child-parent relations. We will be focusing on the writings of the first prominent medieval Jewish philosopher, Saadiah Gaon.
The course is composed of six main stages: In the first stage of the course we will examine the U.N. convention on the rights of children in an attempt to define a contemporary conception of what children's rights are. In the second and third stages we will study biblical and rabbinic texts related to the topic of the family in general and child-parent relations in particular. In the fourth stage, we will read Greek philosophical texts (known to medieval Jewish philosophers) referring to child-parents relations. The fifth stage of the course will essentially be an introduction to medieval Jewish philosophy. The sixth stage will combine the former stages, as we will thoroughly study Saadiah Gaon's commentary on the fifth commandment and his discussions of child-parent relations in his main philosophical composition: Book of Doctrines and Beliefs. We will compare Saadiah's discussions to the other texts we have learned. We will conclude by discussing Maimonides' Laws of the rebellious child.
Beside the issue of family and child-parent relations, the course will also examine the reliance of medieval Jewish philosophy on ancient rabbinic and biblical texts; the tension between religion and philosophy; and the extent of the impact of historical reality on the content of medieval Jewish philosophic writings. It will also present the student with some of the main concepts which characterized medieval Jewish thought.
The course employs a historical and textual perspective. It will provide the student with the necessary tools for analyzing the differences between the texts and understanding their philosophic and historic reasons. The course encourages students to develop critical and creative reading skills while analyzing texts.

Course Style:
Methodologically, we shall stress close reading and critical analysis of primary texts in medieval Jewish philosophy (contextualized by secondary literature). The course will combine lecture, close reading, and discussion.

Course Requirements:

Syllabus
During the course of the semester, the syllabus may be modified, and handouts may be added. Any modifications / additions will be announced / distributed either in class, or by email (to your “wisc” address), or in both ways. You are responsible to be aware of any such modifications / additions.

Homework Readings and Questions
Homework completion before class is required. Homework consists of reading the assigned primary and secondary passages, thinking about them, and providing brief (two or three sentences) written answers to questions about them. Assignments must be submitted at the beginning of every class. Late Homework will not be accepted. Make two printed copies of your answers, and BRING BOTH COPIES OF YOUR HOMEWORK ANSWERS TO CLASS. YOU WILL USE THE SECOND COPY AS REFERENCE WHEN YOU ARE CALLED ON, AS WELL AS IN CLASS DISCUSSIONS. While you will be allowed to miss a maximum of three homework assignments before losing grade points, you will nevertheless be held responsible for material covered in any assignments that you miss. If you do not miss any homework assignments, your lowest three homework grades will not be counted. Original and particularly thoughtful answers will receive higher grading.

Class Attendance
Attendance for the lectures is very important, since there is no single source in the library (or the internet) for the material covered in the lectures. Attendance will not be taken directly, but the ability to complete the course assignments will indirectly reflect your attendance. If you do not attend, you will nevertheless be held responsible for material covered in any classes that you miss.

Class Participation
Under the rubric of “participation,” the following are expected of you (in addition to attendance, punctual arrival, no early departure, and preparedness). Everyone will be called on to read, explain, and analyze the primary texts. In addition, students will be expected to actively participate in class discussions.
The purpose of the course is not only to transmit information, but also to get the students engaged in the process of discovery, appreciation, and critical analysis. To accomplish this, there will be a lecture, in-class in-depth analytical reading of the texts, and discussion. Having done your homework reading and questions will greatly enhance your ability to participate intelligently. As mentioned, you should have a second copy of your homework answers, to be used as reference during analysis and discussion. Note that incisive questions — not only answers — about a passage are also considered “analysis.” If you read the assigned passages, think, answer the homework questions, and attend the lectures, you should be fully prepared to participate.

Exams and Paper
The two exams and the paper will be based upon all aspects of the course, including the primary and secondary readings, homework, and class lectures and discussions. Your answers should be based upon the primary and secondary readings and the type of analysis used in this course. Previous or outside knowledge may supplement — but may not substitute for — the readings and analysis employed in this course.

Mid-Term Paper
Paper is due in hardcopy at the beginning of class on Tuesday, February 24. NO EXCEPTIONS

Final Exam
Date: May 13; Time: 02:45 PM; Place: To Be Announced. You must take the exam at the scheduled time.
Proctored exam; Copies of the primary texts will be provided at the beginning of the exam. Other material may NOT be used.

Extra Credit for Jewish Studies Lecture Series
You are entitled to receive extra credit worth one homework assignment for attending one of the Jewish Studies Lectures and writing a one-page response to it. The list of lectures will be posted on the class "Learn@UW" site.

Study Suggestion
Your grasp of the material will be enhanced immeasurably if, in addition to studying alone, you further prepare the texts in pairs or groups, discussing and debating the texts’ meanings and implications. Note, however, that you must answer your homework questions and write your take-home paper on your own.

Grading Distribution
Homework: 20%
Class Participation: 10%
Mid-Term Paper: 20%
Mid-Term exam: 20%
Final Exam: 30%

Academic Integrity and Etiquette

Punctuality
Punctuality is required. We will start class on time and end on time. Late arrival and early departure disturb class. They are unacceptable and are cause for the loss of grade points. If in an exceptional circumstance you must arrive late or leave early, please inform me in advance, and arrive/leave unobtrusively.

Honesty
Cheating and Plagiarism are serious offenses, and will be dealt with according to University rules, which contain a provision for failing the perpetrating student for the entire course.

Extreme Circumstances
Any foreseen extreme circumstances must be brought to my attention in advance.

No Distractions
Cell phones turned off (no text-messaging or usage as watches is allowed); no talking; no reading of outside material; no meals; no elaborate food or drink; no MP and I-Pod listening. Students whose behavior in class is disruptive can expect a significant reduction in their final grade.

Schedule: (meeting number; date)

Meeting 1 (January 20) – Course Introduction; What is the modern concept of children's rights (part I)?
U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child (Preamble + Articles 1-19)
[http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/6/crc/treaties/crc.html]

Meeting 2 (January 22) – What is the modern concept of children's rights (part II)?
U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child (Preamble + Articles 20-41)
[http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/6/crc/treaties/crc.html]

Meeting 3 (January 27) – The stories of the forefathers - Abraham
Abraham and Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-14); Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19)

Meeting 4 (January 29) – The stories of the forefathers – Jacob (part I)
Jacob and Esau between Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 25:28; 27:1-28:9); Leah and Rachel – the struggle over maternal and spousal status (Genesis 29:31-30:24);

Meeting 5 (February 3) – The stories of the forefathers – Jacob (part II)
Jacob discriminating Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis 33:1-2; 37:1-35; 42:29-43:14)

Meeting 6 (February 5) – The Torah Laws of Filial Piety – What do they mean and were they actually implemented?
Exodus 20:12; Exodus 21:15; Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 19:3; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Deuteronomy 27:16
The story of King David and his son Absalom (II Samuel 13:1- 19:2)

Meeting 7 (February 10) - Reflections of the Sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud (part I):
BT- Kiddushin 29a-b

Robert Goldenberg, 'Talmud', Back to the Sources, pp. 129-132, 134 (bottom)-139, 156-160 (top)

Meeting 8 (February 12) - Reflections of the Sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud (part II):
BT- Kiddushin 30a-b

Meeting 9 (February 17) - Reflections of the Sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud (part III):
BT- Kiddushin 31a-b

Meeting 10 (February 19) - Reflections of the Sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud (part IV):
BT- Kiddushin 32a-b

MID-TERM PAPER IS DUE IN HARD COPY AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Meeting 11 (February 24) – Plato: Filial Piety
Plato, The Laws: 930b-932e (pp. 1481-1483)

Plato, The Laws, pp. 1225-1226
D. Brendan Nagle, The Household as the Foundation of Aristotle's Polis, pp. xi-7, 15-17, 60, 162-165

Meeting 12 (February 26) - Aristotle: The family as the basic unit of society and state (part I)
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: passages from chapters I:3, I:9, I:13, II:1, III:1, III:2, III:6, IV:1, IV: 9, V:6, V:8, VI:5, VI:8, VI:11, VI:13

Meeting 13 (March 3) – Aristotle: The family as the basic unit of society and state (part II)
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: passages from VII:4, VII:5, VIII:1, VIII:7-9, VIII:10-12, VIII:14, IX:2, IX:4, IX:7, X:6, X:9

D. Brendan Nagle, The Household as the Foundation of Aristotle's Polis, pp. 193-202, 266-269, 304-305

Meeting 14 (March 5) – Introduction to medieval Jewish philosophy
Judaism and the philosophical challenge: Philosophy, Revelation and Religion.
Exodus 19:9-25; Isaiah 6:1-7; Ezekiel 1:1-28.

Meeting 15 (March 10) – Saadiah Gaon (Egypt, 882 - Baghdad 942) The purpose of the Book of Doctrines and Beliefs
Book of Doctrines and Beliefs, pp. 25-31

Alexander Altmann, 'Translator's Introduction', Book of Doctrines and Beliefs, pp. 11-22

Meeting 17 (March 24) – Saadiah Gaon: The Nature of Doubt and Belief
Book of Doctrines and Beliefs, pp. 31-35
Book of Beliefs and Opinions, Introductory Treatise, Chapters III-IV, pp. 9-16

Meeting 18 (March 26) – Saadiah Gaon: The Four Roots of Knowledge
Book of Doctrines and Beliefs, pp. 36-43
Book of Beliefs and Opinions, Introductory Treatise, Chapter V, pp. 16-26

Meeting 19 (March 31) - Saadiah Gaon: Reason and Faith
Book of Doctrines and Beliefs, pp. 43-47
Book of Beliefs and Opinions, Introductory Treatise, Chapter VI-VIII, pp. 26-37

Alexander Altmann, 'Saadya's Conception of the Law', Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 28 (1944), pp. 321-339

Meeting 20 (April 2) - Saadiah Gaon: Divine Commandments – The Welfare of Children as a Reason for the Prohibition of Prostitution
Book of Doctrines and Beliefs, pp. 93-105
Book of Beliefs and Opinions, Treatise III, Exordium- Chapter III, pp. 137-147

S.D. Goitein, 'Parents and Children', Gratz College Annual of Jewish Studies 4 (1975), pp. 47-68

Meeting 21 (April 7) – Saadiah Gaon: Are Procreation and Longevity the Purpose of Existence?
Book of Beliefs and Opinions, Treatise X, Chapter IX, XI, pp. 381-383, 385-387
Genesis 1:28; Genesis 9:1, 7.

Meeting 22 (April 14) – Saadiah Gaon's Commentaries on the Fifth Commandment
Saadiah Gaon's Prayer Book, pp. 157, 203-205
Gerald Blidstein, Honor Thy Father and Mother, p. 114
Mekhilta According to Rabbi Ishmael- An analytical Translation, vol. II, Jacob Neusner (trans.), Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press, 1988, pp. 83-88
Leviticus 12: 1-8

Meeting 23 (April 16) – Comparative Study I: Saadiah's Discussions – Biblical or Talmudic?

Meeting 24 (April 21) – Comparative Study II: Saadiah's Discussions – Aristotelian or Platonic?

Meeting 25 (April 23) – Comparative Study III: Saadiah's Discussions – More Jewish or more Greek?

Meeting 26 (April 28) – Saadiah Gaon's Commentary on the Fifth Commandment from a late medieval Jewish perspective
Bahya ben Asher, Kad haKemah, pp. 310-317

Efraim Gottlieb, 'Bahya ben Asher', Encyclopedia Judaica, 2nd ed., vol. 3, pp. 64-66

Meeting 27 (April 30) – Child-Parent Relations in Maimonides' Laws of Rebels
(Part I)
Introduction to Maimonides' Philosophy
Maimonides, The Code of Maimonides – The Book of Judges, Treatise Three, Chapters V, pp. 150-153

Meeting 28 (May 5) – Child-Parent Relations in Maimonides' Laws of Rebels
(Part II)
Maimonides, The Code of Maimonides – The Book of Judges, Treatise Three, Chapters V, pp. 154-161

Meeting 29 (May 7) - Concluding Discussion: Are the ancient and medieval texts we read compatible with the UN convention?
Ron Isaacs, 'What Parents "Owe" Their Children'
(http://www.uscj.org/What_Parents_Owe_The5462.html)

Aristotle, 'Nichomachean Ethics', W. D. Ross (trans.), revised by J. O. Urmson, in: The Complete Works of Aristotle – The Revised Oxford Translation, Jonathan Barnes (ed.), vol. 2, Princeton University Press: Princeton, New Jersey, 1984

The Hebrew-English Edition of the Babylonian Talmud - Kiddushin, H. Freedman (trans.), I. Epstein (ed.), London: Soncino, 1966

Bahya ben Asher, Kad haKemah – Encyclopedia of Torah Thoughts, Charles B. Chavel (trans.), New York: Shilo, 1980

Mekhilta According to Rabbi Ishmael- An analytical Translation, vol. II, Jacob Neusner (trans.), Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press, 1988

Maimonides, Code of Maimonides – The Book of Judges, Abraham M. Hershman (trans.), New Haven: Yale University Press, 1949

Plato, The Laws, A. E. Taylor (trans.), in: The Collected works of Plato (Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns (eds.), Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1989

Saadiah Gaon, 'Book of Doctrines and Beliefs', Alexander Altmann (trans. and ed.), Three Jewish Philosophers, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1960

Saadia Gaon, The Book of Beliefs and Opinions, Samuel Rosenblatt (trans.), 2nd ed, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976

Tanakh – The Holy Scriptures, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1988

U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child (http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/6/crc/treaties/crc.html)

Alexander Altmann, Alexander, 'Saadya's Conception of the Law', Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 28 (1944), pp. 321-339

Blidstein, Gerald, Honor Thy Father and Mother – Filial Responsibility in Jewish Law and Ethics, Ktav: New York, 1975

Goitein, Shlomo D., 'Parents and Children: A Geniza Study on the medieval Jewish Family', Gratz College Annual of Jewish Studies 4 (1975), pp. 47-68

Goldenberg, Robert, 'Talmud', Back to the Sources, Barry W. Holtz (ed.), New York: Touchstone, 1992, pp. 129-160

Gottlieb, Efraim, 'Bahya ben Asher', Encyclopedia Judaica, Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik (eds.), 2nd ed., Detroit: Macmillan Reference, 2007, vol. 3, pp. 64-66

Greenstein, Edward L., 'Biblical Law', Back to the Sources, Barry W. Holtz (ed.), New York: Touchstone, 1992, pp. 83-99

Isaacs, Ron, 'What Parents "Owe" Their Children', (http://www.uscj.org/What_Parents_Owe_The5462.html)

Nagle, D. Brendan, The Household as the Foundation of Aristotle's Polis, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006

Rosenberg, Joel, 'Biblical Narrative', in: Back to the Sources, Barry W. Holtz (ed.), New York: Touchstone, 1992, pp. 31-81.
Sirat, Colette, A History of Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985

Purim

Passover II – Galuyot

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Latest revision date: 12/18/2008