Sin.a.gogue

"A manual for living with defeat" -Tablet

It is no more possible to think about religion without sin than it is to think about a garden without dirt.

By its very nature, the ideals of religion entail sin and failure. Judaism has its own language and framework for sin that expresses themselves both legally and philosophically. Both legal questions-circumstances where sin is permissible or mandated, the role of intention and action-as well as philosophical questions-why sin occurs and how does Judaism react to religious crisis-are considered within this volume. This book will present the concepts of sin and failure in Jewish thought, weaving together biblical and rabbinic studies to reveal a holistic portrait of the notion of sin and failure within Jewish thought.

The suffix "agogue" means to lead or grow. Here as well, Sin.a.gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought will provide its readers frameworks and strategies to develop even in the face of failure.

Autorentext

David Bashevkin is the director of education for NCSY, the youth movement of the Orthodox Union, and an instructor at Yeshiva University, where he teaches courses on public policy, religious crisis, and rabbinic thought. He completed rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, as well as a Master's degree at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies focusing on the thought of Rabbi Zadok of Lublin under the guidance of Dr. Yaakov Elman. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Public Policy and Management at The New School's Milano School of International Affairs, focusing on crisis management. David has been rejected from several prestigious fellowships and awards.

Klappentext

It is no more possible to think about religion without sin than it is to think about a garden without dirt.

By its very nature, the ideals of religion entail sin and failure. Judaism has its own language and framework for sin that expresses themselves both legally and philosophically. Both legal questions-circumstances where sin is permissible or mandated, the role of intention and action-as well as philosophical questions-why sin occurs and how does Judaism react to religious crisis-are considered within this volume. This book will present the concepts of sin and failure in Jewish thought, weaving together biblical and rabbinic studies to reveal a holistic portrait of the notion of sin and failure within Jewish thought.

The suffix "agogue" means to lead or grow. Here as well, Sin.a.gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought will provide its readers frameworks and strategies to develop even in the face of failure.

Inhalt

Table of Contents*Foreword

*Introduction: The Stories We Tell

Section I: The Nature of Sin
What We Talk About When We Talk About Sin
Sin's Origins and Original Sin
Sick, Sick Thoughts: Intention and Action in Sin
What to Wear to a Sin: Negotiating With Sin
Can Sinning Be Holy?
Does God Repent?

Section II: Case Studies in Sin and Failure
Once a Jew Always a Jew? What Leaving Judaism Tells Us About Judaism
When Leaders Fail
An Alcoholic Walks into a Bar: Putting Yourself in Sin's Path
Rabbi's Son Syndrome: Why Religious Commitment Can Lead to Religious Failure
Jonah and the Varieties of Religious Motivation: Religious Frustration as a Factor in Religious Motivation

Section III: Responses to Sin and Failure
I Kind of Forgive You: Half Apologies and Half Repentance
To Whom It May Concern: Rabbinic Correspondence on Sin and Failure

*Index
Bibliography
Permissions
Acknowledgements*

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