Course Overview
Course Staff
This course offers insights from the Bible into the importance of the Land of Israel in Jewish life. Dealing with many of the issues and ideas that have played a pivotal role in shaping Jewish identity, it sheds light on some of the key moral and political problems that Israel faces today. This text-based course focuses on aspects of the very first journeys to the Land of Israel as described in the earliest books of the Bible. The lessons revolve around problems that arose as a result of the tension between the promise of the Land and the reality, both within the community of Israel and in its dealings with the nations within and along the way to the Land.
Course Overview
"Journeys to the Land of Israel …", is not another Bible course. Our interactive learning approach includes chevruta (pair, or group) assignments, discussions on the Discussion Board, and live web events. Students are welcome to contact the teacher via e-mail with any questions or comments and can expect a swift reply.
The course content as well as the way topics are presented and studied reflects maximum concern for contemporary relevance. We will show how many of the issues addressed shed light on some of the critical issues we currently face, such as the challenges to Jewish faith and commitment, defining the role and significance of Israel for the Jewish people, the problem of Israel in the media, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Unit 1: Moving to a New Land - Fears and Hopes - The Story of Abraham
We will examine the fears and hopes related to moves from one place to another and the extent to which these are reflected in Abraham's dramatic move from his native land to the Land of Israel.
Unit 2: "Why a Land? Why the Land of Israel?"
We will examine why God called upon Abraham to move from his native land to the Land of Israel. In addressing this question we will discuss both the relationship between land and people-hood, particularly the relationship between the Land of Israel and the People of Israel
Unit 3: "Preparing for Entry into the Land"
We will move forward in Biblical history to the time in which the promise to Abraham regarding the Land was on the verge of fulfillment? We will see the "mission" that was sent in preparation for the imminent entry into the Land, the reactions of the people, the leadership to this mission, and the way in which the mission affected the journey into the Land.
Unit 4: "Ethics and the Journey toward the Promised Land"
We will discuss the role that ethics played in determining the length and course of the journey toward the Promised Land. We will examine the critical role that sensitivity regarding territorial rights of other nations played in fulfilling the divine promise.
Course Goals:
- To foster a deeper understanding of the centrality of Israel in Judaism and some of the key principles that shaped the identity of the Jewish people.
- To instill an appreciation for the biblical text and for its relevance for contemporary Jews.
- To provide a forum in which to discuss the meaning and significance of the Torah text.
Time Commitment:4 -6 hours a week for 4 weeks.
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Course Staff
David Harbater served as Curriculum Writer and Coordinator for the Florenc Melton Adult Mini-School from 1995-2001. In this context he wrote, "Purposes of Jewish Living", a course dealing with some of the central issues in Jewish thought and a course entitled, "Rhythms of Jewish Living" dealing with the Jewish rhythms of daily life and life-cycle. David has taught Jewish studies at the Pelech High School in Jerusalem and at the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School in New York as well as at various adult education institutes and synagogues in the U.S. and Israel. David holds an MS in Jewish History from Yeshiva University, spent four years as a doctoral student in Jewish History at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education at the University of Haifa.
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