"Out of Context: Misunderstanding the Bible" (Lifelong Learning course)

Aspen Jewish Congregation

Lifelong Learning Course

Out of Context:

Misunderstanding the Bible

with Rabbi David Segal

The Bible is the number one book that Americans like to pretend to have read. Pollsters George Gallup and Jim Castelli recently concluded, “Americans revere the Bible — but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.”

In this course, we'll make a dent in that illiteracy by tackling some common misconceptions about the Bible. Since the Bible is foundational to our culture, it's important to know what it actually says. We'll focus on translation errors and also wrestle with some thorny interpretive problems. Our primary texts will be excerpts from the Hebrew Bible, and our textbook will be Joel Hoffman's book (see Readings, below) and selections from other secondary texts.

Time

Seven Tuesdays, 12:00-1:45 pm

Feb 9, 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, 22

Place

CMC Aspen Campus, 0255 Sage Road 

(Across from Aspen Airport)

Room #TBA

Cost

$118 includes materials except Hoffman's book

 (please acquire that on your own; see Readings, below)

Syllabus

• Introduction
• Overview of translation issues
• Hebrew Bible vs. Christian Old Testament: What & Why?
• READ: Hoffman, Ch. 1-3; Brettler, Ch. 2-3.
• One Love, Part 1
• The V'ahavta and the Greatest Commandment: Love God with...what?
• From Oneness to Love: Rethinking the Shema
• READ: Hoffman, Ch. 4; Brettler, Ch. 10; Wyschogrod, handout.
• One Love, Part 2: Song of Songs 
• Sister, Bride? Good Book, Bad Translations
• READ: Hoffman, Ch. 6; Brettler, Ch. 25.
• Shepherds and Kings
• What Kind of Leader is God?
• READ: Hoffman, Ch. 5; Brettler, Ch. 12-13.
• The Ten Commandments Explained
• Feelings or Actions Matter?
• READ: Hoffman, Ch. 7; Brettler, Ch. 8.
• Rereading Isaiah, Part 1: The Suffering Servant
• Deutero-Isaiah's prophetic agenda
• READ: Brettler, Ch. 20.
• Rereading Isaiah, Part 2: A Child Born to a Virgin
• Isaiah's prophecy of the ordinary
• READ: Hoffman, Ch. 8; Brettler, Ch. 15, 17.

Readings

• (Please purchase or borrow) Main Text: Hoffman, Joel. And God Said: How Translations Conceal the Bible's Original Meaning.
• Optional: Brettler, Marc Zvi. How to Read the Bible.
• Optional: Hazony, David. The Ten Commandments: How Our Most Ancient Moral Text Can Renew Modern Life.
• Optional: Wyschogrod, Michael. _______

"The Other Side is Not Dumb": Can We Talk?

How about some coffee and a face-to-face chat?

We mostly live in digital echo-chambers of our own (unwitting) creation. Our Facebook feed and cable news choices filter stories and opinions that confirm our beliefs. I hear on a regular basis that Republicans and Democrats who are social friends can't talk to each other about politics. For meaningful debate and thought-provoking challenge, you have to make extra effort. It's countercultural to want to understand and learn from opponents. How sad for our democracy if that trend continues.

As Sean Blanda wrote recently, in an article entitled The Other Side is Not Dumb, the entirety of which I highly recommend,

When someone communicates that they are not “on our side” our first reaction is to run away or dismiss them as stupid. To be sure, there are hateful, racist, people not worthy of the small amount of electricity it takes just one of your synapses to fire. I’m instead referencing those who actually believe in an opposing viewpoint of a complicated issue, and do so for genuine, considered reasons. Or at least, for reasons just as good as yours.

This is not a “political correctness” issue. It’s a fundamental rejection of the possibility to consider that the people who don’t feel the same way you do might be right. It’s a preference to see the Other Side as a cardboard cut out, and not the complicated individual human beings that they actually are.

I was reminded of this truth when I got a range of reactions to my recent column about Donald Trump's campaign. Everything from "If Trump wins, I'm moving to New Zealand" to "You're being too hard on Trump" to "Rabbi, stick to talking about Judaism." It's so tempting to fire off defensive responses by email, or join the internet comment fray. And yet, what does it accomplish?

Moreover, when I write a column – like when I give a sermon – I'm looking to start a conversation. That doesn't mean I lack a point of view. But it also doesn't mean I expect everyone to agree. Quite the contrary: one of the best compliments to a sermon or column is for someone to disagree and want to engage. I welcome that! And I'm happy to say, I've had that from several respondents.

Both President Obama in his last State of the Union and Gov. Nikki Haley in her response called us to speak from our highest ideals and listen to each other as we work to fix America together. Unfortunately, we tend to reject the possibility that people with different views than ours might be right – and we also tend to reject even the chance that they might have well-considered, thoughtful opinions that differ from ours.

In that spirit: Can we talk?

Either about my Trump column, or the presidential race, or any issue you want to bring to the table. I'll set up shop at the following times and locations listed below. I invite you to join me to argue, to question, to challenge – and also to listen and learn. I think it's what our community and our country desperately need.

With blessing,
Rabbi David Segal


Schedule

• Monday January 25, 11am-1:30pm, Bonfire Coffee, 433 Main St, Carbondale
• Tuesday January 26, 11am-1:30pm, Victoria's Espresso, 510 E. Durant, Aspen
• Thursday January 28, 11am-1:30pm, Saxy's Cafe, 104 Midland Ave, Basalt
• Or by appointment, contact rabbi@aspenjewish.org / 970-925-8245 x.1