Jewish Studies

Jewish studies
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Jewish studies (or Judaic studies) is an academic discipline centered on the study of Jews and Judaism. Jewish studies is interdisciplinary and combines aspects of history (especially Jewish history), religious studies, archeology, sociology, languages (Jewish languages), political science, area studies, women's studies, and ethnic studies. Jewish studies as a distinct field is mainly present at colleges and universities in North America.

Related fields include Holocaust studies and Israel studies.

History
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Judaism
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Noahide laws · God · Eschatology · Messiah
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Torah · Tanakh · Talmud · Midrash · Tosefta
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Religious Law
Talmud · Mishne Torah · Tur
Shulchan Aruch · Mishnah Berurah · Chazon Ish
Kashrut · Rov · Chazakah · Hechsher · Chametz
Holy cities
Jerusalem · Safed · Hebron · Tiberias
Important figures
Abraham · Sarah · Isaac · Rebecca ·
Jacob/Israel · Rachel · Leah · Twelve Tribes · Moses
Deborah · Ruth · Solomon · David
Hillel · Shammai · Rabbi Akiva · Judah the Prince
Rav · Saadia Gaon · Rif · Rashi · Tosafists
Maimonides · Nahmanides · Yosef Karo
Jewish life cycle
Brit · Bar/Bat Mitzvah · Shidduch · Marriage
Niddah · Naming · Pidyon HaBen · Bereavement
Religious roles
Rabbi · Rebbe · Posek · Hazzan
Kohen/Priest · Mashgiah · Gabbai · Maggid
Mohel · Beth din · Rosh yeshiva
Religious Kehilla & institutions
Cheder · Talmud Torah · Yeshiva · Synagogue
Mikvah · Gemach · Chevra Kadisha · Kollel
Religious buildings
Holy Temple / Tabernacle
Synagogue · Mikvah · Sukkah
Religious articles
Tallit · Tefillin · Kippah · Sefer Torah
Tzitzit · Mezuzah · Menorah · Hanukiah · Shofar
4 Species · Kittel · Gartel · Yad
Jewish prayers and services
Shema · Adon Olam · Amidah · Aleinu · Kol Nidre
Musaf · Kaddish · Hallel · Ma Tovu · Selichot
Birkat HaMazon · Tefilat HaDerech · Shehecheyanu
Tachanun · Kabbalat Shabbat · Havdalah
Jewish Clothing Articles
Shtreimel · Bekishe · Fedora · Yarmulke
Sheitel · Tichel
Judaism & other religions
Christianity · Islam · "Judeo-Christian" · Others
Abrahamic faiths · Judeo-Paganism · Pluralism
Related topics
Antisemitism · Criticism
Philo-Semitism · Slavery · Yeshiva · Zionism
v • d • e
The Jewish tradition generally places a high value on learning and study, especially of religious texts. Torah study (compromising study of the Torah and more broadly of the entire Hebrew Bible as well as Rabbinic literature such as the Talmud and Midrash) is considered a religious obligation.

Since the Renaissance and the growth of higher education, many people, including people not of the Jewish faith, have chosen to study Jews and Judaism as a means of understanding the Jewish religion, heritage, and Jewish history.

Religious instruction specifically for Jews, especially for those who wish to join the rabbinate, is taught at Jewish seminaries (and in Orthodox Judaism, yeshivas). Among the most prominent are the Conservative Jewish Theological Seminary and the Reform Hebrew Union College. For the majority of Jewish students attending regular academic colleges and universities there is a growing choice of Jewish studies courses and even degrees available at many institutions.

The subject of the Holocaust and the associated phenomenon of antisemitism, as well as the establishment of the modern State of Israel and the revival of the Hebrew language have all stimulated unusual interest in greater in-depth academic study, research, reading and lecturing about these core areas of knowledge related to current events. In the United States, the unique social position that [[|American Jews|Jewish Americans]] have held within the nation's complex social structure has created substantial scholarship, especially with regards to topics such as interfaith marriage, political activism and influence on popular culture.

The political situation in the Middle East, especially the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has raised the profile of Jews, Judaism, and Zionism on campuses, spurring many on to study this subject for non-degree as well as for credits in obtaining a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts degree. A growing number of mature students are even obtaining Ph.D.s in Jewish studies judging by the quantity of courses and programs available. Many hope to obtain employment in the field of Jewish education or in Jewish communal service agencies.

Many Christians are searching for an understanding of the Jewish background for Jesus and Christianity and for the source of monotheism that sprang from Judaism. There are those who are seeking an understanding of the complex and volatile relationship between Islam and Judaism. Others are searching for spirituality and philosophy and therefore seek classes in Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and Jewish philosophy. There are also those who have a genuine concern and attachment to modern Israel as Christian Zionists and therefore seek to learn more about the subjects related to their beliefs.

The following are only a few significant examples of places where Jewish studies are offered and flourish in an academic setting:


[edit] Albany, State University of New York
The Judaic Studies (JST) department at UAlbany offers undergraduate courses at elementary and advanced levels, many of which