The Place of Place in Jewish Tradition Place

The Place of “Place” in Jewish Tradition

Place • “All of our experience is bound up with place. ” • How are we tied to a “place? ” o o o Objects Memories Identity Belonging Longing

Land • • As partner As gift As symbol of the covenant As constant • Instability of the Land • Alienation from the Land o Cain • Nod – movement

Abraham • “…humans can not live in such states of wandering, not knowing what place to call home. . . ” • “Unlike the others, where displacement was punishment, this was redemption. It was not separation from, but call to. Abraham was going home. ” (p. 212)

Mezuzah • Shared residence • Embassy of the Holy Land • Spiritual dimension of Israel

Tallit

Phalectory

Law and Love in Jewish Theology

The Torah • As marriage contract (Ketubah) o Betrothed to G-D • Not a dry legal document, but an expression of love • Not Law alone

• “Observance of the law is a free expression of joy and not a spiritually crippling manifestation of servitude. Observance of the commandments is not a curse from which the Jew needs to be redeemed, but a blessing which makes one worthy of being redeemed. ” (p. 468)

• Observance of the Law is the Jew’s primary way of manifesting his or her love for G-D. (p. 471)