The Place of “Place” in Jewish Tradition

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 Objectso Memorieso Identityo Belongingo Longing

Land• As partner• As gift• As symbol of the covenant• As constant

• Instability of the Land

• Alienation from the Lando 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)