JEWISHST 211 / HDS 1672 – Israel’s Chosenness: Ancient Roots and Modern Manifestations

JEWISHST 211 / HDS 1672 – Israel’s Chosenness: Ancient Roots and Modern Manifestations

Semester: Spring
Offered: 2025
Instructors: Shaul Magid, Ishay Rosen-Zvi
Meeting Time: T, 12:00-2:00pm

What is chosenness? What does it mean for God to choose a people? For a people to be chosen? What kind of role does this ideology play in Jewish tradition? In contemporary Judaism? In Zionism?  These issues cannot be comprehended without tackling their ancient origins, from the Bible to the rabbis and early Christianity. At the same time, it is mandatory to acknowledge that contemporary processes are not simply modern manifestations of ancient debates. A double look is thus required in order to account for these issues: ancient roots and modern metamorphoses. It is this double look that this course is tailored to offer. 

Jointly Offered with: Harvard Divinity School as HDS 1672

For more details please visit the Harvard Course Catalog.