Lectures
on Islam and Judaism
for
Synagogue Scholar in Residence Programs
Judaic
and Islamic Studies
Program
in Religious Studies
sward@uwyo.edu. 303 981-7561. http://uwyo.edu/sward
Begin the
series, perhaps on Friday Night, with a general introduction to Islam. We’ll
learn something about demography, “believing, behaving and belonging,” the five
pillars, basic beliefs about God, prophets, books, fate and judgment, Prayer,
and the night journey to Jerusalem. We’ll read texts from Koran and
Hadith—Islamic Scripture and “oral tradition”—to give your congregants a basic
introduction that goes far beyond media reports. Throughout, the goal is show
ways in which our traditions are the same—and in which they differ.
A second
topic, perhaps for Shabbat morning, would reflect the Torah Reading: comparing
and contrasting the parasha with parallel narrative, ethical, or legal
material in Islam. Often the parallels—and the differences—are quite striking.
Parallel texts include Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Red Heifer, the Golden Calf,
Korah, and others.
A third
talk, perhaps Shabbat afternoon (or in the evening or Sunday morning), might
cover Zionism and the Koran: the fascinating way in which the Koran endorses a
central tent of Jewish belief—the eternal promise of land to the People of
Israel—yet cannot be read as a Zionist document.
Some other
suggestions:
- A comparison of the famous
statement “He who maintains a single life… ”—found both in Mishnah
Sanhedrin and Qur’an chapter 5.
- Bamakom Asher Yivhar:
- An analysis of the views of
Professor Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) on Islam, and their
continuing relevance today, first presented in Warsaw at a conference
celebrating the centenary of Heschel’s birth.
- A workshop about different
viewpoints within Islam today. Jews must realize that Iranians, al-Qaida,
Muslim Brotherhood, and secular radicals (like Yasir Arafat and Saddam)
are quite different, and to distinguish extreme from moderate or
progressive voices. If appropriate, we can discuss the achievements and
pitfalls of various endeavors such as the outreach efforts of Reform
Judaism and the Islamic Society of North America.
- Formal study of Islam and
Muslims as found in some of the traditional sources such as the Kuzari,
Mishneh Torah of the Rambam and so forth
- Maimonides and Islamic sources
and theories on Idolatry.
I am not a
prophet (or a fool or a child as per Baba Batra 12b)—or a public policy
specialist: I cannot predict the future or give specific solutions. I can,
however, provide a Judaic studies approach appropriate for a community audience
and help North American Jews understand some of the complexities of the Jewish-Islamic
interface. I look forward to working
with your congregation.
Seth
Ward
teaches Islamic and Judaic topics and Modern Middle East in the Religious
Studies program at the