Jewish studies

Jewish studies also known as Judaic studies is a subject area of study available at many colleges and universities in the Western World.

Related Topics:
Jewish - College - Universities

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Traditionally, Jewish studies was part of the natural practice of Judaism by Jews. The study of Torah, Tanakh, and Talmud was all part of every-day religious life for the Jewish people. Since the Renaissance and the growth of higher education through universities in modern times, and following the mass-secularization of most Jews today, many people, including people not of the Jewish faith, have chosen to study Jewish studies as a means of understanding the Jewish religion, heritage, and Jewish history.

Related Topics:
Judaism - Jew - Torah - Tanakh - Talmud - Renaissance - Modern

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For the minority of Jews who are religious, there are opportunities at Orthodox Judaism yeshivas or at institutions such as at Conservative Judaism's Jewish Theological Seminary and the Reform Judaism 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.

Related Topics:
Orthodox Judaism - Yeshiva - Conservative Judaism - Jewish Theological Seminary - Reform Judaism - Hebrew Union College

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The subject of the Holocaust and the associated phenomenon of Anti-Semitism as well as the rise of the modern State of Israel and the revival of the modern 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.

Related Topics:
Holocaust - Anti-Semitism - State of Israel - Hebrew language

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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 these subject for non-degree as well as for credits in obtaining a BA or MA 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.

Related Topics:
Middle East - Arab-Israeli conflict - Israeli-Palestinian conflict - Jew - Judaism - Zionism - BA - MA - Ph.D.

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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.

Related Topics:
Jesus - Christianity - Monotheism - Judaism - Islam - Spirituality - Philosophy - Kabbalah - Jewish philosophy - Israel - Christian Zionists

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

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