The Importance of Shame in Rabbinic Tradition

Dr. David Kraemer
By :  David C. Kraemer Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian and Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics Posted On Jan 24, 2022 / 5782 | Monday Webinar The Power of Emotion: Judaism and the Inner Life

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Part of the learning series, The Power of Emotion: Judaism and the Inner Life

We often think of shame or embarrassment as an experience to be avoided, and, to be sure, rabbinic tradition considers shaming someone else in public to be a grievous sin. But the Talmud also teaches that the capacity to feel shame is important, for the fear of shame will keep one from sin. Dr. David Kraemer discusses this complicated emotion and how Jewish tradition “feels” about it.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Joy. Grief. Anger. Shame. Love. Emotional experience is often at the center of our lives. Join us for sessions that explore perceptions of emotions in Jewish texts and offer surprising and useful insights for understanding the feelings that make up our inner worlds.

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