Jewish Ethics: From Theory to Practice
Jewish Ethics: From Theory to Practice
Dr. Yonatan Brafman, Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought and Ethics; Director of the MA Program in Jewish Ethics
Thursdays, 7:00–9:15 p.m.: January 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 2019
From political and financial scandals to rapid progress in biomedical science and technology, the complex issues of modern society are, at their core, issues of ethical and moral concern. How can Jewish ethics inform our discussions and decisions about the critical questions of the day? And what exactly do we mean by “Jewish ethics”? Is it identical with halakhah? Or do notions of God and covenant also influence our ethical decision making? Is Jewish ethics really that different from Western philosophical ethics? What interpretive challenges are involved when we attempt to apply traditional texts to contemporary issues? This course will highlight different Jewish approaches to grappling with ethical dilemmas, encouraging you to reflect on how you determine what is ethical. We will also read and discuss responses to some current issues from the perspective of Jewish ethics.
Tuition: $250 / eight sessions
This course is open to graduates of Context and Me’ah.
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About Professor Brafman
Yonatan Brafman studies the intersection of Jewish thought, Jewish law, and contemporary moral and legal philosophy. He is coeditor, with Leora Batnitzky, of an anthology titled Jewish Legal Theories and is currently working on a manuscript titled Critical Philosophy of Halakha.
For more information, contact:
Lynn Feinman
(212) 678-8821
lyfeinman@jtsa.edu