Looks like my Mikra (Tanakh, ie Bible) class this semester is going to be on theophany, ie visible manifestations of the Divine in the Bible.
I’m so happy. Theology theology theology! Prof. opened the class talking about Rudolph Otto, who is (eg) one of the thinkers I insisted on having help weigh down my already-too-heavy suitcases to Israel. Nuuuuuminous. I think it’s going to be a great class. Had a great Mincha davvening right after, always a good sign.
Yay for gettin’ my God on.
Now it’s time to talk about synagogue politics in Israel. Which, for rabbis-to-be, I suppose, inspires a different (and slightly less fun) kind of fear and trembling…..
Yo! It’s Ruth here (aka Yaldat Chayil). Thanks for that email back, by the way, and the links.
Theophany. Wow. I’m really into aesthetic aspects of Judaica (mostly biblical poetry and text-based music), but Judaism obviously isn’t so strong on the visual. I didn’t even think there were many visual mentions of God in the Tanach, beyond the cloud/fire in the desert, Sinai, or a theme of God’s-too-high-to-be-perceived.
Wonder if you’ll be looking at any Torah-inspired art?
Wish I was in a real theological class…. *sniff*
Hooray for Rudolph Otto! whom I first met in Prof. Reeder’s RS22.
Hooray for Prof. Reeder!
Not sure if we’ll be looking at art, tho–it’s more about dissecting the literary and theological bits of when they describe God as showing up in Torah…