Women/Birth of Modern Hebrew Literature/Zionism

In class we discussed Abraham Mapu who wrote the first hebrew novel. Please read the following articles about Sarah Foner - http://jewishmag.com/45mag/froner/froner.htm, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/foner-sarah-feiga-meinkin, and http://www.fonerbooks.com/translat.htm and answer the following questions: 

(1) Who was Sarah Foner and why is she a significant figure? 
(2) What are her famous works? 
(3) What activities did she take part in? 
(4) What is Sarah Foner's connection to Zionism? 

Current Crisis in Israel/Particularism vs. Universalism

Read Daniel Gordis' article, When Balance Becomes Betrayal at http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/when-balance-becomes-betrayel/ and then read David Myers' response, Response to Gordis: a simplistic misreading of history at http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/response-to-gordis-a-simplistic-misreading-of-history/?fb_comment_id=fbc_553405994676668_6747597_554096031274331#f2b78a346c. 

Please post answers to the following questions: 

1) What is Daniel Gordis' main point and how does he use the current crisis in Israel to illustrate his argument? 
2) What is David Myers' critique of Gordis? 
3) Do you think Myers accurately depicts Gordis' argument? Why or why not? 
4) Do you agree more with Gordis or Myers? Why? 
5) Is there a way to synthesize the two positions? 

The Mitzvah of Living in Israel

In class we looked at different ways of understanding why the Rambam did not list living in Israel in his Sefer HaMitzvot. Which way of understanding the Rambam do you find most persuasive? Why? Which explanation do you find least persuasive? Why?

Mitzvot HaTeluyot Ba'Aretz

Consider the Mitzvot Hateluyot Ba'Aretz that we discussed in class.

1) Which one of them speaks to you the most? Why?
2) Imagine yourself in Israel carrying out the mitzvah. Write a few sentences, as if you are writing to a friend in Chutz La'Aretz, explaining what you are doing and describing your feelings upon performing the mitzvah.

Sanctity of the Land of Israel

After examining different statements by Chazal regarding the land of Israel, we noted that they saw Eretz Yisrael as a powerful agent of positive change. Reflect on this idea and consider how Israel has changed individual Jews, groups of Jews, and the Jewish people as a whole: 

• Do you know anyone who was changed/positively influenced by his/her connection to the land of Israel? If yes, how were they changed? 
• As you have become more connected to Israel over the years, do you notice any positive change within yourself? If yes, describe the change. 
• How has the Jewish people been changed/positively influenced by the land of Israel?   Give one example from ancient times and one from modern times. 

The Promise to Avraham

Reflect on today's discussion regarding God's promise to Avraham. Imagine that you are Sarah, wife of Avraham, and your husband has just related to you that your family will inherit the land of Israel. Writing in the voice of Sarah, answer the following questions:

• How does this promise make you feel? What emotions are you experiencing?
• How will your life be changed by it?
• How will your husband’s life be changed by it?
• What responsibilities come with this promise?

Zionism: Linking Old and New

In today's 3-2-1, a student astutely noted that it is very hard in today's world to hold on to one's roots. She expressed admiration for the State of Israel which has been able to hold on to the Jewish past in a modern society. Please consider this point and reflect on the following:  

1) In your view, what specifically does Israel hold onto that is difficult for it to do? Give two examples of ways in which Israel has held on to its roots and explain why it has been hard to do so. 
2) In a society in which "new and improved" is valued, and "old" is considered obsolete, how can we effectively explain to others why we/Israel continue to hold on to the "old." What argument would you make to someone in this regard?