Great Is Peace:
Uncovering the Theme of Peace in Biblical and Rabbinic Literature
This page contains the details for the IAP Activity, "Great Is Peace" -- Uncovering the Theme of Peace in Biblical and Rabbinic Literature.
The first session of this activity will be focussed on Bible stories dealing with peace and conflict. The first link below contains material for the first session.
The second session of the activity will examine selections from rabbinic literature (in English translation) and Jewish liturgy on the greatness of peace. These texts are to be found in the second link below.
The final session will look at what the Bible and the rabbis have to say about the conduct of war. This session is still in preparation.
Ancient texts may speak to us powerfully in wartime. In this activity we will look at texts from
Genesis and Psalms, from the Siddur, the synagogue prayerbook, from Mishnah, the earliest
compilation of law, lore and commentary by the rabbis on the Bible (ca. 200 C.E.), and from
Gemara, further rabbinic commentary on the Mishnah (ca. 500 C.E.), to discover what scriptural
authors and the rabbis thought about peace, violence, and our responsibility to the earth and to
other people. Everyone is welcome to attend any or all sessions.
Related Pages
For material relating to the first session, click here.
For material relating to the second session, click here.
Email: royt@mailcity.com
