Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning
Research in Jewish studies as well as key passages from Judaism’s sacred texts describe teaching and learning as being among the most important, efficacious and sacred of God’s commandments. However, while this description is well-documented, the specific dynamics of education’s role within a framew...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/1/43 |
| _version_ | 1797414085245009920 |
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| author | Isaac Calvert |
| author_facet | Isaac Calvert |
| author_sort | Isaac Calvert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research in Jewish studies as well as key passages from Judaism’s sacred texts describe teaching and learning as being among the most important, efficacious and sacred of God’s commandments. However, while this description is well-documented, the specific dynamics of education’s role within a framework of Judaic holiness remains underexplored. This article first lays a thorough foundation of Judaic sanctity, illustrating a theistic axiom at its core surrounded by several peripheral elements, including connection to God, knowledge of God, holiness as invitation, reciprocal holiness, awakening sacred potentiality and, as the purpose and apex of the entire system, <i>imitatio dei.</i> Having illustrated <i>imitatio dei</i> as a culminating purpose atop the entire system of Judaic holiness, I describe how teaching and learning as prescribed in sacred Jewish texts can be a potent means of achieving this end. Considering that teaching and learning are called <i>kaneged kulam,</i> or equal to all the other commandments of Judaism combined, I argue that education conducted in sacred ways prescribed by Jewish scripture can be considered among Judaism’s most sacred commandments, as well as a most efficacious means of realizing <i>imitatio dei</i> within a Jewish frame. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:28:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-13514f2d1fc64a4f9fcffd267e5233e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:28:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-13514f2d1fc64a4f9fcffd267e5233e42023-12-03T12:34:46ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442021-01-011214310.3390/rel12010043Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and LearningIsaac Calvert0McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USAResearch in Jewish studies as well as key passages from Judaism’s sacred texts describe teaching and learning as being among the most important, efficacious and sacred of God’s commandments. However, while this description is well-documented, the specific dynamics of education’s role within a framework of Judaic holiness remains underexplored. This article first lays a thorough foundation of Judaic sanctity, illustrating a theistic axiom at its core surrounded by several peripheral elements, including connection to God, knowledge of God, holiness as invitation, reciprocal holiness, awakening sacred potentiality and, as the purpose and apex of the entire system, <i>imitatio dei.</i> Having illustrated <i>imitatio dei</i> as a culminating purpose atop the entire system of Judaic holiness, I describe how teaching and learning as prescribed in sacred Jewish texts can be a potent means of achieving this end. Considering that teaching and learning are called <i>kaneged kulam,</i> or equal to all the other commandments of Judaism combined, I argue that education conducted in sacred ways prescribed by Jewish scripture can be considered among Judaism’s most sacred commandments, as well as a most efficacious means of realizing <i>imitatio dei</i> within a Jewish frame.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/1/43holinesssacred educationreligious educationJewish studiesJudaism<i>imitatio dei</i> |
| spellingShingle | Isaac Calvert Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning Religions holiness sacred education religious education Jewish studies Judaism <i>imitatio dei</i> |
| title | Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning |
| title_full | Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning |
| title_fullStr | Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning |
| title_short | Holiness and <i>Imitatio Dei</i>: A Jewish Perspective on the Sanctity of Teaching and Learning |
| title_sort | holiness and i imitatio dei i a jewish perspective on the sanctity of teaching and learning |
| topic | holiness sacred education religious education Jewish studies Judaism <i>imitatio dei</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/1/43 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT isaaccalvert holinessandiimitatiodeiiajewishperspectiveonthesanctityofteachingandlearning |