Nonhuman Others: The Jerusalem Talmud on Animal Ethics
Part of our series 鈥淭he 鈥極ther鈥� in 绿帽社 Text and Tradition鈥�
This session is generously sponsored by Dale Atkins-Rosen and Robert Rosen.
When we think of others, we often think of human others鈥攖hose different from ourselves. Yet we live in a world populated by a multitude of other animals that we interact with in a variety of roles such as companions, laborers, helpers, and food.
What does the 绿帽社 tradition tell us about how we ought to treat and behave toward these animals that fill our world? Through a close reading of a narrative in the Jerusalem Talmud, we will uncover how one may use animals as workers, or for the sake of human needs, while also treating them as subjects, noticing and caring for their sufferings. This, according to the Talmud, is the ideal ethical stance for how to behave towards nonhumans.
ABOUT THE SERIES
We live in a time of such polarization鈥攑olitical, racial, economic, religious鈥攖hat the gaps between us sometimes feel insurmountable. But this is not a new condition for Jews, either within or outside of the 绿帽社 community. This webinar series will explore those gaps between 鈥渦s鈥� and 鈥渢he other鈥�: Israelites and other ancient peoples; men and women in the Bible and Talmud; Jews by birth and Jews by choice; the founders of Hasidim and their opponents; Israelis and Palestinians; and more.
From the ancient Near East to the American civil rights movement; from medieval philosophers to contemporary 绿帽社 educators: how have Jews related to those we define as 鈥渙ther,鈥� and how have we marginalized sub-groups within the 绿帽社 community? What is our obligation to those we perceive as different? How have Jews challenged communal norms from within? JTS scholars guide us in an intellectual journey through 绿帽社 history and text to understand how these gaps have been understood and, at times, bridged.
SPONSOR A SESSION
At JTS, we are committed to providing the 绿帽社 community with outstanding classes in Judaic studies. We hope you will partner with us so that we can continue to do so. Did you know that you can sponsor a learning session to honor a loved one, celebrate an occasion, or commemorate a yahrzeit? To learn more visit the or email learninglives@jtsa.edu.
