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= Welcome to JconnecT Contemporary Jewish Issues (CJI) II: Our Responsibility to the Modern World =

Welcome to the home page of Contemporary Jewish Issues, CJI II, the second year of JconnecT. This JconnecT session occurs from 11-11:45 CST, excluding Jewish and American holidays. CJI II explores some of the critical issues that affect Jews around the globe today. Here are some subjects we will explore together this year:
 * Is Democracy the Best Form of Government? **


 * Medical Ethics **


 * Military Ethics **


 * What Should a Millionaire Give to Charity? **


 * Seeking Peace **


 * 1. Can you identify the leaders in the photos (I will show some)? Which of them were elected democratically?**


 * 2. What is flawed about democratic voting? What is advantageous?**

ONLINE TANACH: [] OR []
 * 1)  **4. What Form of Government does the Torah actually prescribe?**
 * 2) ARIEL: Shemot 18:12-23 – Yitro's Objection to Moshe's leadership approach. See Rashi
 * 3) ZEEV: Devarim 11:14-16, 22-29 – Seventy Elders – Eldad and Meidad (Midrash re: 6 from each tribe)
 * 4) REBECA: Devarim 17:14-20 – Mishpat Hamelech
 * 5) GABE: Bamidbar 17:1-3, Korach
 * 6) YOEL: Bamidbar 27-32 Korach
 * 7) YISHAI: Devarim 17:14-20 – Mishpat Hamelech
 * 8) MACK AND JORDAN: Devarim 16:18-20

What other forms of government are there? Which is the fairest? Which is the most Jewishly based?


 * // Monarchy // || Government by a single ruler (king/queen, emperor)  ||
 * // Aristocracy // || Government by noblemen (hereditary)  ||
 * // Oligarchy // || Government by few persons  ||
 * // Theocracy // || "Government by God" (in reality this means government by religious leaders)  ||
 * // Dictatorship // || Government by people, that have seized power by force (often: military dictatorship)  ||

LESSON 2: IS DEMOCRACY THE BEST FORM OF GOVT: A CLOSER LOOK

Each correct question is worth 5 pts. Partner questions are worth 10 pts. Scorekeeper? Pro or Against? Devarim 17:14-15:  וִירִשְׁתָּהּ, וְיָשַׁבְתָּה בָּהּ; וְאָמַרְתָּ, מִקֶּרֶב **אַחֶיךָ **, תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ--לֹא תוּכַל לָתֵת עָלֶיךָ אִישׁ נָכְרִי, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-אָחִיךָ הוּא.
 * 1) What story in the Torah dealt specifically with Democracy? See Bamidbar 16
 * 2) Korach B. the Exodus story. C. Noach D. עגל הזהב
 * 3) What was the attitude of the Torah toward Korach's claim?
 * 1) Why?
 * 2) A. Because Korach’s goal was self-gain.
 * 3) B. Because the Torah does not advocate equality.
 * 4) C. Because Moshe and Aharon were selected by Hashem and represented His word.
 * 5) What form of government seemed to be preferable, according to the Torah? READ THE PESUKIM BELOW.
 * יד ** כִּי-תָבֹא אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר ה' אֱ-לֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ,
 * אָשִׂימָה עָלַי מֶלֶךְ ****כְּכָל-הַגּוֹיִם, אֲשֶׁר סְבִיבֹתָי. **
 * טו ****שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ, אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר ה' אֱ-לֹהֶיךָ בּוֹ: **
 * 1) A. Democracy. B. Theocracy.C. Monarchy
 * 2) These pesukim are called משפט המלך – why?

Group 1: ARIEL-REBECCA

<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> וה', אָמַר לָכֶם, לֹא תֹסִפוּן לָשׁוּב בַּדֶּרֶךְ הַזֶּה, עוֹד. Group 2: YOEL-YISHAI Group 3: YOSSI - GABE Group 4: ZEEV - ME  What was Yitro's argument against Moshe's form of leadership? <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">וַיַּרְא חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה, אֵת כָּל-אֲשֶׁר-הוּא עֹשֶׂה לָעָם; וַיֹּאמֶר, מָה-הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה לָעָם--מַדּוּעַ אַתָּה יוֹשֵׁב לְבַדֶּךָ, וְכָל-הָעָם נִצָּב עָלֶיךָ מִן-בֹּקֶר עַד-עָרֶב. And when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said: "What is this thing that you do to the people? Why do you sit yourself alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?" What is Yitro’s criticism? יושב כמלך וכלן עומדים והקשה הדבר ליתרו שהיה מזלזל בכבודן ל ישראל והוכיחו על כך. He sat like a king and all of the people stood. And it was difficult for Yitro that he was disparaging the honor of Israel (treating them with disrespect). What is Rashi’s? - Why is this significant? ** עבדי הם ולא עבדים לעבדים? **  A. Social Equality for all. B. Voting. C. No racism. D. Values and Authority come from G-d, not man E. Having a Constitution
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">טז **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> רַק, לֹא-יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ סוּסִים, וְלֹא-יָשִׁיב אֶת-הָעָם מִצְרַיְמָה, לְמַעַן הַרְבּוֹת סוּס;
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">יז **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> וְלֹא יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ נָשִׁים, וְלֹא יָסוּר לְבָבוֹ; וְכֶסֶף וְזָהָב, לֹא יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ מְאֹד.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">יח **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> וְהָיָה כְשִׁבְתּוֹ, עַל כִּסֵּא מַמְלַכְתּוֹ--וְכָתַב לוֹ אֶת-מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת, עַל-סֵפֶר, מִלִּפְנֵי, הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">יט **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> וְהָיְתָה עִמּוֹ, וְקָרָא בוֹ כָּל-יְמֵי חַיָּיו--לְמַעַן יִלְמַד, לְיִרְאָה אֶת-ה' אֱ-לֹהָיו, לִשְׁמֹר אֶת-כָּל-דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת וְאֶת-הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה, לַעֲשֹׂתָם.
 * <span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">כ **<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: David,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> לְבִלְתִּי רוּם-לְבָבוֹ מֵאֶחָיו, וּלְבִלְתִּי סוּר מִן-הַמִּצְוָה יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול--לְמַעַן יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים עַל-מַמְלַכְתּוֹ הוּא וּבָנָיו, בְּקֶרֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל.
 * 1) How are these limitations different from Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles? Chat with your partner and come up with two main differences.
 * 2) How was government dealt with in the Torah (before Neviim), before Mishpat Hamelech.
 * 3) ARIEL – SUMMARIZE YOUR PSUKIM FROM LAST WEEK
 * 1) What is the difference in attitude toward monarchy in Rashi's interpretation?
 * 2) A. POSITIVE FEEDBACK B. NEGATIVE FEEDBACK.
 * 3) Why?
 * 4) Because it is not good that there should be a big gap between the king and the people.
 * 5) People got tired of standing around all day on their feet.
 * 6) Moshe’s system was inefficient.
 * 7) To which system can we compare Yitro’s suggestions? (groups 1 and 2)
 * 8) To which system can we compare a theocracy (if there is one)? Discuss your ideas with your partner (via chat) and decide on a solution. (groups 3 and 4)
 * 9) What, therefore, are two main differences between Jewish forms of government and democracy? (choose two answers below)

= **LESSON 3! DEMOCRACY - THE GOODS, THE BADS, THE UGLIES, Sept 25, 2011** = **Israel: Combining democracy with Judaism** **1. MAD LIBS! Need a scorekeeper and a collator:** **2. Answer the questions on the 'discussion page.'** **3.** Judaism and Democracy: Read the following article and prepare a response to our discussion with the question with your name on it. []
 * 1)  GABE: When did the modern concept of democracy begin in Jewish history?
 * 2)  YOSSI: Who ‘controlled’ the government or the people before democratic principles?
 * 3) MACK AND JORDAN: Name a difficult concept facing modern, democratic Israeli society today.
 * 4)  YISHAI and YOEL: Can you think another example of a challenge facing a Jewish democracy? Suggest a solution to this problem!
 * 5)  ARIEL: How much should Jewish law affect Israeli democracy? Suggest a ratio. For example, 60:40 (Jewish law affects democracy 60%). Explain why you feel this way!
 * 6)  ZEEV: The article quotes ‘ Existing Jewish law could not handle the legal difficulties emanating from the rise of these new communities.’ Why do you think that existing law could not handle these legal difficulties? Which Biblical or Rabbinic laws are you familiar with that could be applied to a democracy, or that do not fit in to democracy?

4. : Does this article change your response? Yes or no, and why? [] []

4. 2) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">וְכֶסֶף וְזָהָב, לֹא יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ מְאֹד  3) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">לְבִלְתִּי רוּם-לְבָבוֹ מֵאֶחָיו || 1) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ, אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר ה' אֱ-לֹהֶיךָ בּוֹ . 2) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">, וְלֹא-יָשִׁיב אֶת-הָעָם מִצְרַיְמָה, לְמַעַן הַרְבּוֹת סוּס; וה', אָמַר לָכֶם, לֹא תֹסִפוּן לָשׁוּב בַּדֶּרֶךְ הַזֶּה, עוֹד 3) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">וְלֹא יָסוּר לְבָבוֹ 4) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">וְכָתַב לוֹ אֶת-מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת, עַל-סֵפֶר, מִלִּפְנֵי, הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם. וְהָיְתָה עִמּוֹ, וְקָרָא בוֹ כָּל-יְמֵי חַיָּיו--לְמַעַן יִלְמַד, לְיִרְאָה אֶת-ה' אֱ-לֹהָיו, לִשְׁמֹר אֶת-כָּל-דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת וְאֶת-הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה, לַעֲשֹׂתָם. 5) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">וּלְבִלְתִּי סוּר מִן-הַמִּצְוָה יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול || Devarim 17:14-15 **14** When you come into the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you, and you shall possess it, and shall dwell therein; and shall say: 'I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are round about me'; **15** you shall surely set a king over you, whom the  L-rd your G-d shall choose; one from among your brethren shall you set king over you; thou may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. **16** Only he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses; forasmuch as the L-rd said unto you: 'You shall henceforth return no more that way.' **17** Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, that his heart turn not away; nor shall he greatly multiply for himself silver and gold. **18** And it shall be, when he sits upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites. **19** And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the L-rd his G-d, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them; **20** that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel.
 * Source of Authority ||
 * 1) <span style="color: black; font-family: David,sans-serif;">רַק, לֹא-יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ סוּסִים,

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