Mishpatim 5781: And They Saw the God of Israel? Language, Allegory and Representation

Introduction

The essence of Judaism seems to be encapsulated by a broad reading of the first two of the Ten Commandments: There is one God, and God has no body. With that as a basis of faith, we may be unnerved by reading the verses from this week’s parashah, Mishpatim, when we come to Shemot 24:9-11 which describes a visual encounter with God. What does it mean to represent God in language, and how are linguistic representations different from visual ones? Turning to classical commentators, philosophy and abstract art, we will try to expand our notion of what it means to “see God.”

Sponsored by Zara 4.5, Jules Scarlett 2.5, and their parents Sacha Litman and Rochelle Behrens
in memory of their grandfather, Jack T. Litman, Z”L on his 11th Yahrzeit.
His only regret was to not have had the opportunity to meet his grandchildren.

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Credits
Rabbi Leon Morris – President of Pardes and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem
Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer
Arlene Harel – Faculty Coordinator

Leon Morris

Rabbi Leon Morris is President of Pardes and the first Pardes alumnus to lead the institution, having studied in both the Year (‘94-’95) and Summer (‘93, ‘94) Programs. Ordained by Hebrew Union College in 1997, Leon previously served as rabbi of Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor, founding director of the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center in Manhattan, and Vice President for Israel Programs at the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Leon has taught at Orthodox, Conservative and Reform institutions and has worked extensively with the Jewish community of India since serving there as a Jewish Service Corps volunteer in 1990. A regular contributor to the Jewish, Israeli and American press, he is also an editor of the Reform High Holy Day machzor Mishkan HaNefesh.