Film Worksheet-The Chosen People (online version)(1)
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Apr 3, 2024
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Name: Hannah Ghoul
THE CHOSEN PEOPLE? A FILM ABOUT JEWISH IDENTITY
REL 101: Introduction to Religion—Film Worksheet
PART I: MOTIVATIONS IN THE MAKING OF THE FILM
1. Why does the Jewish filmmaker and so many of the Jewish intellectuals he interviews feel uncomfortable with the fundamental doctrine that the Jews are the
“Chosen People”?
- He said that he felt that this idea was “elitist” and doesn’t align with the laws of equality. PART II: THE BIBLICAL ORIGINS OF THE CONCEPT OF CHOSENNESS
2. What are the biblical origins of the Jewish concept of chosenness among the children of Abraham and the children of Sinai? - The children of Abraham and Sinai are all Jewish descendants of Abraham, making them a part of the covenant. 3. How was fortune and misfortune explained in the “Golden Age” of Israelite nationalism during the reigns of king David and Solomon?
- Fortune was explained in a way that stated that following God’s commandments would result in blessings in their current lives. Misfortune, on the other hand, was the result of not doing so. 4. What is the Christian claim of chosenness and what role does Judaism play in that narrative?
- Christians claim that they are the chosen people because they chose to accept the truth of Jesus, unlike the Jews. Judaism plays a role in this narrative because while Jews believe they are a part of the covenant, Christians believe they are part of
the new covenant. 5. What does the term “holy” mean and how does it relate to the idea of chosenness?
- The term “holy” means to be set apart. This relates to the idea of chosenness because this term can be looked at in many different aspects or areas of a Jew’s life. PART III: CHOSENNESS IN THE MIDDLE AGES 6. Why is assimilation regarded as a threat to Jewish identity?
- Assimilation is regarded as a threat to Jewish identity because it is so easy for Jews to fall into mainstream religions. For example, a Jew can become less accustomed to traditional practices and seem very different from the Orthodox Jews. 7. How did Jews fair in the Middle Ages under Christian rule?
- They held on to the idea that God had chosen them and hadn’t forsaken them. 8. Why did the idea of chosenness play such an important role in Jewish tradition?
- It gave them hope, so it was critical to their survival during these times. 9. What methods of demonization were used by Christians toward the Jews in the Middle Ages?
- They portrayed them as supernatural creatures, demons, the devil, or the anti-christ. PART IV: CHOSENNESS AFTER THE ENLIGHTENMENT
10. What was the dark side of the enlightenment?
- Europeans were conquering and colonizing foreign lands all around the globe. 11. How was the Reform movement a product of the enlightenment? How did they reinterpret the idea of chosenness?
- The reform movement was born from the concepts of Eurocentrism. They interpreted the idea of choseness in a way that Jews were created to be a “light unto the nations.”
12. Who was Mordecai Kaplan, what is the Jewish reconstructionist movement, and how does it challenge the concept of chosenness?
- Mordecai Kaplan was the father of the reconstructionist movement. The reconstructionist movement added more contemporary ideas into Judaism. The challenges the concept of chosenness, because Judaism is all about tradition. 13. What was the “science” behind colonization and slavery and how did it shape racist attitudes toward the Jews?
- Racial hierarchy was the science behind colonization and slavery. It was used by the Nazis to justify their actions towards Jewish people.
PART V: CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO JEWISH NARRATIVES OF CHOSENNESS
14. How has the rise of biblical criticism challenged the Jewish narrative of chosenness?
- The rise of biblical criticism challenged the Jewish narrative of chosenness by claiming the texts were more human rather than supernatural documents. 15. What is the Muslim narrative of chosenness?
- The Muslims believed that they supplanted both the Christians and the Jews as the chosen people. Chosenness in Islam
is based on righteousness. 16. How does claims of chosenness connect to territorial disputes over the “Promised Land”?
- Because different groups believe different ways, they dispute over the “Promised Land” and who will actually get to reside there. 17. Why are some contemporary Christians positive toward the view of Jewish chosenness?
- Some contemporary Christians are positive towards the view of Jewish chosenness out of a place of respect. 18. What are some of the diverse ways that the idea of Jewish chosenness is being reinterpreted in the contemporary world?
- It is being reinterpreted in the contemporary world by taking the time to understand the concept instead of discriminating from the start. 19-20. After the film: Choose one of the following reflection questions and write a short essay: •
What Jewish practices ritually reinforce the concept of chosenness?
•
Do you think the Jewish people would have survived until today if it wasn’t for the strong sense of chosenness that runs throughout the tradition? •
Do you think it is legitimate for any one group to claim chosenness?
⁃
I do not think it is legitimate for any one group to claim chosenness, because all groups believe along the lines of the same thing when it comes to what this means. For example, Jewish people believe that it means they are almost “servants” of God. In Christianity, people are called to be disciples for God. This is roundabout the same idea. •
Who are the real “Chosen People” and on what basis can one base such a claim?
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