LimmudFest New Orleans 2018

The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) has no word for politics, yet is suffused with political activity and intrigue. What makes politics in the Hebrew Bible distinctive—different from the politics of the ancient Greeks and Romans—is the role of the prophet, who acts as a moral force challenging the immoral practices of the powerful. In this session, we shall examine the biblical conception of the prophet and his political effect on kings, priests, and the nobility. We shall discuss the similarities and differences between the biblical prophet and the classical orator, both public speakers who use rhetoric to articulate their views. And we shall consider the contemporary relevance of the Hebrew prophet for today, when so many of our citizens distance themselves from politics because of political immorality. Among the prophets we shall discuss are Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Amos, and Jeremiah.