ERIC Number: EJ829296
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Aug
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1524-4113
EISSN: N/A
The Makings of a Master Story: Maimonides' Idolatry Narrative as an Educational Paradigm
Cohen, Jonathan
Journal of Jewish Education, v72 n2 p123-144 Aug 2006
The point of departure for this article is James Fowler's conception of the "master story." In "master stories," culture-heroes are portrayed as engaging in certain archetypal activities. These activities are then considered paradigmatic and life-orienting by future generations who adhere to that culture. In keeping with this line of thinking, we offer the rare narrative presented by Maimonides in the opening chapters of his "Laws Concerning Idolatry" as a potential "master story" for Jewish educators. The main section of the essay consists of a close literary analysis of selected passages from the "Laws Concerning Idolatry." The article concludes by enumerating a series of educational implications that can be gleaned from the narrative, and by indicating some of the problems that might result from an attempt to put some of these implications into practice. (Contains 9 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Jews, Judaism, Educational Theories, Educational Philosophy, Religion, Philosophy, Story Telling, Religious Factors, Social Influences, World History, Religious Education, Social Change, Role of Education, Consciousness Raising, Cultural Influences
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

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