Reading Response #4

I think the most interesting thing about this reading is the explanation of the emergence of modern Judaism. I always knew that there was a dramatic shift from the "Judaism" in the Old Testament era, and the modern day practice of the Jewish faith. It is interesting to see the changes take place as the Tannaim begin to codify the law and change the understanding of the people's interaction with Yahweh. The emergence of the idea that wherever two or more Jews came together to study the Torah, Yahweh's presences (the Shekhina) would be there also, as opposed to the previous focus on Yahweh's presence solely residing in the Temple, shows an interesting transition for people of the Jewish faith, and provides the basis for the modern system of beliefs. At the time of this transition, the Temple was desecrated, and the Jewish people were essentially "cut off" from Yahweh, the emergence of this idea gave the Jewish people hope and security that they were not alone and separated from their god. This idea also largely gave birth to the modern concept of experiencing a god's presence in most of the modern-day religions.