The biblical “election of Israel” – the setting apart of the Jews by God, as recipients of divine protection, and bearers of special holiness – has been the focus of fascination and repeated reappraisal by both Jews and non-Jews throughout the modern era. This theological concept lies at the heart of a broader question: what is the particular purpose of Jews in the world? In this lecture Professor Adam Sutcliffe of Kings College London will trace the history of the “Jewish purpose question” from its biblical and medieval roots, through key early modern thinkers such as Spinoza and Moses Mendelssohn, and up to the 21st century.

Kosher dessert reception to follow. Open to the public.

Sponsored by Muhlenberg College Jewish Studies, the Berman Center for Jewish Studies at Lehigh University, the Finkel Fund Lecture Series in Jewish Studies and the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding.