Judaism and the Person with Intellectual Disability

Joav Merrick, Yehuda Gabbay, Hefziba Lifshitz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The cornerstones of Judaism are the people (Am Israel), the land (Erez Israel) and the Written and Oral teachings (Torah Israel). Judaism is not only a religion, but a way of life. Not only for special events, like circumcision, bar mitzvah, weddings or funerals, but every minute of the life of a Jewish person. Judaism is not just an aspect of a Jew’s life, but the totality of it. Torah operates all the time, covers every aspect of life and is unchangeable, unamendable and absolute. Torah is so deep spiritually that a lifetime is not enough to understand it fully. Rambam, a great scholar, said: “For one who gladdens the heart of these unfortunate is similar to the Divine, “as it says, " To revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Jewish Law and scholars over time have stressed the need for education, acceptance and obligations towards persons with intellectual disability. This presentation will discuss the Jewish aspects of intellectual disability. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: <[email protected]> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com>.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpirituality and Intellectual Disability
Subtitle of host publicationInternational Perspectives on the Effect of Culture and Religion on Healing Body, Mind, and Soul
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages49-63
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781317788126
ISBN (Print)9780789016843
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 200] by The Hawworth Press, Inc. All lights reserved].

Keywords

  • Halacha
  • Intellectual disability
  • Israel
  • Jewish Law

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