Comparative Indigeneity: Hindus and Jews

Comparative studies allow us to explore what is both familiar and foreign, to deepen understanding of our own and others’ traditions through their similarities and differences. Juxtaposing Hindu and Jewish indigeneity reveals two civilizations whose beliefs and practices emerge from sacred geography, peoplehood, and sovereignty. Examining their parallels and distinctions illuminates questions of identity, belonging, and diaspora, showing how ancient beginnings remain central to current concerns about indigeneity. For instance, this framework refutes the settler colonial state libel that targets Jews. More broadly, this approach also challenges the Western category of “religion” by foregrounding two non-colonial root traditions with enduring relationships to their ancestral homelands.

Session 1: The Study of Religion

This class introduces the academic study of religion, focusing on Hinduism and Judaism to reframe analysis around indigenous, root traditions. Each tradition will be examined independently and comparatively, and also contrasted with non-indigenous world religions. Key concepts include ancestral homeland, sacred geography, peoplehood, diaspora, modern nation-states and land partition, and challenges to sovereignty such as antizionist libel.

Session 2: Hinduism

This class explores Hinduism, tracing its historical development from ancient Bharata to the modern nation-state of India, which gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. By foregrounding indigeneity,  the class reframes “religions” to deepen understanding of Hinduism. 

Session 3: Judaism

This class explores Judaism, tracing its historical development from ancient Israel to the modern nation-state of Israel, which gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948. By foregrounding indigeneity, the class reframes “religions” to deepen understanding of Judaism.

Session 4: Comparative Indigeneity

Having studied Hinduism and Judaism separately, we will examine them comparatively to reveal their similarities, differences, and the geopolitics of India and Israel. This approach highlights indigenous traditions, expands the category of “religion,” and refutes the antizionist settler colonial state libel that targets Israel.   

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