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Registration: Talmud I: Kiddushin, Chapter 1 What responsibilities does Jewish law impose upon parents? How do a woman's halakhic obligations differ from a man's? When may a teacher forgo the honor due her? In studying the first chapter of Tractate Kiddushin, we will examine Jewish Law's impact on familial relationships; analyze the source of the gender divide within halakha; and consider the psychological and sociological assumptions that inform other cases of legal hierarchy. This course will familiarize students with rabbinic logic and halakhic terminology and will emphasize the acquisition of vocabulary and skills for studying Talmud. No prior experience with Talmud is necessary, but some knowledge of Hebrew is recommended. Rachel Furst Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Talmud II: Bava Kama, Chapter 8 The 8th chapter of Bava Kama addresses personal injury law, from the Rabbis' struggle with the biblical law of "an eye for an eye" to their analysis of how to assess a victim's lost productivity. We will analyze the Talmud text and medieval commentaries with emphasis on methodology, skillbuilding, and understanding the development of halakha. Students will have the opportunity to prepare sources with a havruta (learning partner) during a supervised study period for the each session. Students should have some prior experience studying Talmud with traditional commentaries. Daniel Reifman Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Biblical Hebrew Students will develop the basic vocabulary and grammar skills necessary to understand biblical texts in a supportive class environment. Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew print, script, and vowels. Yitzhak Berger Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The Childless Mother: Rachel in the Bible and Midrash Willful, mournful, jealous, generous – Rachel is a complicated and fully realized biblical personality. Through our study of Genesis, Samuel I and Jeremiah, we will analyze how Rachel's character develops and changes and why she becomes a central image in the world of midrash. David Silber Tuesday, 9:15 – 10:45 a.m. Parashat HaShavua We will analyze and discuss an issue, theme, or text in the weekly Torah reading. We will draw upon classical and modern sources to enhance our Torah study. Rachel Friedman Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Twice Told Tales: Deuteronomy's Relationship to the Rest of the Bible Deuteronomy opens with Moses' review of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Yet there are glaring discrepancies when one does even a cursory comparison of the events retold in Deuteronomy with their original presentation in the other books of the Bible. We will study the Book of Deuteronomy with a focus on understanding these apparent contradictions and what they can teach us about the nature of narrative and memory. David Silber Thursday, 9:15 – 10:45 a.m. Coping with Catastrophe: Tales from the Talmud Although the Talmud is primarily a legal work, the sages who composed it used stories to complement the rules they set down and to clarify the morals and values they wished to convey. This course will examine Talmudic stories addressing matters relating to suffering, destruction, and catastrophe, and will explore different ways the rabbis coped with these difficulties on both the personal and communal levels. Ayelet Libson Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Jewish Law I: Keeping it Holy: The Positive Commandments of Shabbat Why does one light candles for Shabbat? Are electric candles acceptable? What kinds of beverages or foods can be used for kiddush? May one use a frozen challah? We will study the positive commandments of Shabbat including candlelighting, kiddush, Sabbath meals, and havdalah and explore how these laws attempt to create a rarefied and holy atmosphere on Shabbat. Wendy Amsellem Monday, Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Friday, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Jewish Law II: The Laws of Shabbat: Intent of Action Through an in-depth study of Gemara, Rishonim, and Poskim, we will examine basic concepts in Hilkhot Shabbat related to the intent of action. These will include davar she'aino mitkavain (unintended action), psik raisha (inevitable consequences of actions), and melacha she'aina tzricha l'gufa (labor not for original purpose). Moshe Kahn Monday, Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Friday, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Bible I: The Exodus Experience: An Introduction to Bible and Parshanut (Exegesis) Through a close reading of selected texts in the Book of Exodus we will consider the role of slavery, women, and miracles in the development of the Israelite nation. We will emphasize the study of parshanut (biblical exegesis), analyzing the approaches of the midrash, edieval exegesis, and modern scholars to the Jewish experience in Egypt. Each session will consist of guided preparation of biblical texts and commentaries (havrut), followed by analysis and class discussion. Rachel Friedman Tuesday, Thursday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Bible II: Crimes and Misdemeanors We will analyze the biblical, rabbinic, and exegetic texts covering sins committed by the main protagonists in the Book of Genesis, including Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; the generations of the Flood and Tower of Babel; our patriarchs and matriarchs; as well as Joseph and his brothers, in an attempt to gauge the severity of their sins and assess the degree to which the divine punishments fit the crimes. Joshua Schreier Tuesday, Thursday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Rebel Rainmakers: Rabbis in a Time of Drought Tractate Ta'anit describes the precise rituals that a community should perform in the absence of rain. Yet it also contains many stories of Rabbis who specifically flout these rituals and nevertheless are successful rainmakers. We will study the third chapter of Babylonian Talmud Tractate Ta'anit which contains legal discussions, midrashic analysis and an extended set of stories about these Sages. We will discuss why these disparate literary forms are juxtaposed and how they combine to form an organic whole. We will compare parallel texts in the Jerusalem Talmud and elsewhere in Rabbinic Literature and utilize classical commentaries, ancient manuscripts and modern academic research. David Goshen Monday, Wednesday, 3:15 – 5:45 p.m. From the Bible to the Rabbis: An Introduction to Midrash How did the Rabbis read the Bible? What is midrash? What are its techniques? How is it expressed? What does it reflect about the minds of the rabbis and the nature of the rabbinic project? This survey course will explore these questions and familiarize students with the classical rabbinic midrashim and how to read them. This class will accommodate both beginner and advanced students. Jenny Labendz Tuesday, Thursday, 3:15 – 5:00 p.m. |
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