Dr. Tzvee Zahavy, Professor
Spring, 1994, Course Syllabus
Rabbinic writings in their original contexts and as living texts for the present. Interpretations of the Bible by early rabbis that address moral, theological, and literary problems. Modern methods for the study of rabbinic literature. Jewish laws as a mirror of human culture.
Textbooks:
Jacob Neusner, The Mishnah: an introduction and reader = MIR
Supplementary:
Jacob Neusner, The Mishnah: an introduction = MAI
_____, The Midrash: an introduction = MID
_____, Invitation to Midrash = ITM
_____, Invitation to the Talmud = ITT
What is the Mishnah? MIR, 1-18; MAI, 1-39
The Religion and Society of Mishnah. MIR, 69-150; MAI, 40-120
Mishnah's view of women. Mishnah's anthropology. MIR, 151-220; MAI, 121-199
Mishnah's Philosophical Statements. MIR, 19-68
The Dual Torah and the Mishnah. MAI, 200-230
Mishnah and Scripture. ITM, 19-56
What is Midrash? ITM, 1-18; MID, 1-30
Tannaite Midrashim. MID, 31-140
Early Rabbah Midrashim. MID, 141-172
Later Rabbah Midrashim. MID, 173-220
Midrashic modes of interpretation: reading out. ITM, 57-98
Midrashic modes of interpretation: reading in. ITM, 99-187 (selections)
The stories of Midrash. ITM, 187-234
Discourse and propositions of Midrash. ITM, 235-262
Contemporary issues and Midrash. ITM, 263-280
Mishnah, Midrash, Talmud. ITT, all
Requirements:
Attendance, participation, readings, exegetical exercises
take home mid-term and final essay exams
Grade options: ABCDF; S/N, S=C or better; no incompletes.