Spring 2010 Courses of Instruction

All courses are worth 3 graduate credits, except where noted.
Click here for a daily schedule of spring 2010 on-campus courses (pdf).

View graduate and undergraduate courses by discipline:

Bible
Cantorial
Education
Hebrew
History
Interdisciplinary
Jewish Thought
Music
Rabbinics
 

BIBLE

Genres and Themes of Biblical Literature
Rodman
Gateway; 4 credits
Online
BIBLE 502
Note: Requires Hebrew V or above.
Syllabus

Students will read extended selections in Hebrew from the major biblical genres, including narrative, law, prophecy, Psalms and wisdom literature. Particular attention is paid to a thorough understanding of the Hebrew text, and to the linguistic and literary characteristics of the different genres.

The Prophetic Voice: The Case of Ezekiel
Cohn
Monday; 7:00–9:00 p.m.
BIBLE 530
Syllabus

Among the literary prophets, Ezekiel is unique in a number of respects. First, Ezekiel's primary audience was a Jewish community outside the Land of Israel. The imagery is the most vivid and earthy of the prophets, and the book's literary structure is clearly discernible. As reported by the Talmud, there was a raging controversy as to whether this book belonged in the canon. These factors come together to make Ezekiel both accessible and meaningful to the modern reader. This course will actively engage the text, using both rabbinic and modern critical approaches. In analyzing the structure of the entire book as well as reading closely carefully chosen selections, students will search for the prophet's message in his own time, as well as his impact on Jewish history and thought.  
All assigned biblical texts will be in translation, with ample opportunity for those interested in working in the original Hebrew.

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CANTORIAL

Introduction to Nusah
Schwartz
Online
CANTR 512
Syllabus 
Note: Does not count for graduate credit for SJM master’s students.

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to lead daily services. Students learn musical modes for Ashkenazic prayer chant and analyze their structural elements. Students then learn the specific motivic content for leading daily services within the Ashkenazic tradition. Students also learn appropriate congregational melodies for the daily services.

Cantillation I
Jacobson
Thursday; 2:15-4:15 p.m.
CANTR 529
Syllabus
Prerequisites: HEBRW 206 Hebrew VI, an adequate sense of musical pitch and the ability to read and translate biblical Hebrew

Students analyze the punctuation system underlying the chanting of the Hebrew Bible. Students are instructed in the syntactic parsing and correct contemporary pronunciation of biblical Hebrew, and learn a traditional Ashkenazic mode for the public cantillation of the Pentateuch. While this course is primarily for cantorial and rabbinical students, others are welcome, provided they meet the pre-requisites.

Sabbath Nusah
Mayer
Wednesday and Friday; 11:15 a.m. –1:15 p.m.
4 credits
CANTR 551
Prerequisite: CANTR 550 Daily Nusah

In the first part of the term, students learn musical modes for Ashkenazic prayer chant and analyze their structural elements. Students then learn the specific motivic content for leading Sabbath services within the Ashkenazic tradition. In practicum sessions, emphasis is on modal and motivic improvisation within the established framework of Nusah Ashkenaz. Students also learn appropriate congregational melodies for the Sabbath services.

Yom Kippur Nusah
Mayer
Wednesday; 2:15–4:15 p.m.
CANTR 554  
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor

Students receive instruction on the modes and motifs of Yom Kippur and how to lead services using motivic improvisation within the established framework of received Ashkenazic tradition. Students learn appropriate congregational melodies and are also introduced to selected cantorial recitatives and coached on their authentic rendering.

Cantorial Coaching
Staff
1 credit
Times: TBA
CANTR 579
Note: May be repeated for credit. Enrollment is limited to students who have successfully auditioned for one of the SJM programs.

This course provides coaching by a practicing cantor who will guide the student according to his or her individual needs. Goals of coaching are to increase facility with prayer leading and to improve vocal and musical interpretations of selected repertoire.

Hazzan Pro Seminar
Osborne
Thursday; 2:15–4:15 p.m.
CANTR 800  
Syllabus
Purchase required coursepack
Note: Enrollment is limited to cantorial ordination students.

Students learn about the history of the cantorate, the theologies of the various denominations, as well as practical matters facing cantors in the profession today.  

Cantorial Internship I
Treitman
1 credit
Times: TBA
CANTR 921
Note: Enrollment is limited to cantorial ordination students

Students spend a semester on location in a synagogue, observing a practicing cantor. The on-site cantor meets with and coaches the student in the practical application of skills learned in the classroom  

Cantorial Internship II
Treitman
1 credit
Times: TBA
CANTR 922
Prerequisite: CANTR 921 Cantorial Internship

Students spend a semester on location in a synagogue, working with a practicing cantor, with opportunities for leading services and or various teaching situations. The on-site cantor meets with and coaches the student in the practical application of skills learned in the classroom. 

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EDUCATION

Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom
Miller-Jacobs
EDUC 555
Online
Syllabus
Note: Also offered via videoconference and online to participants at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

Students will learn to carry out a variety of behavior change strategies within educational settings. Emphasis will be placed on the development of supportive classroom structures that lead to positive interactions among students with and without special needs, and between students and teachers. Students will also consider the Jewish dimension of behavioral management, specifically how values such as dereh eretz can be reflected in general learning experiences.

Seminar in Day School Education
D. Lehmann
2 credits
EDUC 826
Offered at Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem
Note: Enrollment is limited to Pardes students

Students will study the unique learning contexts of Jewish day schools and the particular challenges and opportunities they present to teachers. The course will explore selected problems in teaching a curriculum that includes Jewish and general studies; integration of multiple disciplines; and intentions to foster Judaic, Hebraic and English literacy at high levels of understanding. This course is intended for student teachers in Jewish day schools as well as for classroom teachers who are at the early stages of their careers in Jewish day school training.


Including Students on the Autism Spectrum in Jewish Programming - CANCELLED
Hornstein
2 credits
Online
EDUC 563
February 1−March 26
Syllabus
Purchase required coursepack

This class focuses on specific techniques to enable students on the Autism Spectrum to be successful in formal and experiential educational settings.  Participants will explore ways to establish an appropriate learning environment that matches the students’ academic and social learning needs, examine specific instructional and behavioral strategies, and learn to assess and monitor students’ progress.


Teaching Hebrew to Young Children I: Circle Time
Davis
Feb 1−Mar 8
1 credit
Online
EI-EDUC 512

Circle Time can be the ideal opportunity to introduce Hebrew vocabulary, songs, games and more.  This course is designed as a hands-on experience for teachers to gain comfort and skill in integrating Hebrew in the daily preschool schedule, and as part of Circle Time, in particular.

Teaching Jewish Values to Young Children
Rossman
Monday; 7:00–9:00 p.m.
EI-EDUC 501
Syllabus

An introduction to the field of Early Childhood Education, with emphasis on the special characteristics of the Jewish preschool. Students will explore basic Jewish values, their source material and how to present these concepts to young children.

Jewish Symbols and Life Cycle
Rodenstein
Online
EI-EDUC 530

This course identifies key Jewish symbols and lifecycle markers that are the foundations of Judaism. Participants will study biblical and rabbinic sources for each of the specific content areas, as well as develop appropriate curricula for direct application in early childhood settings.

Theory and Practice of Jewish Education
Medwed
Online
EDUC 570
Syllabus

An exploration of fundamental issues and questions that emerge for Jewish educational practitioners, with a particular focus on how these basic questions stem from general educational theory and inform Jewish educational theory and practice across educational venues—and how current challenges to Jewish education are part of these debates.  Examining current research in Jewish education, students will articulate personal beliefs about the roles of education, Jewish education, educator and learners.

Lifespan Development and Case Studies in Jewish Education
Sokol
Online
EDUC 802
Syllabus

This course has two primary, though somewhat separable, goals: 1) to introduce education students to models of human development, and 2) to use this knowledge to analyze and create effective teaching paradigms for Jewish learners across the lifespan.  Students will work on both goals simultaneously through a combination of didactic and experiential learning that focuses on a variety of Jewish educational settings.

Pedagogy of B’nai Mitzvah
Treitman
Thursday; 11:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
EDUC 595
Syllabus
Purchase required coursepack
Prerequisites: A working understanding of cantillation; cantillation skills will not be taught in this course. Ability to read music helpful but not required.

 This course is designed to enable educators working with pre-bar- and bat-mitzvah-age students to develop a curriculum to prepare them for this important lifecycle event and to develop a ceremony that reflects the individual child. Topics will include lesson planning, dealing with different learning styles, group teaching, homiletics and problem solving. The course will examine the process of this lifecycle event from a variety of viewpoints, including religious, psychological, social and historical. Participants in the course will be expected to develop a portfolio that includes lesson plans and strategies for their students. Students who are currently tutoring are encouraged to develop materials for their pupils.

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HEBREW

Mekhina (Preparation) for Hebrew Language
Levy
non-credit
Offered only online
HEBREW 010
Prerequisite: No prior knowledge of Hebrew is required

This course is designed to serve as an introduction to Hebrew language study and to ensure that students with some prior Hebrew study experience begin Hebrew I at comparable levels. The Mekhina introduces the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, as well as verbs and syntax sufficient for conducting simple daily conversation. Registration takes place on a rolling basis.  Students progress at their own pace, submit oral and written homework, and take online quizzes. Weekly real-time class discussions are conducted by the instructor with small groups of students at comparable levels. The Mekhina is based on the seven introductory units of Ivrit Min Hahatchala (Hebrew From Scratch), the textbook used by Hebrew College's campus-based and online Hebrew Language programs.  

Hebrew I
Levy
Offered only online
4 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 110
Prerequisite: HEBRW 010 Mekhina for Hebrew Language or placement test.

This course enables students to recognize and use fundamental structures of Hebrew grammar and morphology, and to acquire the necessary vocabulary for basic conversation and reading of modern and classical texts. All language skills are mastered through elementary syntactic and grammatical structures. Students will learn the basic verbs in the different common active verb groups and their conjugation in the present and past tense. Students will read and listen to stories and dialogues, and participate in guided class discussions. Based on topics introduced in the lessons, students will write their own dialogues and passages. All language skills are mastered through more advanced syntactic and grammatical structures.

Hebrew IA
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 111A
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 010 Mekhina for Hebrew Language or placement test.

Covers the first half of Hebrew I, Lessons 1–7 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 1.

Hebrew IB
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 111B
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 010 Mekhina for Hebrew Language, HEBRW 111A Hebrew IA or placement test.

Covers the second half of Hebrew I, Lessons 8–14 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 1.

Hebrew II
Levy
Offered only online
4 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 210
Prerequisite: HEBRW 110 Hebrew I or placement test.

A continuation of Hebrew I, this course enables students to recognize and use additional structures of Hebrew grammar, morphology and vocabulary to read modern and classical texts, and to engage in conversation. Students will read and listen to stories and dialogues, and participate in guided class discussions. Based on topics introduced in the lessons, students will write their own dialogues and passages. All language skills are mastered through more advanced syntactic and grammatical structures. Students will learn the past tense of verb groups introduced in Hebrew I.

Hebrew IIA
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 211A
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 110 Hebrew I or placement test.

Covers the first half of Hebrew II, Lessons 15–21 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 1.

Hebrew IIB
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 211B
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 211A Hebrew IIA or placement test.

Covers the second half of Hebrew II, Lessons 22–28 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 1.

Hebrew III
Levy
Offered only online
4 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 310
Prerequisite: HEBRW 210 Hebrew II or placement test.

Students will learn to recognize and use new and more complex structures of Hebrew grammar and morphology, such as combined sentences, and will acquire vocabulary for advanced reading of modern and classical texts, and for conversation. Lessons include readings of longer passages, dialogues and stories. Students will be given the opportunity to practice the new syntactic and grammatical structures. Based on topics introduced in the lessons, students will write short expository passages and deepen their mastery of spoken Hebrew through participation in open conversation.

Hebrew IIIA
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 311A
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 210 Hebrew II or placement test.

Covers the first half of Hebrew III, Lessons 1–4 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 2.

Hebrew IIIB
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 311B
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 311A Hebrew IIIA or placement test.

Covers the second half of Hebrew III, Lessons 5–8 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 2.

Hebrew IV
Levy
Offered only online
4 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 410
Prerequisite: HEBRW 310 Hebrew III or placement test.

This course is designed for intermediate students who have successfully mastered Hebrew reading, writing and speaking skills. Students will practice writing directed and complex sentences, as well as free composition. In weekly oral assignments and class discussions, only Hebrew is spoken. Through extensive readings, students will expand their vocabulary and increase their familiarity with grammatical patterns. Students will learn the future tense of basic verbs in the strong verb groups, as well as frequently used weak verbs.

Hebrew IVA
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 411A
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 310 Hebrew III or placement test.

Covers the first half of Hebrew IV, Lessons 9–12 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 2.

Hebrew IVB
Levy
Offered only online
2 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 411B
Pre-requisite: HEBRW 411A Hebrew IVA or placement test.

Covers the second half of Hebrew IV, Lessons 13–16 of Ivrit Min Hahatchala, Vol. 2.

Hebrew VI
Bock, Winkelman
Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 9:00–11:00 a.m.
HEBRW 206
Note: This course runs on the Rabbinical School calendar.
Syllabus

Building on Hebrew III and IV, the two-semester sequence of Hebrew V and VI focuses on skill acquisition and development through the extensive use of classical and modern texts. Students in Hebrew VI will spend two class sessions a week developing their skills comprehending biblical and rabbinic texts. The third class session each week will be devoted to advancing students’ modern Hebrew skills, with an emphasis on reading comprehension, speaking and writing.

Hebrew VIII
Bock
Monday and Thursday; 2:15–4:15 p.m.
HEBRW 208
Note: This course is intended for first-year Rabbinical School students.
Syllabus

Click here for course description.

Understanding Hebrew Texts: Fundamentals II
Davis
Wednesday; 6:30–9:15 p.m.
4 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 220
Prerequisite: HEBRW 120 Understanding Hebrew Texts: Fundamentals I
or placement evaluation; please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This course, the second semester of the Understanding Hebrew Texts sequence, will enable students to acquire additional vocabulary and expand their knowledge of Hebrew grammar, with readings of increasing complexity. Selections from classical texts will also be introduced to familiarize students with both the shared and distinctive features of Hebrew in its different periods. The pace of the course will be brisk, and a significant investment of time in home study will be expected.

Understanding Hebrew Texts: Fundamentals III
Davis
Thursday; 9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
4 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 320
Prerequisite: HEBRW 220 Understanding Hebrew Texts: Fundamentals II
or placement evaluation; please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This course is the third semester of the Understanding Hebrew Texts sequence. Continuing the Shlabim curriculum from Understanding Hebrew Texts II, students will also read selections from classical texts. Students will apply and extend their knowledge of Hebrew grammar to these texts and build their vocabulary, with the goal of enhancing their ability to independently read and understand Jewish texts in Hebrew.  Wherever possible, connections will be made to familiar Hebrew passages from other contexts. The pace of the course will be brisk, and a significant investment of time outside the classroom will be expected.

Understanding Hebrew Texts: Fundamentals IV - CANCELED
Davis
Tuesday; 9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
4 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 420
Prerequisite: HEBRW 320 Understanding Hebrew Texts: Fundamentals III
or placement evaluation; please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This course will focus on the reading of Hebrew texts from a selection of sources including the Bible, Mishnah, Midrash, Hasidic tales and modern Hebrew short stories. The anthology of readings will be drawn from the Book of Genesis, Ethics of the Fathers, works of Maimonides, Martin Buber’s Tales of the Hasidim and the writings of the modern Hebrew renaissance. Grammatical concepts will be fully integrated into this literature-oriented course.

Sources: Reading in Hebrew
Davis
Wednesday; 11:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
3 undergraduate credits
HEBRW 520
Prerequisite: HEBRW 120–420 Understanding Hebrew Texts: Fundamentals I–IV or equivalent; please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This course will focus on the reading of Hebrew texts from a selection of sources including the Bible, Mishnah, Midrash, Hasidic tales and modern Hebrew short stories. The anthology of readings will be drawn from the Book of Genesis, Ethics of the Fathers, works of Maimonides, Martin Buber’s Tales of the Hasidim and the writings of the modern Hebrew renaissance. Grammatical concepts will be fully integrated into this literature-oriented course.

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HISTORY

The First Centuries: The Beginnings of Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity
Bernat
Monday; 11:15 a.m.–1:15 pm
HIST 506
Syllabus

The second century CE was the great age of self-definition for both Jews and Christians. On the Jewish side, the second century witnessed the emergence of the rabbis and of rabbinic Judaism; the Mishnah, the first rabbinic book, was composed in the Land of Israel in the second century, thus setting the agenda for the Talmud and all rabbinic literature to follow. On the Christian side, the second century witnessed the separation of Christians from Jews and the emergence of Christian institutions and society. In this course, students will look at texts that derive from the Jewish-Christian debates of this period, that shed light on the process of Jewish and Christian self-definition.

Jewish History and Memory: Rabbinic and Medieval Periods
Adelman
Online
HIST 536
Syllabus

This course represents the second in a three-course sequence designed to orient the student to ebb and flow, major transitions and defining moments in Jewish history. Post-biblical Judaism, which begins with questions of interpretation and survival, develops strategies to preserve the past and to creatively respond to the present. Rabbinic literature and the institutions fostered by rabbinic Judaism developed and thrived during the Middle Ages. Concentrating on major historical events and developments from the rabbinic period until the end of the Middle Ages in the 17th century, students will consider how the themes of Jewish identity, belonging, spirituality and memory have undergone profound changes. Students will explore how the past has been recalled, studied and understood by scholars, Jewish religious leaders, Jewish communities and individuals throughout history. To appreciate the dynamics of historical narrative, readings draw upon primary historical documents.

History of the Second Commonwealth and Rabbinic Periods
Klawans
HIST 151
Monday; 2:15 p.m.–4:15 pm
Syllabus
Note: This course runs on the Rabbinical School calendar.

Click here for course description.

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INTERDISCIPLINARY

Jewish Life and Practice: The Lifecycle
A. Lehmann
Monday; 2:15–4:15 p.m.
INTD 015
Note: This course runs on the Rabbinical School calendar.

Students will be introduced to the patterns and essential terminology of the cycle of Jewish religious life and other basic Jewish practices.

Graduate Research Seminar
Mesch
Wednesday; 2:15–4:15 p.m.
INTD 601
Guidelines for Seminar and Final MAJS Paper
Note: Required of all MAJS students, this course is normally taken during the spring semester prior to graduation.

Students will complete work on their master’s papers and discuss research methods and approaches to the field. At the end of the course, students will present the results of their research to the Hebrew College community in a public forum.

Metaphors and Meanings in Context: The Song of Songs in Jewish and Christian Interpretation
Mobley and HC faculty – Green, Rose and Steinberg
Wednesday; 4:30–6:30 p.m.
INTD 523

A close examination of the Song of Songs from the perspectives of contemporary biblical scholarship, rabbinic Midrash and Christian commentary. This course will examine how the “plain sense” of an erotic text is transposed into a metaphor describing God’s relation to believing communities. Modern scholarship places the Song fully in the tradition of erotic, cultic or lyric poetry, while feminist theology considers the Song perhaps the most significant text on gender in the Bible. Rabbinic Midrash sees the Song as an elaborate allegory for the love between God and the Jewish people, while the Church fathers read it as an allegory for the love between God and the Christian Church. Both of these readings involve impressive creativity and ingenuity, as well as polemics against the other community of readers. Artistic dimensions of the Song (ancient iconography, poetry, music) will also be considered. The course will meet on the ANTS campus in Davis 201.

Pluralism in Jewish Thought and Contemporary Life
D. Lehmann
Friday; 11:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
INTD 553
Syllabus

Click here for course description.

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JEWISH THOUGHT

Core Issues in Jewish Philosophy: Traditional Approaches and Modern Responses
Mesch
Online
JTHT 526

This entry level course in Jewish philosophy will examine medieval Jewish thought with attention paid to Saadya, Halevi and Maimonides. Students will then engage some modern critiques and reformulations, including Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Rosenzweig and Buber. Among the themes to be considered are the nature of God and God’s relationship to the Jewish people, mitzvot, the problem of evil, and universalism and particularism.

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MUSIC

Voice Lessons
1 credit
Staff
TBA
MUSIC 200
Note: May be repeated for credit

Private lessons in singing. Emphasis is on understanding the working of the vocal mechanism, maximizing the potential of the individual singer, learning to be an effective vocal teacher, and preparing the student to be an inspiring performer.

Vocal Performance
1 credit
Torgove
Friday; 11:15–1:15 p.m.
MUSIC 201
Note: May be repeated for credit

This vocal performance class concentrates on building basic vocal skills—breath, resonance, posture and mechanics—and integrates those skills into students' repertoires. Students will bring their own vocal selections from their private library and cantorial class work; these will provide the vehicle for their vocal work with the instructor.

Musicianship Skills II
An
Tuesday and Thursday; 8:00–9:00 a.m.
MUSIC 302
Prerequisite: MUSIC 301 Musicianship Skills I
Syllabus

Continuing on the skills learned in Musicianship Skills I, this course prepares students to sing at sight an intermediate vocal line; to sing all intervals; to recognize aurally all intervals, triads, scales and modes; to locate and play any pitch or triad on a keyboard, and to analyze the harmonies and phrase structure of intermediate compositions. Students are introduced to modes, extended chords and chord inversions.

Topics in Jewish Music Education
Klepper
Thursday; 9:00–11:00 a.m.
MUSIC 502
Syllabus
Note: The ability to read music and a facility on either guitar or keyboard is highly recommended.

This course offers a hands-on approach to the teaching of Jewish music in educational settings. Three specific areas will be covered: 1) tapping music's power to create community and reinforce Jewish identity; 2) teaching liturgical melodies and leading services; and 3) using music within the school curriculum to teach Jewish knowledge and values. A basic repertoire of songs in these areas (from pre-school through high school) will be shared, and students will practice song teaching and leading skills at each class session.  Students should be able to read and understand basic Hebrew prayers, to sing comfortably and on-pitch.

Choir
Marton
1 credit
Wednesday; 9:00–11:00 a.m.
MUSIC 546
Pre and co-requisites: MUSIC302 Musicianship Skills II or equivalent.
Note: May be repeated for credit
Syllabus

Students will learn the fundamentals of artistic choral singing and choral conducting. Through weekly rehearsals and occasional performances, they will be exposed to significant Jewish repertoire, both sacred and secular. This choir will also serve as a laboratory for students, who will be given opportunities to conduct and compose (or arrange) for the ensemble.

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RABBINICS

Readings in Aggadic Literature
Polen
Gateway; 4 credits
Tuesday and Thursday; 2:15–4:15 p.m.
RAB 550
Note: Requires Hebrew V or above. Some previous exposure to rabbinic literature is desirable. This course runs on the Rabbinical School calendar.

Students will read selections from the classic homiletical midrashim in Hebrew and will develop their skills in understanding the questions that stimulated the authors’ attention and the authors’ approaches to answering them. The use of these midrashim by medieval Jewish Bible commentators is also examined.

Introduction to Rabbinic Texts II
Leader and Rhodes
Gateway; 4 credits
Tuesday and Thursday; 9:00–11:00 a.m.
RAB 011
Note: Requires Hebrew V or above. This course runs on the Rabbinical School calendar.

Click here for course description.

Pirkei Avot: Ethics of the Fathers - CANCELED
Schimmel
Online
RAB 515

Pirkei Avot is probably the most widely studied tractate of the Mishnah, compiled around 200 CE. This course will provide an intensive textual analysis of Pirkei Avot and will enable students to comprehend the major concepts and ethical exhortations that reflect the essence of rabbinic thought and the foundation for Jewish ethics. Students will be exposed to major commentaries with selections from the Minor Tractates and to the art of rabbinic interpretation.

Hilkhot Tefilla for Shelikhei Tzibbur
Tuesday, 9:00-11:00am
A. Lehmann
RAB 518  
Prerequisite: HEBRW 410 Hebrew IV

This course explores central concepts and institutions of prayer as they are reflected in classical rabbinic literature and as they are developed in the post-talmudic tradition of legal codification.  From the question of what constitutes a blessing to the question of who is a fitting prayer-leader, from biblical verses to contemporary responsa, our present-day forms of liturgy and communal customs around worship arise out of a long, complex and sometimes even tumultuous search for right ways in prayer. Through a series of cases-in-point, this course considers influential sources and traditions that have figured along the way.


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