Rabbinic Judaism: Talmud and Midrash
CSU Chico / Spring 2008
RS/MJIS 305 GLNN 210 / Thursdays 4:00-6:50 PM
Instructor: Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan
Office: Trinity 240 x5108 (342-6146)
Office hour: Thursday 3:00-3:50 PM
jdanan@csuchico.edu / rabbi@cbichico.org
Class Description: The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the thought, texts, and culture of Rabbinic Judaism in the first through sixth centuries. The same world that produced early Christianity forged Rabbinic Judaism. The Rabbis who shaped classic Judaism in this period responded to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the end of Jewish sovereignty in Judea, arguably the worst crisis to affect world Jewry until the European Holocaust of the twentieth century. These Rabbis transformed Judaism from a religion of centralized temple, sacrifice and priestly cult, to a religion of decentralized synagogues, prayer, rabbis, and the worship of God through study and everyday deeds. Words were at the center of Rabbinic culture, and their oral-literary tradition produced some of the greatest works of religious thought and rhetorical dialectic in two main genres: that of Talmud and that of Midrash.
Students will become familiar with the historical and cultural background of classical Rabbinic society, from its origins in the Pharisaic movement in Palestine (Eretz Israel) to its pinnacle in the academies of Sassanid Babylonia. (They will also review the Israelite and Judean culture which preceded it and formed its foundation.) They will learn about the development and characteristics of the major works of Rabbinic thought, and will study selections from these works in English translation. (Some selections in Hebrew and Aramaic will be available for students with backgrounds in Hebrew language). Students will also experience the dialectical style of study associated with Rabbinic culture. Jewish cultural events will be offered for extra credit and enrichment.
Texts:
Required:
The Origins of Judaism from Canaan to the Rise of Islam, by Robert Goldenberg
(Cambridge University Press, 2007)
As A Driven Leaf, by Milton Steinberg (Behrman House Pub., 1996)
A Beginner's Guide to the Steinsaltz Talmud, by Judith Z. Abrams
(Aronson/Rowman & Littlefield, 1999)
Pirke Avot: A Modern Commentary on Jewish Ethics, by Leonard Kravitz and Kerry M. Olitzky (UAHC Press, 1993)
Copy Packs as assigned by Instructor. Purchase at Mr. Copy.
Optional:
Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures--The New JPS Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text OR You may use any edition of the Tanakh or Old Testament. You are welcome to bring the Hebrew as well, if you can read it.
Internet Resources (for enrichment and research purposes):
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/index.htm-A variety of classical Jewish texts in English translation (mostly older translations).
http://spertus.edu/ For a small subscription fee, you can become a member and have access to such on-line resources as the Soncino Talmud (English translation of the Talmud), the Soncino Midrash Rabbah (English translation of Aggadic Midrash), and newest version of the Encyclopedia Judaica, as well as classic Hebrew Texts.
http://www.jewishbookmall.com/talmud.html This bookstore shows the different translations of the Talmud into English.
Caveat: Googler Beware! The Internet is full of Anti-Semitic websites about the Talmud and other Jewish texts. For a response to some of these, see: http://talmud.faithweb.com/
www.myjewishlearning.com Highly recommended for additional information on any topic explored in this course, as well as general information about modern Judaism.
Class Format:
Our class will combine lecture, discussion, and traditional rabbinic methods of study.
Outline of a typical class day
I Discussion of the reading for day / Short lectures on related topics
II “Beit Midrash”-style primary text study with a hevrutah (study- partner)
III Discussion of primary text material
We will also take time to view the first three episodes of Abba Eban’s, “Heritage, Civilization and the Jews,” and possibly other videos.
What to bring to class weekly: Bring your Bible and the texts noted for each lesson to class weekly. Bring a one-page response paper to the first assignment listed.
Outline of study:
Part I: Historical Background and study of Pirke Avot
January
31 General Introduction. Go over Syllabus and texts
Overview of Ancient Israel (photos of Israel), Abba Eban 1-A People is Born
February
7 Goldenberg, Ch. 1-2, Prehistory of Judaism, Beginnings of Monotheism
Abba Eban 2-The Power of the Word. Pirke Avot, Ch. 1
14 Goldenberg, Ch. 3-4, Book and People, Crisis and New Beginning
Abba Eban 3 -The Shaping of Traditions. Pirke Avot, Ch. 2
21 Goldenberg, Ch. 5-6, First Kingdom, Diaspora and Homeland
Pirke Avot, Ch. 3
28 Goldenberg, Ch. 7-8 Century of Disasters, Rebirth of Judaism, Pirke Avot, Ch 4
March
6 Goldenberg, Ch. 9-10 Rabbis and Their Torah, End of Ancient History
Pirke Avot, Ch. 5-6, A look at Purim
13 MIDTERM-Information on Copy Packs for March 27
20 NO CLASS-Spring Break and Happy Purim!
Part II-“As a Driven Leaf,” Midrash and Talmud
Note-not all page numbers are marked in the Abrams book; some are reproduced out of another book, The Steinsaltz Talmud. Refer to the larger page numbers and count back.
27 Special Class on Midrash, including the Haggadah of Passover
Bring Copy Pack weekly. Video, “The Talmud and The Scholar,”
about Rabbi Steinsaltz. Topics for final paper provided. No response paper today.
April
3 Steinberg, Part 1, Introduction & Ch 1-6 (Brit Milah, Education, Sanhedrin)
Bring Copy Pack with background texts weekly. Abrams, pp. 1-20
10 Steinberg, Part 1, Ch 7-13 (Marriage, Bruriah, Role of Women)
Abrams, pp. 21-37
17 Steinberg, Part 1, Ch 14-20 (“Four Who Entered Pardes”)
Abrams pp. 40-63.
24 Steinberg, Part 1, Ch 21-27 (Early Christians, Theodicy)
Abrams, pp. 84-105
May
1 Steinberg, Part 2, Ch 1-6 (Slavery)
Abrams, pp. 106-123
8 Steinberg, Part 2, Ch 7-12 (Good and Bad Aspects of Roman Empire)
Abrams, pp. 124-140 (and catch-up)
15 Steinberg, Part 2, Ch 13-end (Great Rebellion, Martyrdom)
Abrams, 141-158 (story by Rabbi Steinslatz), Review
22 Final Exam 6:00-7:50 PM
Research papers due. Extra credit journal entries due.
Grading:
Participation: 25 points
Participation includes attendance, obtaining textbooks at beginning of semester, coming prepared, and participating actively in discussions. “99 % of success is showing up.” (Woody Allen). Since this class is held only on Thursday afternoons, missing just one week is equivalent to missing an entire week. Any student who misses more than one class will face a deduction of up to five points off the final grade for each class missed.
Weekly Response Papers: Students must read the assignments for each week and come to class with a page or more (i.e. double spaced, typed) written response to the chapters assigned in Goldenberg (first half of semester) and Steinberg (second half of semester). These papers will be turned in to the instructor. Be prepared to be called on and to initiate discussion or respond to others.
Midterm Exam: 25%
The Midterm will consist of multiple choice questions on the subject of topics covered in class and reading, a few longer “significance” questions, and a short essay on the Pirke Avot.
Final Exam: 25%
The Final Exam will consist of multiple choice questions on the subject of topics covered in class and reading, a few longer “significance” questions, and a short essay on the Talmudic material studied in class.
Research Paper: 25%
Each student will write a research paper of about 1,000 words on a topic in Rabbinic Judaism not covered in class. Topics will be given out on March 27, but if you have an idea for a topic before then, feel free to discuss with instructor. It will be due at the time of the final exam. Topics must be pre-approved by instructor.
Extra Credit
Maximum of 15 points: Up to 5 points apiece for up to 3 cultural or religious events related to course content.
Experience Rabbinic Judaism in its modern forms by attending a Shabbat service, Purim celebration or a Passover Seder at Congregation Beth Israel, 1336 Hemlock Street (at 14th Street). The course instructor is Rabbi of the congregation. Friday night services are at 7:30 PM, except for the first Friday at 5:45 PM (family service, followed by a vegetarian potluck), and usually last 1 hour. Saturday morning services are at 10:00 AM and include a Torah reading about 11:00 AM, followed by lunch at noon. Purim is March 20th (during spring break) and the Passover Seder at the congregation will be on Sunday, April 20th (second night of Passover). The only event with a fee is the Seder, which includes a full dinner. (Synagogue Info.: www.cbichico.org 342-6146)
With instructor’s permission, extra credit can also be given for attending a Jewish service or holiday at another local or out-of-town congregation, or a lecture or cultural event related to course content. It must be something different than what you would normally do (i.e. cannot get E.C. for attending your regular family seder.) For events at Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish group, visit: www.jewishchico.com .
Israeli Consul Ishmael Khaldi will speak on and off campus on Feb. 22. This is a Modern Jewish Studies related event and counts as extra credit.
Write a one-page journal entry on your experience, and turn in with your mid-term or final exam.
Hebrew Enrichment
Jewish Studies’ majors and others with some Hebrew skills may work together as hevrutot (study partners). A special section of this course to read some of the texts in Hebrew and Aramaic will be offered (possibly during office hours at 3:00 PM). Extra credit can be offered for consistent participation in this section.
Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and cheating constitute grave violations of the academic integrity policy of the Department of Religious Studies and the University. The policy of Religious Studies is that anyone who is found to have blatantly cheated or plagiarized on an assignment will fail the course and be referred to student judicial affairs for further disciplinary action. Always document both direct quotations and other people’s ideas, whether from books, websites or other sources.
Students with Certified Disabilities:
If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable accommodation, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for coordination of your academic accommodations. The DSS is located in University Center, behind Kendall Hall. Their phone number is 898-5959 V/TTY or Fax 898-4411. Visit the DSS website at www.csuchico.edu/dss/
Syllabus is subject to revision.
Selected Bibliography on Rabbinic Judaism-For Further Study
Biblical Background
Berlin, Adele and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds. 2004. The Jewish Study Bible.
New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Brettler, Marc Zvi, 2005. How to Read the Bible. Philadelphia:
Jewish Publication Society.
Coogan, Michael D., 2006. The Old Testament-A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures.New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Handbooks and Histories
Cohen, Shaye J.D., 1987. From the Maccabbees to the Mishnah.
Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
Fonrobert, Charlotte Elisheva and Martin S. Jaffee, eds. 2007.
The Cambridge Companion to The Talmud and Rabbinic Literature.
Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press.
Neusner, Jacob, 1995. The Classics of Judaism-A Textbook and Reader.
Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press.
Shanks, Hershel, ed. 1992. Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism-A Parallel History of Their Origins and Development. Washington, D.C.: Biblical Archaeology Society.
Safrai, Shmuel, ed. 1987., The Literature of the Sages (Parts I & II).
Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Strack., H.L. and Gunter Stemberger, 1992. Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash,
Trans. Markus Bockmuehl. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Urbach, Ephraim, 1979. The Sages-The World and Wisdom of the Rabbis of the Talmud..
Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Special Topics
Jaffee, Martin S., 2001. Torah in the Mouth-Writing and Oral Tradition in Palestinian Judaism, 200 BCE-400 CE. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kraemer, David, 1990. The Mind of the Talmud-An Intellectual History of the Bavli.
New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Weiss Halivni, David,1986. Midrash, Mishnah, and Gemara-The Jewish Prediliction for Justified Law. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Culture
Biale, David, 2002. Cultures of the Jews. New York: Schocken Books.
Boyarin, Daniel 1993. Carnal Israel-Reading Sex in Talmudic Culture.
Berkeley: University of California Press.
Rubenstein, Jeffrey 2003. The Culture of the Babylonian Talmud.
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins
Midrash and Literary Studies
Goldin, Judah, 1971. The Song at the Sea. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Hammer, Reuven, 1995. The Classic Midrash-Tannaitic Commentaries on the Bible, The Classics of Western Spirituality Series. New York: Paulist Press.
Hartman, Geoffrey and Budick, Sanford, eds., 1986. Midrash and Literature.
New Haven: Yale University Press.
Rubenstein, Jeffrey, 1999. Talmudic Stories-Narrative Art, Composition and Culture.
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Schwartz, Howard, 1998. Reimagining the Bible-The Storytelling of the Rabbis.
New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Stern, David, 1996. Midrash and Theory-Ancient Jewish Exegesis and Contemporary
Literary Studies. Evanston: Northwestern University Press.