June 30–August 1, 2008



Study of primary texts is central to Jewish studies at Hebrew College. Bible, Mishnah, Gemara, Midrash, Codes and medieval commentary, as well as contemporary Jewish literature, form the program’s core. From the integrated study of Jewish sources, history, culture and ethics, students gain the skills and a multitude of perspectives to become confident interpreters of Jewish texts and tradition.


UC=undergraduate credit; GC=graduate credit; NC=noncredit

Tradition, Modernity and Identities in Conflict as Reflected in American Jewish Literature
Schimmel
June 30–July 11
(July 4 session to be rescheduled)
Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
3 GC, $2,685; NC, $550
LITR 555

This course will examine short stories and brief excerpts from novels—by (among others) I.B. Singer, Milton Steinberg, Philip Roth, Chaim Potok, Bernard Malamud, Rebecca Goldstein, Nathan Englander and Shalom Auslander—which address tensions between traditional Judaism and modern values, sensibilities and definitions of self. Students will explore the psychological and sociological insights of these writers while enjoying their narrative artistry.

The Joseph Story Through the Eyes of Classic Medieval Bible Commentaries
Cohn
July 21–August 1
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
3 GC, $2,685; NC, $550
BIBLE 562

In recent decades, there has been a revival of interest in the classic medieval Jewish Bible commentaries. Long considered hopelessly outdated as a result of the advances of modern scholarship, these commentaries are again being studied by academic scholars for their flashes of insight, for their sensitivity to the nuances and subtleties of the biblical text, and for their articulation of Jewish tradition. In this course, we will read closely portions of the Joseph story (Genesis 37–50), aided by selections from the commentaries of Rashi, his grandson Rashbam, the nomadic Abraham Ibn Ezra and the kabbalist/halakhist Nachmanides (Ramban). Our aim will be to discover what is individualistic and unique about each of these commentaries.

All assigned texts will be in translation, with ample opportunity for those interested in working in the original Hebrew. The course will also include a bet midrash component.

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