Religious Roots of Europe: Rabbinic Texts and Theology

<p>Dive into the world of classical rabbinic literature! In this course you will explore foundational texts like the Mishnah and Talmud, acquiring the tools to understand their theological, cultural, and linguistic significance across time and tradition.</p><p>The course explores selected texts from classical rabbinic literature, ranging from the Mishnah to the Babylonian Talmud. Attention is given to the political, cultural, and linguistic contexts in which these texts emerged, alongside their origin, content, and characteristics. </p><p>A substantial part of the course involves close readings of rabbinic texts in Hebrew, accompanied by English translations. To illustrate the diversity of genres within rabbinic literature, additional texts are studied in translation. This approach allows for a broader understanding of the literary and theological landscape. </p><p>Through engagement with the texts, you will develop skills in Mishnaic Hebrew and gain insight into rabbinic thought and cultural expression. The course highlights rabbinic literature as a vital source for understanding Jewish life and late antiquity, and its enduring influence on later Jewish tradition. </p><p><br/></p>