CLASSICAL RABBINIC LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION
(Spring
2009)
Hebrew Studies 328 / Literature in Translation 328 / Jewish Studies 328 / Religious Studies 328
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Class: M/W/F 9:55-10:45, Ingraham 223
Instructor:
E. Tod
Twist
email: ettwist@wisc.edu
Office:
1352 Van Hise
office phone:263-2835
celll: (608) 334-3842
Office
Hours:
M 11:00-Noon (and by appointment)cell:
(608) 334-3842
Course Description:
This course offers a general introduction to the literature of the
Classical
Rabbinic or Talmudic period of Judaism. We will primarily focus upon:
(a) the
Mishnah and its interpretation in the Babylonian Talmud; (b) midrash aggadah,
or non-legal midrash.
We will be reading primary sources that are quite difficult. The quantity of material is not large, but we will examine it very intensively with close and detailed analyses. As a foundation for our study, we will examine the historical development of the Rabbinic period of Judaism.
I will give out worksheets and reading guides on a regular basis. The main goal of the course is the development of reading skills that will enable a glimpse into a radically foreign culture of religious elites - a culture whose thought and practice have shaped the religious life of Jews to the present.
The course is intended for undergraduates. No knowledge of Hebrew or previous background in biblical studies is required. Methodologically, we shall stress close reading and critical analysis of primary medieval and ancient texts. All readings are in English translation.
Goals:
- To understand the background of the Rabbinic Period of Judaism, and thereby the distinctive contribution of the Rabbis to the history of Judaism;
- To develop an initial familiarity with the major genres of Rabbinic Literature;
- To acquire a working vocabulary of interpretive techniques for those genres;
- To develop skills in the analysis (and expression of analysis) of this literature.
Course Requirements and Grading:
Syllabus:
During the course of the semester, the syllabus and requirements may be
modified. Any modifications will be announced in class and by email,
with ample
warning before any due dates.
Required Texts: bring the assigned readings to each class!
Martin S. Jaffee, Early Judaism [= "Jaffee" on schedule]
Chai Sherry, Torah through Time [= "Sherry on schedule]
In addition to these two books, worksheet Assignments, Primary Text Selections, and other Secondary Readings will be made available via "Learn@UW-Madison" [https://learnuw.wisc.edu].
You are expected to have access to an English
translation of
the Hebrew Bible. You may use any
translation that you wish, but I suggest that you use a scholarly
translation
that is fairly literal (i.e. "word-for-word") in its style, because
this will
help you notice underlying language features more readily.
If you have no preference, an online version
of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is available here: http://www.devotions.net/bible/00old.htm
Attendance:
I expect you to attend class,
arrive on time, and stay through the session. Arrive
prepared and ready to work. I will not
accept disruptions and distractions from any source. After 3
absences,
one half grade per class missed will be deducted from the final grade.
Grade Distribution
and Grading Scale :
Grading Distribution:
Homework:
35%
First In-Class exam: 15%
Second In-Class exam: 15%
Take-Home Paper 1: 15%
Take-Home Paper 2: 15%
External Lecture: 5%
Grading Scale:
A =94.0 - 100
AB =88.0 - 93.9
B = 82.0 - 87.9
BC =76.0 - 81.9
C = 70.0 - 75.9
D =60.0 - 69.9
F = 0 - 59.9
(This grading distribution and scale is approximate and may be subject to change.)
Homework Readings and Questions (35%):
Homework answers must be done before class in typewritten hardcopy and submitted at the end of the class session. Late Homework will be accepted, but with a penalty.
Homework consists of reading the assigned primary and secondary passages, thinking about them, and providing brief (two or three sentences) written answers to questions about them.
Note that I reserve the right to call on students during class discussions.
You may miss a maximum of two homework assignments before losing grade points, but you are responsible for material covered in any assignments that you miss. If you do not miss any homework assignments, your lowest two homework grades will be dropped.
Exams and Papers (60% total):
The two exams and the papers will be based upon all aspects of the course (readings, homework, and class discussions).
I will construct exams from homework assignments, lectures, and readings. I will provide a study guide for both exams.
Both papers will be approximately 5-7 pages each. Detailed instructions for the papers will be handed out near the beginning of Units Three and Four. You will have several options to choose from for both paper assignments.
External Lecture (5%):
You are required to attend one external lecture from the options listed below. A one-page typewritten summary of the contents of the lecture that you attended is due the class period after the lecture.
Possible Extra Credit:
You may trade attendance at an additional external lecture for a missed homework assignment or a low homework grade. I will allow you the option of making-up or trading-up two homework assignments by attending up to two additional external lectures sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies during this semester.
Lecture Options [For complete information: http://jewishstudies.wisc.edu/lectures/]:
Feb 10th- A Reading from H.G. Adler's "The Journey"
Feb 19th - Art and Politics
Mar 26th - The Palestinian Refugees as a Jewish Question
Apr 1st - Israel's First Sixty Years
Apr 13th - Jews, Multiculturalism, and American Ethnoracial and Religious History
Apr 14th - American Jewish History in a Post-Jewish Domain
Apr 18-20th- The Midwest KlezKamp Roadshow
Apr 22-24th-
Performing Histories, Inscribing
Jewishness
Apr 23rd - Paul
Celan's Poetry and Thought
Apr 28th -Ancient Synagogues in the Land of Israel
Academic Integrity
and Honesty:
University rules allow for failing students for the entire course
if caught
cheating or plagiarizing.
Special
Accommodations and Extreme Circumstances:
Students needing
special accommodations
for disabilities should provide documentation from the McBurney Center
at the
beginning of the semester. Please inform me about any needs
regarding
religious observances. Any
foreseen extreme circumstances
must be brought to my attention in advance.
SCHEDULE (approximate and may be adjusted if needed)
Unit 1
Week 1 (Jan 21, 23)
1/21
Introduction to Course and Syllabus
m. Avot 1.1
1/23
Jaffee "Collective Authorship"
Samely "Works of Rabbinic Literature"
Week 2 (Jan 26,
28, 30)
1/26-Assignment 1
Jaffee 1-24
m. Avot 1 (all)
1/28-Assignment 2
Jaffee 25-46
m. Berakhot 1-2 (all)
1/30-Assignment 3
Cherry "Introduction" + Cp. 1 ("No Word Unturned")
Yadin "Hermeneutical Markedness"
t. Berakhot 1.1-5
Week 3 (Feb 2, 4, 6)
2/2-Assignment 4
Jaffee 49-73
Comparative text of m. Berakhot 8 and t. Berakhot 5
2/4-Assignment 5
Jaffee 74-98
Comparative text of m. Berakhot 8.1-4 and b. Berakhot 8 (folios 51B-52A)
2/6-Assignment 6
Jaffee 99-121
Comparative text of m. Berakhot 8.1-4 and y. Berakhot 8
Week 4 (Feb 9, 11, 13)
2/9-Assignment 7
Cherry Cp. 2 ("The Creation of Humanity")
2/11
Review
2/13-Exam 1
Unit 2
Week 5 (Feb 16, 18, 20)
2/16-[Go over Exam 1]
Jaffee 125-151
2/18-Assignment 8
Jaffee 152-188
m. Sukkah 1 (selection)
b. Sukkah 2a-3a
2/20-Assignment 9
Cherry Cp. 3 ("The Sons of Adam and Eve")
Week 6 (Feb 23, 25, 27)
2/23-Assignment 10
Jaffee 189-225
Avot de Rabbi Natan, version A on the "fence of the sages"
2/25-Assignment 11
Jaffee 230-249
Avot de Rabbi Natan (Version A) 41 on m. Avot 4.13
2/27 -Assignment 12
Swartz "Jewish Visionary Tradition in Rabbinic Literature"
Schofer "Rabbinic Ethical Formation"
Week 7 (Mar 2, 4, 6)
3/2-Assignment 13
Jaffee 250-259; 263-266
Avot de Rabbi Natan (Version A) 16, commentary to yetzer ha-ra'
3/4-Assignment 14
b. Berakhot 61b on the
martyrdom of
R. Akiva
3/6-Assignment 16
Cherry Cp. 4 ("The Hebrew Slave")
Week 8- (Mar 9, 11,
13)
3/9-Assignment 17
Kugel "Nine Theses"
3/11
Review
3/13-Exam 2
[Spring Break:- Mar 14-22]
Unit 3
Week 9 (Mar 23, 25, 27)
3/23-[Go over Exam 2]
Introduction to Midrash
Genesis Rabbah 1 (selection) + Genesis 1:1; Proverbs 8
3/25-Assignment 18
Fraade "Rabbinic Midrash and Ancient Jewish Biblical Interpretation"
Bemidbar Rabbah (selection) + Numbers 11 (on the 70 elders)
Sifre Deuteronomy 32 (selection)
3/27-Assignment 19
(Paper
1, Option 1)
Genesis 22
Genesis Rabbah 55
Week 10 (Mar 30, Apr 1, 3)
3/30-Assignment 20
(Paper 1, Option 2)
Deut 3:23-26
Sifre Deuteronomy 26
4/1-Assignment 21
(Paper 1, Option 3)
Deuteronomy 33:2
Sifre Deuteronomy 343
4/3-[Continue material from previous session]
Week 11 (Apr 6, 8, 10)
4/6-Assignment 22
(Paper 1, Option 4)
Exodus 19, 20
Mekhilta to Ex. 20:2
4/8-Assignment 23
Cherry Cp. 5 ("Korah and His Gang")
4/10-No Session (Pesach)
Week 12 (Apr 13, 15, 17)
4/13-Assignment 24
Cherry Cp. 6 ("The Daughters of Zelophehad")
4/15-No Session (Pesach)
4/17-Paper 1 Due
Introduction to Next Unit
Unit 4
Week 13 (Apr 20, 22, 24)
4/20Assignment 25
The Oven of Akhnai (Paper 2, Option 1)
m. Baba Metzia 4 (all)
b. Baba Metzia 58b-59b
4/22-[Continue Previous Material]
4/24-Assignment 26
Mysticism + The Four in the Garden -(Paper 2, Option 2)
b. Hagigah 14b
m. Hagigah 2:1
t. Hagigah
2:1-4
b. Hagigah 11b-16a
Week 14 (Apr 27, 29, May 1)
4/27-[Continue Previous Material]
4/29-Assignment 27
Legends and Myths: Ships and Sea-Monsters- (Paper 2, Option 3)
m. Baba Batra 4 all, 5:1
b. Baba Batra 73a-77b
5/1-[Continue Previous Material]
Week 15 (May 4, 6, 8)
5/4- Assignment 28
Magic: Prohibitions
and
Practices -(Paper 2, Option 4)
m.
Sanhedrin 7 all
b.
Sanhedrin 67a-68a
5/6-[Continue Previous Material]
5/8
Summary and Review
Finals Week:
Monday 11 May at 2:25 p.m.-Paper 2 Due
If you have trouble accessing this page, contact: Chris Dargis (cadargis@wisc.edu)
Latest revision date: 1/20/2009 (cad)