Explores the Jewish interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Targums, Midrashic texts, Talmud and medieval rabbinic commentators. The course focuses on texts that are relevant to the study of Missio Dei. The course further presents current issues, topics, and problems in rabbinic studies and students are guided in focused research in a specialised area of Jewish studies.
Students develop an understanding of the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible by various Jewish groups and prominent Jewish figures through the ages.
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is among the most important finds in the history of modern archaeology. It sheds light on the emergence of Christianity and of rabbinic Judaism and the relationship between Christian and Jewish religious traditions. Further, considering the early Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible, or targums, ancient Jewish commentaries, or midrashim, and the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial laws, or Talmud, provides invaluable insight into the history and importance of Jewish interpretations of the Hebrew Bible.
The course focuses on biblical texts that were found in the Qumran caves and on the interpretation of key texts in the Hebrew Bible in the history of Jewish and rabbinic thought.
The course explores the way in which prominent Jewish interpreters and traditions have interpreted God’s redemptive work as described in the Hebrew Bible.
The course equips students to examine and articulate the impact of cultural and socio-economic factors in the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible by various groups and interpreters in the Jewish tradition.
The course explores the common historical roots of Christianity and rabbinic Judaism and the relationship between early Christian and Jewish religious traditions.
The course introduces many of the principles and practices used in the history of Jewish interpretation.
Student are guided to reflect upon the impact of the Bible on the lives of various Jewish and Christian groups in a variety of historical periods and contexts.
