A survey and overview of Rabbinic literature and the traditions that were shaped by them, in particular the Mishna and Talmud. Students will explore the ways in which these texts and traditions were both a reflection of and a reaction to the changes and challenges faced by the rabbis in the first, second and third centuries, beginning with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70ad, coinciding with the growth of the early church, through the Patristic Age. Select passages of the texts will be read and discussed, contextualized in a manner designed to help Missional University students understand, apprehend and appreciate the distinctives of the Jewish religion that developed in light of the Christian faith.
In addition to the foundational texts of Judaism—Torah, Prophets and Writings (TaNaKh) of the Hebrew Bible—there are also supplemental sacred texts that are authoritative in the history, life, faith, practice and identity that defines the Jewish religion. Students familiar with the Rabbinic texts will better understand Jewish identity formation but also gain opportunities to engage the Jewish community within their knowledge and value structure.
This course familiarizes learners with important sources of authority for contemporary Judaism.
Texts examined in this course are “post-biblical” but comprise expansions, developments and interpretations of the biblical literature and ethical teachings inspired by the Bible.
Students will discover the internal coherence of Judaism’s value system and how it is based on the Rabbinic literature in order to engage the Jewish community as an informed, missionally-minded Christian that appreciates the history and traditions important to Jewish people.
Students will discover the internal coherence of Judaism’s value system and how it is based on the Rabbinic literature in order to engage the Jewish community as an informed, missionally-minded Christian that appreciates the history and traditions important to Jewish people.
Students will understand and appreciate how contemporary Judaism owes much to its history, especially the textual authoritative sources for defining its ethics and morality.
It is said that “faith precedes understanding,” but practical and applied Christianity is also informed, and this course gives students the tools to apply both faith and understanding.
Students prepared and equipped to engage the Jewish world from within its own understanding of the Scriptures, according to its own interpretive and ethical framework, may experience personal development and opportunities to introduce a Gospel-centered understanding of the Scriptures to Jewish people.
