Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + 'Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + 'Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + 'Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + 'Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + 'Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + 'Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + 'Richard Hidary
Introduction to Midrash
Judaic Studies 15 – Fall 2007
Mondays 6:20 – 9:00PM
This course seeks to answer the fundamental questions, “What is midrash?” and “What does Midrash do?” We will present a survey and analysis of select passages from the Midrash, the major repository of Jewish thought and biblical commentary of the Talmudic Rabbis. We will discuss the historical development of Midrash, the relationship between Halakhah and Aggadah, and medieval and modern literary approaches to the reading of Midrash. Relevant topics are: inner-biblical exegesis, midrash as a replacement for prophecy, omnisignifigance, harmonizing, filling-in gaps, polysemy, indeterminacy and intertextuality.
Grades will be determined based on a midterm (35%) a final (40%), participation, and assignments/presentations (25%). Students will be expected to prepare primary sources and readings for each class and be ready to discuss them. Lateness and absence will be penalized.
Office hours will be on Mondays, 10:45-11:45PM in 3111 James or by appointment.
1. Monday, August 27th - Books and Methods
Definitions – What is Midrash?
Review of Historical Periods and texts
Two Schools of Midrash & Polysemy in Midrash - handout
Reading: Encyclopedia Judaica: Midrash (HTML) or as PDF
Encyclopedia Judaica: Midreshei Halakhah (HTML) or as PDF
Sept. 3 - No Class
2. Monday, Sept. 10th - Polysemy in Midrash, cont.
Reading: Gary Porton, "Midrash," in Anchor Bible Dictionary.
3. Monday, Sept. 17th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Narrative: 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Chronicles 21
Suggested Reading:
Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1984), 231-277.
Michael Fishbane, “Inner Biblical Exegesis: Types and Strategies on Interpretation in Ancient Israel”, in Geoffrey H. Hartman and Sanford Budick ed., Midrash and Literature (Yale University Press, 1986), 19-37.
4. Monday, Sept. 24th - Inner-Biblical Exegesis
Law: Early Midrash Halakha
Resolving contradictions - Primary Sources: Cooking Passover - Ex 12:8-9, Dt 16:7, 2Chron 35:13, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael Piskha 6; Passover Animal - Ex 12:5, Dt 16:2, 2Chron 35 7-9, Mekhilta d’R. Ishmael, Pischa 4;
Examples of new legal revelations to Moshe in the desert:
The Daughters of Zelofhad
Pesah Sheni
Suggested Reading: Gary Porton, "Defining Midrash," in Jacob Neusner, ed. The Study of Ancient Judaism (New York, 1981), 1:55-92.
5. Monday, Oct. 1st
Exegetical Midrash vs. Homiletical Midrash
Three Year Cycle of Palestinian Torah Reading
Reading: Richard Hidary, "Rebellious Elder: Tannaitic and Amoraic Transformation of a Biblical Institution."
Oct. 8th – No Class, Columbus Day
6. Monday, Oct. 15th
The Petiha Format
Early Exegesis of Gen 12
Why did God choose Abraham?
Why did Abraham say "Now I know you are beautiful"?
Reading: James Kugel, The Bible as it Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).
7. Monday, Oct. 22nd
8. Monday, Oct. 29th -
a. Rashi’s Use of Midrash, Midrash as “Deep Peshat”
b. Collective Punishment - Apostate City
Reading: Moshe Halbertal, "Halakhah and Morality: The Case of the Apostate City," S'vara 3:1 (1993), 67-72.
9. Monday, Nov. 5th -
b. Collective Punishment - Achan
10. Monday, Nov. 12th -
a. Yaakov and Esau in the Midrash
b. Collective Punishment - War with Midian
Three things Moshe Taught God - Israel's Defense, Sins of Fathers on Sons, War with Sihon
11. Monday, Nov. 19th
12. Monday, Nov 26th – Authority of Rabbis
Primary Sources: Tefillin, Slavery, Night and Day, Eye for an Eye, Levirate Marriage, Incline after majority.
Oven of Achnai - Mezia 59a-59b
Reading: David Weiss Halivni. Peshat and Derash. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991, 3-22.
Eliezer Berkowitz. Not In Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakha. New York: Ktav, 1983, 47-50.
13. Monday, Dec. 3rd – Midrash and Mythology
Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael
Reading: Daniel Boyarin. Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994, 93-104.
14. Monday, Dec. 10th - Midrash vs. Peshat in Halakha
Suggested Reading: Harris, Jay. How Do We Know This?: Midrash and the Fragmentation of Modern Judaism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Final Review
Dec. 17th - Final 6-8PM at James 3111
document.write(''); document.write('\r' + '