Theological Studies Jewish Studies - Brite Divinity School

Theological Studies Jewish Studies from Brite Divinity School is a Campus Master Language degree that prepares you for a Liberal Arts career. JWST 60003 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM An introduction to the many forms of Jewish observance, ritual, literature, thought and political determination that have appeared (and disappeared) over the historical span of Judaism. The course provides an overview of Jewish history, a broad knowledge of Jewish customs, beliefs and culture, direct exposure to an array of Jewish religious writings (all in translation), and an understanding of the fundamental issues of contemporary Jewish practice and belief. JWST 60013 JUDAISM IN ANTIQUITY An examination of the various forms of Judaism that existed in the Middle East and Mediterranean from approximately 450 B.C.E. to 650 C.E., as well as the relationship between and mutual development of early Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity. JWST 60033/80033/90033 TALMUDIC LITERATURE An introduction to early talmudic (Jewish legal) literature, including well known texts such as the Palestinian and Babylonian Talmuds. The goal of the course is to develop the fundamental skills required for the study of talmudic texts, and for understanding their religious, historical and sociological roles in the ongoing development of Judaism. All texts will be read in English translation. JWST 60043/80043/90043 JEWISH MYSTICAL TRADITION Mysticism has influenced Judaism from antiquity to the present. This course examines portions of the Jewish mystical tradition (ultimately designated Kabbalah), in order to learn how Jewish mystical impulses have been expressed, and how they have affected Jewish history. Topics include: major stages in the historical development of Jewish mysticism, key personages, recurring Jewish mystical symbolism and imagery, and decoding Jewish, mystical texts (e.g., Zohar) . JWST 60053/80053/90053 JEWISH THEOLOGY An introduction to the historical development of the conceptual framework and themes of Jewish theology. This course will examine the theological literary tradition in Judaism, examining both classical and contemporary sources. Topics include: the theological ideas expressed in the Tanakh and their Near Eastern roots; classical Rabbinic theology; medieval rationalism and mysticism; and modern Jewish theology. JWST 60063/80063/90063 WOMEN IN JUDAISM This course examines from a variety of perspectives issues of Jewish observance that pertain particularly to women (e.g., marriage, divorce, personal purity, ordination, abortion, etc). In-depth reading and consideration of relevant Jewish legal sources (the Hebrew Bible, the Mishnah and the Babylonian Talmud) will lead to considering how these laws develop and change over time. The course will then build upon this foundation by studying the current debate surrounding these issues in various movements of contemporary Judaism, as well as how scholars from various disciplines (History, Anthropology, Gender Studies , etc.) have defined and discussed them. JWST 70003/80003/90003 JEWISH LAW AND PRACTICE IN ANTIQUITY An examination of the dynamics and development of "Law" in Early Judaism in the Second Temple and post-Second Temple period. This course explores Jewish communal and individual behavior, actions, prohibitions, rituals, and modes of observance required by God and defined through Scripture. This exploration will provide insight into how "Law" served to construct identity and theological frameworks for early Judaism and Christianity. JWST 70013/80013/90013 JUDAISM IN THE GRECO-ROMAN PERIOD: RITUAL SPACE, PERFORMANCE AND TRANSFORMATION IN EARLY JUDAISM An examination of diverse understandings and expressions of ritual space, ritual method and ritual modes of transformation evidenced by forms of Early Judaism in the Second and post-Second Temple period. Through the exploration of subjects pertaining to Jewish ritual (e.g., Temple, synagogue, sacrifice, prayer, study, repentance, conversion, discipleship, etc.), this course provides insight into theological, social, cultural and political continuities and discontinuities in the development of Early Judaism. JWST 70023/80023/90023 JEWISH BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION Masters prerequisite: None. Doctoral Prerequisite: One year of Biblical Hebrew, or permission of instructor. Examination of the many ways and methods employed by Jewish communities to reinterpret the Hebrew Bible over thousands of years. The goal is to understand how the Hebrew Bible is a multivalent document, containing many meanings for different people at different times. JWST 70073/80073/90073 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY RABBINIC LITERATURE I Masters prerequisites: HEBI 60003, 70013 and 70023, or permission of instructor. Part I of a detailed survey of the range, substance and character of early Rabbinic literature. Texts studied will include the Mishnah, Tosefta, and the various interpretive texts of the Tannaitic/Halakhic midrashic corpus. The goals of the course are to teach the student how to read these texts and how to situate them properly within the religious, historical, sociological and literary context of early Judaism. JWST 70083/80083/90083 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY RABBINIC LITERATURE II Masters prerequisites: HEBI 60003, 70013 and 70023, or permission of instructor. Part II of a detailed survey of the range, substance and character of early Rabbinic literature. Texts studied will include the corpus of Amoraic midrashic texts (e.g., Genesis and Leviticus Rabbah), the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds, and early Byzantine midrashic texts (e.g., Tanhuma). The goals of the course are to teach the student how to read these texts and how to situate them properly within the religious, historical, sociological and literary context of early Judaism. JWST 70093/80093/90093 COMPARATIVE MIDRASH Masters prerequisites: HEBI 60003, 70013, and 70023, or permission of instructor. A comparative reading of two early Rabbinic collections of interpretation of the Book of Exodus ? the Mekhilta of Rabbi Shimon B. Yohai and the Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael. The goal of the course is to improve the student's ability not only to read and understand these types of midrashic texts, but also to think critically and creatively about them. We shall also give in-depth consideration to the scholarly usefulness of a comparative approach to midrash. JWST 70970/80970/90970 SPECIAL TOPICS IN JEWISH STUDIES. May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours) JWST 71973 FINAL EXERCISE Prerequisite: Admittance to the M.T.S. degree program. An independent research study course, taken in the final semester in program, that integrates material covered in earlier coursework and produces a final paper, normally 20-30 pages in length. View more details on Brite Divinity School . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Language courses.