Unit One Jewish history and literature in the classic age

Judah and Judy “Ism” Why the term Judaism is misleading Why the term Judaism is misleading But not as misleading as the term Israel, the traditional name for the Jewish people (and NOT a country!) But not as misleading as the term Israel, the traditional name for the Jewish people (and NOT a country!) What is the difference between Israel and Jew? What is the difference between Israel and Jew?

Judaism – Creed, Religion,Nationality? Can one be a Christian atheist? Can one be a Jewish atheist? Can one be a Christian atheist? Can one be a Jewish atheist? Secular Judaism vs. Religious Judaism. Secular Judaism vs. Religious Judaism. Fitting the texts of classical Judaism into 19 th century categories of religion. Fitting the texts of classical Judaism into 19 th century categories of religion.

A glossary of terms Hebrew Hebrew Israel Israel Jews Jews Semites Semites

The Biblical Legacy Jews have traditionally divided the Hebrew Bible into three sections: Torah ('Law', the Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im ('Prophets'), and Ketuvim ('Writings'); the first letters of each section form the word, Ta Na Kh, which is the common Hebrew name for the Hebrew Bible. Jews have traditionally divided the Hebrew Bible into three sections: Torah ('Law', the Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im ('Prophets'), and Ketuvim ('Writings'); the first letters of each section form the word, Ta Na Kh, which is the common Hebrew name for the Hebrew Bible.

The Hebrew Bible is not the Old Testament! The differences between the Hebrew (or Jewish) Bible and the Old Testament of the Protestants (mostly order) and Catholic (order and books)

The Biblical Legacy Traditionally, Jews have attributed the composition of the Torah to Moses, Nevi'im to various Prophets, and Ketuvim to Prophets and two Kings (David and Solomon). Modern scholarship sees them as the work of anonymous authors dating from the 11th cent. b.c.e to the 3rd cent. b.c.e.

Torah The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (these names derive from the Greek translation) The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (these names derive from the Greek translation) Contains mostly narrative and laws – some poetry, too. Contains mostly narrative and laws – some poetry, too.

Nevi’im (Prophets) Historical Narratives (Early Prophets) Historical Narratives (Early Prophets) Records of Prophetic Writings (Later Prophets) Records of Prophetic Writings (Later Prophets) The prophets are more castigators than prognosticators.The prophets are more castigators than prognosticators. Prophecy ends with after the return from the Babylonian ExileProphecy ends with after the return from the Babylonian Exile

Historical Time Line of Torah and Nevi’im c b.c.e.Abraham c "Exodus from Egypt c "David 722 "Fall of Northern Kingdom 722 "Fall of Northern Kingdom 586 "Fall or Southern Kingdom,destruction of First Temple, exile to Babylonia 586 "Fall or Southern Kingdom,destruction of First Temple, exile to Babylonia 516 "Some return to Israel under Haggai and Zekhariah 516 "Some return to Israel under Haggai and Zekhariah 444 " Ezra 444 " Ezra

Ketuvim – Writings Psalm, Wisdom literature, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Historical Chronicles, some of these are pseudepigraphic Psalm, Wisdom literature, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Historical Chronicles, some of these are pseudepigraphic

Development of Oral Tradition and Post-Biblical Writings c.e. Apocrypha (Books excluded from Jewish (and Protestant) Canon, e.g., Tobit, Ecclesiasticus, Judish, Maccabees c.e. Apocrypha (Books excluded from Jewish (and Protestant) Canon, e.g., Tobit, Ecclesiasticus, Judish, Maccabees. Other writings such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and Apocalyptic Works Other writings such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and Apocalyptic Works Greek and Aramaic Translation of Bible, Hellenistic Exegesis and Philosophy (Philo), History (Josephus). Little of this resonates in rabbinic Judaism Greek and Aramaic Translation of Bible, Hellenistic Exegesis and Philosophy (Philo), History (Josephus). Little of this resonates in rabbinic Judaism

Review of Last Class Rabbinic Period 70 c.e. – 500 Rabbinic Period 70 c.e. – c.e. – 220 Period of the Tannaim 70 c.e. – 220 Period of the Tannaim(Tanna=Teacher)

Tannaitic Literature Two Genres – Non-midrashic and midrash Two Genres – Non-midrashic and midrash Midrash = Rabbinic exegesis of scripture. Midrash = Rabbinic exegesis of scripture. Two Categories – Legal (Halakhic) and non-legal Two Categories – Legal (Halakhic) and non-legal

Non-Midrashic Literature Mishnah (Law code of R. Judah the Prince, authoritative, c. 200 c.e. Mishnah (Law code of R. Judah the Prince, authoritative, c. 200 c.e. Tosefta (Law code of Rabbi Hiyya and Oshaiah, c. 220 c.e., not as authoritative Tosefta (Law code of Rabbi Hiyya and Oshaiah, c. 220 c.e., not as authoritative Beraitot (Tannaitic legal statements cited in Talmud) Beraitot (Tannaitic legal statements cited in Talmud)

Midrashic Literature Midrash Halakha: Mikhilta (Exodus), Sifra (Leviticus), Sifrei (Numbers and Deuteronomy Midrash Halakha: Mikhilta (Exodus), Sifra (Leviticus), Sifrei (Numbers and Deuteronomy Midrash Aggadah: Midrash Rabbah, Tanhuma, Pirkei de Rabbi Eliezer, etc. Midrash Aggadah: Midrash Rabbah, Tanhuma, Pirkei de Rabbi Eliezer, etc.

Amoraitic Literature Amoraim – Jewish Scholars in Babylonia and Palestine/Land of Israel 220-c.500 Amoraim – Jewish Scholars in Babylonia and Palestine/Land of Israel 220-c.500 The Two Talmuds – Babylonian and Palestinian The Two Talmuds – Babylonian and Palestinian Differences between the Talmuds Differences between the Talmuds

Medieval Literature The Jews under Crescent and Cross The Jews under Crescent and Cross First Period ( ) First Period ( ) Savoraim (redactors of the Talmud) ( ) Savoraim (redactors of the Talmud) ( ) Geonim (Heads of the Babylonian Academies ( ) Geonim (Heads of the Babylonian Academies ( )

Geonic Literature Bible Studies – Fixing of the Masora and translation of Bible into Arabic Bible Studies – Fixing of the Masora and translation of Bible into Arabic Legal Studies – Mostly Responsa of the Geonim Legal Studies – Mostly Responsa of the Geonim Philosophy/Science Saadia Gaon ( ): Exegesis, Hebrew linguistics, Halakhic writings, Polemical writings Philosophy/Science Saadia Gaon ( ): Exegesis, Hebrew linguistics, Halakhic writings, Polemical writings

Period of the Early Authorities (Rishonim) Europe, N. Africa, and the Middle East: Ashkenazi vs. Sefardi Europe, N. Africa, and the Middle East: Ashkenazi vs. Sefardi Biblical Studies Biblical Studies Legal Studies Legal Studies Philosophical Studies Philosophical Studies Kabbalah Kabbalah

Biblical Studies R. Shlomo Yitzkahi (Rashi) R. Shlomo Yitzkahi (Rashi) Peshat/MidrashPeshat/Midrash R. Abraham ibn Ezra R. Abraham ibn Ezra PeshatPeshat R. Moses Maimonides (ben Maimon) R. Moses Maimonides (ben Maimon) AllegoricalAllegorical

Biblical Studies R. Moseh Nahmanides (ben Nahman) R. Moseh Nahmanides (ben Nahman) 4 Levels4 Levels R. Levi ben Gershom R. Levi ben Gershom Pshat and AllegoricalPshat and Allegorical R. Don Issac Abrabanel R. Don Issac Abrabanel Peshat and AllegoricalPeshat and Allegorical

Legal Studies R. Isaac of Fez R. Isaac of Fez First post-Talmudic law code, follows the order of the TalmudFirst post-Talmudic law code, follows the order of the Talmud R. Shlomo Yitzhaki – Commentary on Talmud R. Shlomo Yitzhaki – Commentary on Talmud Maimonides Maimonides Commentary on MishnahCommentary on Mishnah Mishneh TorahMishneh Torah ResponsaResponsa Nahmanides Nahmanides NovellaeNovellae R. Solomon b. Abraham (Rashba) R. Solomon b. Abraham (Rashba) NovellaeNovellae

Legal Studies R. Asher b. Yehiel (Rosh) R. Asher b. Yehiel (Rosh) Commentary on Talmud and CodeCommentary on Talmud and Code R. Jacob b. Asher (the Tur) R. Jacob b. Asher (the Tur) The Law CodeThe Law Code R. Joseph Karo (the Shulhan Arukh R. Joseph Karo (the Shulhan Arukh Set TableSet Table R. Moses Isserles (the Mappah) R. Moses Isserles (the Mappah) TableclothTablecloth

Philosophy and Ethics 12th cent. Abraham Ibn Ezra, Judah Halevy, Maimonides 12th cent. Abraham Ibn Ezra, Judah Halevy, Maimonides 13th cent. Translation movement from Arabic to Hebrew, Samuel Ibn Tibbon and Shem Tov. b.Joseph Falaquera, 13th cent. Translation movement from Arabic to Hebrew, Samuel Ibn Tibbon and Shem Tov. b.Joseph Falaquera, 14th cent. Philosophers include Gersonides, Joseph ibn Kaspi, and Moses of Narbonne, 15th cent. Hasdai Crescas and Isaac Abrabanel, Spain. 14th cent. Philosophers include Gersonides, Joseph ibn Kaspi, and Moses of Narbonne, 15th cent. Hasdai Crescas and Isaac Abrabanel, Spain.

Ethical Studies Ethics: Bahya ibn Pakuda Ethics: Bahya ibn Pakuda Maimonides’ Philosophical Ethics Maimonides’ Philosophical Ethics Ashkenzaic Pietists Sefer Hasidim c Ashkenzaic Pietists Sefer Hasidim c Other Ethical Writings Other Ethical Writings

Kabbalah The Book of Luminosity (Sefer ha- Bahir), The Book of Luminosity (Sefer ha- Bahir), Writings of Abraham Abulafia Writings of Abraham Abulafia the Zoharic literature, 13th Spain. the Zoharic literature, 13th Spain. The Tree of Life (Etz Hayyim) of Isaac Luria, and the Orchard of Pomegranites (Pardes Rimonim) of Moshe Cordevero.R. The Tree of Life (Etz Hayyim) of Isaac Luria, and the Orchard of Pomegranites (Pardes Rimonim) of Moshe Cordevero.R.

Legal Studies R. Asher b. Yehiel (Rosh) R. Asher b. Yehiel (Rosh) Commentary on Talmud and CodeCommentary on Talmud and Code R. Jacob b. Asher (the Tur) R. Jacob b. Asher (the Tur) The Law CodeThe Law Code R. Joseph Karo (the Shulhan Arukh R. Joseph Karo (the Shulhan Arukh Set TableSet Table R. Moses Isserles (the Mappah) R. Moses Isserles (the Mappah) TableclothTablecloth