OT101;102 Ein Yaakov: Legends (Aggadah) of the Talmud (1-0-1)
The methodology of the aggadah; the aggadah as the expression of the rabbis in fundamentals of faith; analysis of the talmudic text.
Course requirements: Term paper, final exam per semester.
OT103;104 Talmudic Insights into the Weekly Bible Portion (1-0-1)
Selected topics from the weekly Bible portion as seen through the light of the Talmud and the medieval Talmudic commentaries.
Course requirements: Pass/fail course. Attendance required.
OT105;106 Introduction to Midrash (1-1-2)
The aim of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the methodology and the meaning of Midrash. Emphasis on acquiring tools to analyze and understand midrash of different types, including the parable, the “story midrash,†and the concordance midrash. Supervised chavruta preparation integrated into course.
Course requirements: Term paper per semester.
OT107;108 Foundations of the Oral Tradition (1-0-1)
The Torah its origins and transmission. Focus on the revelation and unfolding of both the Written and Oral Law.
Course Requirements: Final exam per semester.
OT109;110 Legends and Aggadot Yalkut Shimoni (2-0-2)
The anthology, Yalkut Shimoni, was edited by Rabbi Simon the Darshan of Frankfurt. This anthology contains citations from all existent forms of the Oral Tradition including the Babylonian Talmud, Midrash Rabah, Midrash Tanhuma, Pirkei Derabi Eliezer and is organized according to biblical verse. This course is designed to give students familiarity with both the design and the contents of specified portions of the Yalkut.
Course Requirements: Final exam per semester.
OT201;202 Ein Yaakov: Legends (Aggadah) of the Talmud (1-0-1)
Continuation of OT101;102. The methodology of the aggadah; the aggadah as the expression of the rabbis in fundamentals of faith; analysis of the talmudic text.
Course requirements: Final exam per semester
OT203;204 Advanced Midrash (1-1-2)
Continuation of OT 105;106
OT205;206 Ein Ayah (2-0-2)
Rabbi A. I. Kook’s monumental commentary on the Ein Yaakov. Focus on Tractata Brachot. The Rabbis maintain that a person’s quest for fear of heaven should lead him to the legends of the Talmud. In his unique fashion, Rabbi Kook paints a lofty but very real picture of man, the commandments, and the world.
Course requirements: Pass/Fail course. Attendance required.