10572 Historical Topics in the World of the Sages 1

Credits: 6 advanced credits in Ancient History of the Jewish People or in Oral Law

Prerequisites: 36 credits, including one course in Ancient History or in Ancient History of the Jewish People. Students must also fulfill all English requirements and take bibliographic instruction in the Library.

Authors: Joseph Agur, Aya Barsky, Ben-Zion Rosenfeld, Raz Mustigman

The course examines key historical issues relating to Rabbinic society in Israel during the period of the Mishnah and Talmud. It acquaints students with primary sources, and develops analytic and critical reading skills through reference to current studies on the topics surveyed.

Topics: Historical introduction – the Land of Israel between the destruction of the Second Temple and the abolition of the Patriarchy; The Patriarch and the Sanhedrin during the period of the Mishnah and Talmud; Rabbinic academies in the Land of Israel in the Mishnah and Talmud periods; Jews, Greeks and Romans in the eyes of the Rabbis between the destruction of the Temple and the rise of Christianity; Relations between the Land of Israel and Babylon; The decline of Israel as a center during the 3rd and 4th centuries.

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1Students may write a seminar paper within the framework of this course, although it is not required.

There is some overlap in the content of this and other courses. For details, see Overlapping Courses.