Topics in Judaism (339-0-1)

Topic

Reading the Talmud

Instructors

Barry Wimpfheimer
847 4912618
Crowe Hall, 1860 Campus Drive, 4-140
Barry Wimpfheimer is an assistant professor of Religious Studies and Law at Northwestern University. A specialist in Ancient Judaism, and particularly the Talmud, Wimpfheimer is interested in the relationship betweeen Jewish Law and the traditional literature and culture of Judaism. He is the author of Narrating the Law: A Poetics of Talmudic Legal Stories.

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-339: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

The Talmud is one of the most important works of Jewish literature. For the last millennium, Talmud study has been a central part of Jewish religious and cultural practice. Despite the splintering of Judaism into different denominations, Jews the world over are unified by their commitment to studying Talmud. The Talmud is an unusual work of literature, and it has been credited as an influence on codes of law, sermons, modern works of Jewish literature, and even Seinfeld. This course will explain the Talmud's import and durability within Jewish culture while introducing students to the rigors of legal analysis that lie at the heart of most talmudic passages. The course is ideal for those interested in religion, law, logic games and questions of textual interpretation. The course will study the Talmud entirely in English translation; there is neither a language prerequisite nor an expectation of prior experience reading the Talmud. The course counts toward Religion, Law and Politics (RLP) religious studies major concentration.

Learning Objectives

• Reading and comprehending any passage of the Talmud (in translation). • Ancient Jewish history • Overview of Jewish ideas • Thinking like a lawyer • Critical reading

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
SoC Additional Distro