Jewish Studies 219 - Midrash: The World of Rabbinic Interpretation

This course explores the world of midrash, a genre of rabbinic biblical interpretation. In this course, we will define the word midrash, speculate about the origins of midrash, and learn about various midrashic genres and techniques. We will see how the creation of midrash allowed the rabbis explore vital moral, theological, and literary concerns in daring and imaginative ways. Ultimately, our study will show how the rabbis transformed their Bible, the TaNaKh, into a living document that had continued relevance in their own times and which continues to be relevant today. (E)