REL 211 Early Judaism
 
 
 
Course Description  In this course we will study the history and literature, and cultural and religious life of Jews from the Biblical period to the completion of the Babylonian Talmud and the triumph of rabbinic Judaism (roughly until the 7th c. CE). We will survey the foundational biblical heritage, with an emphasis on how these traditions are reinterpreted as Jews adapt to new settings. Attention will be paid to key institutions and ideas as well as rituals and social and family life.  Course Requirements  1. Required Reading : There will be an emphasis on reading primary sources in translation. Tests will be based on readings as well as lectures. The required textbooks will be available at the University Bookstore. • On-line readings: For each lecture, the primary sources are available on the web-site: click on the underlined links. Read these carefully before the class period for which they are assigned and be prepared to discuss them. • Lawrence Schiffman, From Text to Tradition: A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism (KTAV) • Eli Barnavi, Historical Atlas of the Jewish People (Schocken, 2003; ISBN 9780805242263) Out of print: on reserve at the Knight Library • There is a packet of charts you will also need: These will be available on blackboard. Download and bring to classes. • Items on Electronic Reserve as assigned: go to UO Library Reserve web page (from library catalog press Course Reserves); search by instructor or course; there will be an index for E-reserves.  For assignments and Course Policies, see syllabus handed out in class.  Course Calendar    COURSE OUTLINE 9/27 Ancient Israel and Judaism Blackboard chart: “Ancient Judaism" 9/29 The Biblical Story 
Read: Atlas vi-xiii, 2-21; Read: on-line: Biblical Story 
Blackboard chart; "Kings of Israel" chart (2 pages) 10/1 Biblical Heritage: Symbols, Institutions, Religious and Social Life
Read: Schiffman 1-32; on-line: Heritage 10/4 “By the Rivers of Babylon”: Exile and Restoration
Read Atlas 22-33; on-line: Exile 10/6 The Road to Zion: The Early Return Read: on-line: Persian; Read: Schiffman 33-47
Blackboard chart: "Persian Period" 10/8 Foundations of Torah Judaism
Read: on-line: Torah; Read: Schiffman 47-59 10/11 “You Shall Have No Part”: Identity and Conflict in the Persian Period Read: on-line: Identity; Read: Esther (http://wap.bible.org/netbible/) 10/13 Crisis: Jews in the Hellenistic World 
Read: Atlas 34-41; Read: on-line: Hellenism ; Read Schiffman 60-72
Blackboard chart: "Hellenistic Period" 10/15 Jewish Identity and Diaspora
Read: on-line: Diaspora; Read Schiffman: 80-97, 120-138 
Blackboard chart: "Assimilation and Accommodation" 10/18 The Maccabean Revolt
Read Atlas 42-45; Read on-line: Maccabees ; Read Schiffman 72-79
Download and bring: "Hasmonean Dynasty" 10/20 The Hasmonean Dynasty 10/22 Sectarianism: 
Samaritans; Pharisees and Sadducees; Apocalyptics and Ascetics
Read Atlas 46-47; Schiffman 98-119; on-line: Sects
 10/25 Sectarianism: Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls 10/27 Roman Conquest; Herodian Rule 
Read Atlas 48-51; Schiffman 139-149;  on-line: Romans
 10/29 MIDTERM EXAM 11/1 Jesus and his followers
Read: Atlas 54-55; Schiffman 149-52; on-line: Jesus 11/3 The Jewish-Christian Schism
Read Schiffman 152-6; on-line: christians 11/5 Revolt and Reconstruction
Read: Atlas 52-3, 60-61; Schiffman 157-64; Online: on-line: revolt   11/8 Academy and Synagogue
Read Atlas 56-59; Schiffman 164-76; on-line: academy 1.1-1.4 11/10 Rabbinic Literature and Thought: Mishnah
Read Atlas 62-5; Schiffman 177-200; on-line: rabbis1
Blackboard chart: Mishnah
Read e-reserve: Holtz 129-75 11/12 Rabbinic Literature and Thought: Torah Read on-line: Rabbinic Torah 1.5-1.6 11/15 Rabbinic Literature and Thought: Talmud
Read e-reserve: Holtz 177-211 11/17 Rabbinic Literature and Thought: Midrash
Read Schiffman 201-39; on-line: rabbis2
Read e-reserve: Holtz 177-211 11/19 TBA: Professor away at conference 11/22 TBA: Professor away at conference 11/24 Worship of God
Read:  Atlas 72-3; Schiffman 240-55; on-line: worship Blackboard charts: Shema, Amidah, Merkabah Mysticism 11/26 THANKSGIVING: NO CLASS 11/29 The Mystical Tradition
Read: on-line: mysticism 
Blackboard chart: Merkabah Mysticism 12/1 Jewish Life: Institutions; Family
Read Atlas 66-7; Schiffman 255-65; on-line: life ;  
Read on Electronic Reserve:
-Ross Kraemer, "Jewish Women in the Diaspora World"; 
-Judith Wegner, "The Image and Status of Women in Classical Rabbinic Judaism"
(go to http://libweb.uoregon.edu/acs_svc/reserve-index.html ; search under Falk or course number (REL 211); the articles are listed under REL 211 readings.) 12/3 Jews in a Christian World: Triumph of the Rabbis Read Atlas 68-71, 74-77; Schiffman 266-69 12/9 Final Examination: 10:15 am http://libweb.uoregon.edu/%7Eacs/reserve-index.htmlhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/biblical_story_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/heritage_fr.htmhttp://uoregon.edu/~dfalk/courses/ejud/exile_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/persian_fr.htmhttp://uoregon.edu/~dfalk/courses/ejud/torah_fr.htmhttp://uoregon.edu/~dfalk/courses/ejud/identity_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/hellenism_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/diaspora_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/maccabees_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/sects_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/romans_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/jesus_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/christians_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/revolt_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/academy_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/rabbis1_fr.htmhttp://uoregon.edu/~dfalk/courses/ejud/rabTorah_fr.htmhttp://uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/rabbis2_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/worship_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/mysticism_fr.htmhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Edfalk/courses/ejud/life_fr.htmhttp://libweb.uoregon.edu/acs_svc/reserve-index.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5shapeimage_2_link_6shapeimage_2_link_7shapeimage_2_link_8shapeimage_2_link_9shapeimage_2_link_10shapeimage_2_link_11shapeimage_2_link_12shapeimage_2_link_13shapeimage_2_link_14shapeimage_2_link_15shapeimage_2_link_16shapeimage_2_link_17shapeimage_2_link_18shapeimage_2_link_19shapeimage_2_link_20shapeimage_2_link_21shapeimage_2_link_22
Fall 2010
 
 12:00-12:50 MWF
240A MCK
 
Dr. Daniel Falk
Office hours: 
M 3-4 pm; W 1-2:30 pm
or by appointment
814 PLC;
tel. 346-4980,
dfalk@uoregon.edu