The Talmud is one of the richest and most complicated works of literature the world has ever known. Since being composed around 1500 years ago it has inspired not only religious reverence but significant intellectual engagement. In this course learners will be introduced to the unique characteristics of this text and the challenges that inhere in studying it while studying a chapter of the Talmud. Students of the course can expect to develop an appreciation for how the Talmud works and why it continues to inspire religious and intellectual devotion. They will be challenged to employ critical reading skills and to analyze legal and historical concepts.
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The Talmud: A Methodological Introduction
Northwestern University
About this Course
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Approx. 13 hours to complete
Suggested: 8 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English, Romanian
Offered by
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Introducing the Talmud
The Talmud is a canonical work of Jewish literature that collects the ideas and arguments of rabbis who lived between the first and eighth centuries CE. This module explains the basics of how the Talmud was composed, why the Talmud matters and how it is accessed today.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 33 min), 9 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Video 1 Why Study Talmud?5m
Video 2 Where Does the Talmud Come From?5m
Video 3 How the Talmud Works-An Overview6m
Video 4 The Talmud's Interpreters11m
9 readings
Meet Your Professors10m
Grading & Logistics10m
Additional Resources10m
Special Thanks & Permissions10m
Full Glossary10m
Module 1 Glossary10m
Module 1 Rabbi Genealogy & Maps10m
Video 2 Texts & Translations10m
Video 3 Texts & Translations10m
1 practice exercise
Module 1 Quiz12m
2 hours to complete
False Testimony From Bible to Rabbis
The Talmud relies heavily on the authority and substance of its canonical predecessor, the Hebrew Bible. This module charts a trajectory from the biblical origins of the treatment of false testimony in Deuteronomy through its treatment within the second temple apocryphal book Susannah and the early Rabbinic law code, the Mishnah.
2 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 31 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
4 videos
Video 6 Evolution of Testimony Scenarios in Biblical, Second Temple and Rabbinic Literature8m
Video 7 Overview of Mishnah - What it is and how it works6m
Video 8 How Was the Mishnah Organized8m
5 readings
Module 2 Glossary10m
Video 5 Text & Translations10m
Video 6 Texts & Translations10m
Video 7 Texts & Translations10m
Video 8 Texts & Translations10m
1 practice exercise
Module 2 Quiz12m
1 hour to complete
Reading the Bible & Rabbinic Logic
Interpretation is a major component of Rabbinic literature and the Talmud. This module introduces the specific features of Rabbinic interpretation of the Hebrew Bible—its assumptions and its reading tools.
1 hour to complete
3 videos (Total 28 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
3 videos
Video 10 Using Logic in Reading Critically7m
Video 11 Reading the Bible Like a Rabbi9m
4 readings
Video 9 Texts & Translations10m
Module 3 Glossary10m
Video 10 Texts & Translations10m
Video 11 Texts & Translations10m
1 practice exercise
Module 3 Quiz10m
1 hour to complete
Redaction & Textual Witnesses
Textual Criticism is a form of reading that looks to explain the meaning of a text by figuring out aspects of its composition history. This module will show how Talmudic passages are typically constructed and what scholars can do to figure out the original meaning of a text.
1 hour to complete
3 videos (Total 26 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
3 videos
Video 13 How Loyally Were Materials Transmitted7m
Video 14 How Redactors Built a Talmudic Passage7m
4 readings
Video12 Texts & Translations10m
Module 4 Glossary10m
Video 13 Texts & Translations10m
Video 14 Texts & Translations10m
1 practice exercise
Module 4 Quiz8m
Reviews
4.6
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE TALMUD: A METHODOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION
by APFeb 17, 2019
Great way of introducing a topic as complex as the Talmud. It was surely amazing to have such course instructors who can rarely be matched both in eloquence and erudition. Overall it was fun!
by KRJan 19, 2017
Best course I've experienced on Coursera so far! Really engaging and not 'dumbed down'. Fantastic and charismatic professor and assistant. Already recommended the course to many friends.
by BLJan 7, 2017
This course is both a traditional and non-traditional Talmud course. The non-traditional gives a historic prospective of the basis of Talmud with a modern view of its derivation.
by CWAug 28, 2017
This is a very well constructed introduction to the Talmud but I think it would be improved if it made more demands on the student in terms of reading assignments and exercises.
by JLApr 28, 2019
Very interesting peek into the world of Talmud (and interesting to this non-Jewish student). I like that the Hebrew-reading student can access the original texts too.
by SOFeb 23, 2020
Thank you for the clear instruction about a difficult topic of study. I marvel at the Talmud and the Rabbis who contributed to the wisdom contained within.
by TPMay 20, 2016
An outstanding look into the complexities and nuances of the the Talmud. Well-taught, thought-provoking, interesting...
by JRAug 23, 2017
Now I can read the Talmud and understand the discussions presented in light of the explanations given in the course.
by ABSep 17, 2016
very interesting, challenging, but I find it hard to understand the intonation (highs and lows) of the ph
by JQApr 19, 2016
Nice course. I had no understanding of this part of Judism at all and the course really helped me.
by MNFeb 5, 2020
Very informative yet good for beginners! I hope you two do more courses on the Talmud :)
by ASAug 4, 2019
No problem with the course actually. Experienced several technical problems, however.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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