14 courses with the subject RAB, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
RAB 100Introduction to Mishnah2
Rabbi Joshua Cahan, PhD This course will introduce students to the study of Mishnah, its historical context, and its place in rabbinic literature. Over the course of the trimester, students will gain greater familiarity with the Rabbinic Hebrew of the Mishnah and its idiom, as well the style and structure of the text. Additionally, we will explore the background for the development of the Mishnah, and its reception history as part of the classical rabbinic corpus. Students in this course must be at the level of HEB 350 (Hebrew 2A) or above. Textbooks: TBD
RAB 110Introduction to Midrash - 2 sections, register for only one2
Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD and Rabbi Iscah Waldman In this introductory class, we will examine the forms, methods and vocabulary of rabbinic midrash and explore the function that midrash plays in rabbinic interpretation of Torah. We will learn some basic midrashic strategies, and become familiar with a variety of midrashic collections from the talmudic to the medieval period. This is a text-based class and we will spend time during each session reading midrashim in Hebrew to improve our fluency. Last offered Summer 2024; offered periodically Required Textbooks: A Tanakh (any version)
Rabbi Jeff Hoffman, DHL In this first trimester of Talmud study, the emphasis will be on learning the kind of talmudic logic employed in the legal arguments, especially the kushia -contradiction (objection) and the terutz (resolution). While the passages studied will be in parallel English/Hebrew-Aramaic columns from Sefaria, most of the passages will be studied in English in order to facilitate learning the challenging logic of talmudic discourse. Nevertheless, students will learn key technical terms in the original Aramaic. Once students learn the basics of talmudic logic in this first trimester of Introduction to Talmud, the second trimester will introduce additional elements of talmudic study and passages will be studied in their original Hebrew and Aramaic. The Havruta session is required of all students. Required Texts: 1. Jastrow, Marcus Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi and Midrashic Literature , Amazon $44.95 ISBN 1932443207 2. Frank, Yitzhak The Practical Talmud Dictionary , Amazon $23.49 ISBN 1592644511
Rabbi Jeff Hoffman, DHL In this second half of the two-trimester Introduction to Talmud course, students will continue to develop their skills in decoding the dialectic of the talmudic discourse. This term, the text will be studied in its original languages. Students will prepare the Steinsaltz commentary (Hebrew) with the help of vocabulary sheets provided by the instructor. Modern critical methodologies of Talmud study - identifying the three layers of Tannaitic, Amoraic , and Stam material - will be introduced. Study of basic Aramaic terms and Talmudic organic logic will resume. The content will be the various halakhic and theological approaches to the Amidah found in Tractate Berakhot , chapter 4. Last offered Summer 2025; typically offered every 3 terms The Thursday morning havruta section is required of all students in this class. Required Textbooks: Steinsaltz Talmud, volume 1, Berakhot . This is the all-Hebrew edition of the Steinsaltz Talmud. Copies of the textbook from previous trimesters of this course will not be helpful; that edition is quickly going out of print. The best way to order it is through Koren Publishers. Sometimes students have tried to order through other outlets and occasionally the book was shipped literally via ship from Israel and took months to arrive. The following link will bring you to the exact volume required: https://korenpub.com/products/koren-talmud-berakhothardcover Jastrow, Marcus, A Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi and Midrashic Literature . This book is available in standard, hard-copy form. While it is available for free on Sefaria.org, it is not recommended to use it online as it is much more difficult to find entries online. Frank, Yitzhak, The Practical Talmud Dictionary . While it is available for free (though not on Sefaria.org), it is not recommended to use it online as it is much more difficult to find entries online.
Rabbi Jeff Hoffman DHL Students will continue to work on the skills necessary in decoding the talmudic sugya . These include extensive work on the logic and the literary layers. Students will also continue to learn increase their knowledge of talmudic terminology, vocabulary and grammar. The text will be Tractate Megillah . last offered Spring 2025; typically offered every 3 terms Required textbooks: Steinsaltz, Rabbi din Even-Israel, The Koren Talmud Bavli: Tractate Megilla Mo’ed Katan & Hagiga - Vol. 9 Megilla, Mo’ed Katan & Hagiga, ISBN: 9653014916, Koren Publishers $34.95 - Click here for the direct link to the proper volume on the Koren website. 2. Jastrow, Marcus, A Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi and Midrashic Literature. ISBN: 1932443202. Amazon $44.953. Carmel, Aryeh, Aiding Talmud Study. ISBN: 0873064286 Amazon $17.994. Frank, Rabbi Yitzhak, The Practical Talmud Dictionary (English and Hebrew Edition). ISBN: 1592644511; Amazon $27.85. Recommended Readings: Steinsaltz, Rabbi Adin, A Reference Guide to the Talmud. ISBN: 1592643127. Amazon $38.01 Retter, Daniel, Hamafteach: A-Z: Talmud Bavli Indexed Reference Guide: The R’Moredechai (Marcus) Retter z’l Edition. ISBN: 9653013605 Amazon $34.95 Mielziner, Moses, Introduction to the Talmud. Historical and Literary Introduction ISBN: 1372001499 Amazon $27.90
Rabbi Jeff Hoffman, DHL Students will continue to work on the skills necessary in decoding the talmudic sugya. These include extensive work on the logic and the literary layers. Students will also continue to increase their knowledge of talmudic terminology, vocabulary and grammar. The text will be Tractate Megillah. Textbooks: Steinsaltz, Adin, The Steinsaltz Talmud Bavli - Tractate Ta’anit & Megilla, ISBN: 9653014107, $44.95 Jastrow, Marcus, A Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi and Midrashic Literature, ISBN: 1932443202, $34.58 Frank, Yitzhak, The Practical Talmud Dictionary. ISBN: 1592644511, $28.95 (Available on the DTL)
Two terms of Introduction to Talmud or the equivalent. The Havruta session is required of all students.
RAB 362Widening the Tent: Women in the Torah Explored through Midrash2
Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD Although many biblical women have only a few scenes, the unfolding of rabbinic midrash fills out these characters in wonderful ways. In this class, we will explore women in the Torah through close readings of biblical text and a variety of midrashic interpretations. We’ll consider the role of modern creative interpretation in widening these stories even further, and try our hand at expanding the midrashic tradition ourselves. Required Texts: Bible Summer 2024 / 5784
Introduction to Midrash and Hebrew 251 (HEB 1B) or equivalent
RAB 430Intermediate/Advanced Talmud2
Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD In this course students will continue to hone their abilities to critically read, parse, and understand Talmudic material. This semester will focus on sugyot that address “Big Concepts” such as the problem of evil, the value of martyrdom, and the origins of rabbinic Judaism. We will explore the ways that these sources impact us on a personal and spiritual level, as well as possible pedagogical applications for teaching these sources to others. Last offered Fall 2025; typically offered every 1-2 terms Required Textbooks: None
Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD This course will hone students’ abilities to critically read, parse, and understand Talmudic material that is relevant for understanding contemporary Judaism. This semester will focus on sugyot related to kashrut, which will provide students with a historical and literary understanding of the underpinnings of contemporary kashrut observances. Textbooks: None
