RAB 533 A Study of the Narrative Midrashim
The purpose of this course is twofold. First, to provide the student with the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the style of Narrative Midrashim. We will analyze selected passages from several works of this genre of Midrash, including Pirqei d'Rabbi Eliezer, Sefer ha-Yashar and Midrash Petriat Aharon. We will also read and discuss some of the key secondary works which deal with the questions pertaining to this genre and these volumes. Second, we will also focus upon how Narrative Midrashim enable the reader to engage serious questions of personal meaning and belief since they often deal with human relationships.