RAB 6001 Talmud I
The Babylonian Talmud traditionally has been the text most studied by rabbinic Jews (much more so than the Tanakh or even the Torah): its study has constituted the substance of talmud torah. It is also probably the most difficult and intricate Jewish text ever composed, hence its aura of elitist mastery. This course aims to de-mystify the Talmud for you (as much as possible) by giving you the tools to work through a talmudic sugya (section/unit) with confidence (and a lot of outlining!). In our text-study, we will point out and analyze characteristic structures of rabbinic argumentation, logic, and sugya-construction, paying close attention to the rhetorical properties of the texts, including technical, formulaic vocabulary and phrases, and typical argumentative patterns. We will also relate the talmudic discussions and issues to their historical, cultural, and religious contexts, as well as exploring connections between talmudic texts and contemporary Jewish practice and concerns today. (The texts selected for study have immediate practical import.) Students will additionally become familiar with some bibliographical tools, and major interpretive secondary literature.