Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation

Faculty

Professors
Alan Cooper, Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages
Benjamin D. Sommer, Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages
Burton L. Visotzky, Talmud and Rabbinics, Program Adviser

Program

The program in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation is interdisciplinary, designed to enable students to gain expertise in the broad varieties of rabbinic biblical exegesis and rabbinic narrative. Students are exposed to critical study of the Bible and rabbinic literature; current methodologies in the study of Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation; and appropriate cognate literatures. Background is offered in the social history of late antiquity through the medieval period. A concentration in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation focuses on exegesis of biblical and rabbinic texts from the second century through the medieval period. Students must choose a concentration in either Midrash or medieval Bible exegesis and focus course work and comprehensive examinations accordingly.

The program emphasizes acquisition of critical methodologies current in the study of Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation. To that end, students learn historical-critical techniques such as philology and historiography. At the same time, a focus is given to rabbinic narrative. Students learn modern and postmodern literary theories, as well as feminist and gender readings.

All texts are studied in their original languages and students are expected to develop fluency in those languages as well as competence in cognate languages. Graduates of the various programs teach at universities throughout North America, Europe, and Israel.

PhD student Yedida Eisenstat discusses the concentration in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation:

Degrees

Fall 2010–Spring 2011 Courses