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Mikra V’Aggadah

Description

This three year course of study is drawn from the vast field of sacred Jewish narratives, allowing our students to learn the foundational stories of the Jewish people and the way Judaism’s meaning grows out of its ways of reading and telling.

Mikra 9:  Introduction to Genesis

Students survey Genesis in its entirety, briefly summarizing its narrative arc so that they gain an understanding of its scope and focus: God’s creation of the world and engagement with all of human kind, the narratives of the patriarchal families and the ongoing struggle to receive and transmit the divine blessing and covenant.  Students learn how to read the book of Genesis using rabbinic midrashim, classical and modern commentaries, and the tools of literary criticism. Students also will develop familiarity with the distinct approaches of p’shat (simple, obvious) and d’rash (deeper analysis). The map of the Ancient Near East and the history of the Biblical period will be taught to elucidate the Genesis narratives. Students will be encouraged to develop their own personal interpretations of Torah.

Mikra 10: Introduction to Exodus and Numbers

Students will study the books of Exodus and Numbers: the national narrative, including slavery and the Exodus, the desert period of covenant, kedushah and complaint, and anticipating the land of Israel. Using midrashim, classical and modern commentaries, and literary analysis students will attempt to understand the motivation, thoughts, fears, and achievements of Moses and the Israelites. Selected passages will become a springboard for discussions on slavery, authority, leadership, populism and civil disobedience.

Mikra 11:  Prophets and Social Justice

The students will study the establishment of the monarchy as envisioned in Deuteronomy. They will examine some of the foundational Jewish concepts articulated by the Prophets and their vision for social justice. This course will include an examination of the far-reaching influence of the prophetic idea in Jewish society and the world.