Drought, famine, established powers on the edge of collapse, mass migrations from failed states to other countries: you may be thinking of the Middle East in 2022. Try 1180 BCE! 

In partnership with Cong. Beth Israel

In partnership with Americans for Ben-Gurion University

Jody Hirsh: Bible, Midrash, Art: The Richness of Bible Narratives (Virtual on Zoom)

Jody Hirsh: Bible, Midrash, Art: The Richness of Bible Narratives (Virtual on Zoom)

Abimelech in the Book of Judges is a true (if illegitimate) son of the legendary Gideon: clever, murderous, and vengeful. Although he ultimately lacks his father’s good luck, he packs more back-stabbing punch in his brief career than most any other Biblical character. The story of Abimelech is also spiced with poetic propaganda, an array of dubious friends and enemies, and a comical (as well as didactic) ending that really underlines the disastrous (and entertaining) chaos of the age of Judges 3000 years ago. Students will receive a rich visual introduction to the era of Judges as well as extensive notes to assist in translation.

3 sessions

Apparently uncomfortable with various portions of the Torah, the rabbis provide interpretations that tend to neutralize the troubling aspects of those texts.  In this class, we will engage in close readings of texts from the Torah and corresponding Talmudic passages.

In partnership with Temple Isaiah, Temple Sinai and Congregation Beth El

Qohelet (or Kohellet, Ecclesiastes) is one of the strangest and most revolutionary books of the Hebrew Bible. We will explore its poetry and philosophy in the context of biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature.

Presented by The Herman P. and Sophia Taubman Chair in Jewish Studies in partnership with the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, and the Jewish studies program at UC Berkeley