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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Yeshivas Toras Moshe | Evaluated Learning Experience

Talmud Bava Metzia II (Talmud 153b, 253b, 353b, 453b)

Formerly: 
Talmud Bava Metzia II [Talmud 130, 230, 330, 430]
Length: 
81 hours (26 weeks); in addition, 312 hours of supervised peer study.
Location: 
Toras Moshe, Jerusalem, Israel.
Dates: 
August 1997 - June 2005.
Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Talmud 153b: Students will be able to: discuss the substance and essence of the talmudic text of the sixth and the first half of the ninth chapters of Bava Metzia; apply analytical skills in talmudic explication; follow the dynamics of talmudic argumentation leading to halakhic conclusions and resolutions, focusing primarily on the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafos, utilize the major medieval, modern, and contemporary commentaries to comprehend the underlying assumptions and consequences of the legal principles implicit in the text. Talmud 253b or 353b: In addition to the above outcomes, students will be able to utilize in a more complete fashion the full range of commentaries in the understanding of the text. Talmud 453b: In addition to the above outcomes, students will be able to analyze the abstract legal concepts implicit in the talmudic text and its commentaries and formulate abstract legal categories based on the talmudic text.

Instruction: 

Talmud 153b: Major topics include: the sixth and the first half of the ninth chapters of Bava Metzia, dealing primarily with the laws pertaining to workmen who are simultaneously bailees and the liability of sharecroppers, are addressed. Students prepare the applicable talmudic texts as well as the major halakhic opinions of various rishonim and acharonim, including Rashi, Tosafos, and the other commentaries as assigned by the instructor. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised, and assists them in deducing and elucidating the crux of these issues. Instruction includes, but is not limited to, discussion of the major relevant halakhic topics. Talmud 253b or 353b: In addition to the above, students are introduced to techniques in advanced conceptualization of talmudic text and commentaries. Talmud 453b: In addition to the above, students are  expected to achieve proficiency in techniques of advanced conceptualization of talmudic text and commentaries. Topics include: laws governing terms of payment of day laborers; premature termination of employment contract; workman's liability for objects taken as part of their employment; liability of tradesman; liability for loss of collateral security; liabilities of finders of lost property; liability for all forms of accidental damage; way one must act beyond the requirements of the law; obligations of sharecroppers and landowners; obligations of people who rent agricultural land with various arrangements; obligations of members of community in joint ventures; and laws of bar metzra. NOTE: Students in all four courses study the same course materials. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study and nature of analysis depends upon which course the student is enrolled in.

Credit recommendation: 

Talmud 153b: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 5 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion. Talmud 253b or 353b: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 5 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion. Talmud 453b: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 5 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion or in the graduate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (1/00). NOTE: Credit should only be awarded once for Talmud 153b, 253b, 353b, or 453b at the undergraduate degree level; however, credit can be awarded for Talmud 153b, 253b, or 353b at the undergraduate degree level and Talmud 453b at the graduate degree level.

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