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Mercaz HaTorah | Evaluated Learning Experience

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Bible 201 - Advanced Studies in the Pentateuch (B201)

Formerly Advanced Studies in the Pentateuch and Midrashic Literature (B201)
Course Category: 
Foundation Courses - Mercaz HaTorah
Length: 

Version 1 or 2: 50 hours (40 weeks).

Location: 
Mercaz HaTorah, Talpiot, Jerusalem, Israel.
Dates: 

Version 1: August 1991 - July 2003. Version 2: August 2003 - Present.

Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: discuss the major themes of the Biblical narrative; apply techniques of approaching Hermeneutic texts related to the Bible; and extract philosophical and moral insights contained in the Midrash relating to the Biblical text. Version 2: Students will be able to: discuss the major themes of the Biblical narrative and legal texts; apply interpretive techniques to Biblical texts utilizing medieval and modern Biblical commentaries; and extract moral, ethical and theological insights from the Biblical text and its commentaries.  

Instruction: 

Version 1: This course continues from Bible 101 with specific focus on Midrashic (Hermeneutical) texts. It is a year-long study of the five books of Moses (Pentateuch) and the Midrashic literature guided by classical commentaries. Topics include Creation, early man, the Deluge, Noachide history and code, the early history of the Patriarchs, Redemption and the Decalogue, Leviticus, concepts of holiness, holiday cycle, historical elements of the sojourn in the desert, Deuteronomy, historical narrative, and legal and judicial institutions. Version 2: This course continues from Bible 101 with specific focus on medieval and modern Biblical commentaries. A year-long study of the Pentateuch guided by classical commentaries. Topics include: Creation; early man; the Deluge; Noachide history and the Noachide code; the history of the Patriarchs; slavery in Egypt and redemption; Theophany and the Decalogue; Leviticus and concepts of holiness; the holiday cycle; historical elements of the sojourn in the desert; the book of Deuteronomy and its historical, narrative, and legal and judicial institutions.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1 and 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (4/94) (5/99 revalidation) (7/01 revalidation) (8/08 revalidation) (11/14 revalidation) (12/19 revalidation). 

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