This course introduces participants to the rich and diverse world of ancient Jewish biblical exegesis—traditions and texts often overlooked in conventional study settings. We will explore a variety of lesser-known interpretive sources, including the Apocrypha, Jewish Hellenistic literature, ancient translations, early poetic traditions, as well as the systems of biblical vowels and cantillation marks.
Each session will focus on a distinct type of source, highlighting its unique contribution to the understanding of the weekly Parasha.
Dr. Chanan Gafni teaches at the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. After receiving his Ph. D. from Harvard University in 2005 he studied as a postdoctoral fellow at the Kreitman School of Advanced Graduate Studies of Ben-Gurion University.
