Fall 2005

J S 361 • Aggadah: Legends of The Jews

Course Description

"Aggadah" ( or Haggadah) is the portion of rabbinic teaching that is not defined as "Halakhah," or concerned with Jewish Law. The Aggadah is often an amplification of portions of the Bible which include narrative, history, legends, ethical teachings, and consolations and reproofs of the prophets. There is, however, a constant reciprocity between Aggadah and Halakhah, both of which being part of the oral law, although the sages stated that "no Halakhah may be derived from Aggadot." Our main text will be the collection edited by H.N. Bialik "Sefer Ha-Aggadah", or "The Book of Legends", along with readings in the original texts in the Talmud and Midrashim.&..

Grading Policy

Grading will be based mainly on assigned readings, class discussion, reports and a term paper.

back