The earliest evidence for the existence of the Jewish synagogue stems from the third century BCE, but most evidence, both literary and epigraphical, comes from a much later age. Many scholars discussing the form and nature of the synagogue in the first centuries of its existence nonetheless use the later data for their reconstructions of the early history. The dangers of such an approach are clear: in this way, elements from a particular form of the synagogue are projected into the remote past, and the historical stages that must have preceded the fully developed synagogue are obscured. In this course, therefore, we shall collect and interpret the available evidence for the Jewish synagogue before the beginning of the common era. Evidence from a later period will be categorically excluded to prevent anachronisms as much as possible. In this way, we may hope to get a clearer, or at least more trustworthy view on the early history of the synagogue.
Objectives
Seminar Overview and Assignments
*Weekly meetings (12 × 2 hrs): 24 hrs *Weekly reading assignments (12 × 4 hrs): 36 hrs *Presentation: 20 hrs *Paper: 40 hrs *Participation in graduate seminar Judaica: 20 hrs
Total: 140 hrs
Required reading
To be announced in class
Admission
In addition to the general rules set out for admission to the master program students are required to possess a good knowledge of Greek and some familiarity with Biblical, especially New Testament, literature and history.
Comments
Minimum number of participants 3.