Explores the relationship between Jews and Christians in a variety of historical, social and political contexts, concentrating upon the last century. Talmud Bavli Sukkah 2a-5a. Special emphasis is placed on reading and analysing primary sources in English translation, especially from the Zohar. The course also considers the origins of mysticism and its importance in the historical development of Judaism. Study of the text raises general questions as to the nature of the rules of Biblical Law, and of the forms of dispute resolution implied by them.
Emphasis is placed on the reading and discussion of primary sources in translation.
It concludes with the holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel, modern science and feminism. This course provides an opportunity for in-depth study of one aspect of the Dead Sea Scrolls, selected by each participant at the start of the semester. The focus is the Jewish State and its identity as revealed by material remains studied alongside written sources.