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Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature PREMIUMPREMIUM TORAHTORAH COLLEGECOLLEGE PROGRAMSPROGRAMSTaTa l l Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature February 2019 Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature An Overview of Key Works in Jewish Tradition —Study Guide— The objective of the elementary Jewish Literature examination is that you acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the classic works in Jewish tradition, from the giving of the Torah until recent history. You will learn fundamental information about these works such as who wrote them and what subject matter they cover. The following areas are included: 1. The Written Torah — theChumash , the Prophets (the Nevi’im Rishonim and Acharonim), and the Sacred Writings (the Kesuvim) 2. The Oral Torah — the Mishnah, Gemara, and Midrash 3. The writings of the Geonim, Rishonim, and Achronim The elementary Jewish Literature examination is based on information from three texts. a. The Foundation of Judaism by Rabbi Akiva Aaronson (2000), second edition, published by Targum Press, Inc. [ISBN 1-56871-108-5]. b. The Living Nach — Early Prophets, Later Prophets, Sacred Writings [in three volumes] (1994-1998), published by Moznaim Publishing Corporation, [ISBN 0-940118-29-7, 1-885220-07-3, 1-885220-22-7]. c. Judaica Books of the Prophets (1976-1985) [in 15 volumes], published by The Judaica Press Inc. This Study Guide is the property of TAL and MUST be returned after you take the exam. Failure to do so is an aveirah of gezel. JewishLiteratureSP v02.indd © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature The examination contains two sections: I. Multiple Choice 60 compulsory multiple choice questions II. Short Answers A choice of 15 out of 18 short answer questions Note: The answers that you give must be found in the syllabus. There may be other correct answers to a question, but they do not receive credit on the examination. In this Study Guide you will find: • The syllabus outline for the elementary Jewish Literature examination (page 4). • A sample examination for you to try (page 26). Please utilize the sample to familiarize yourself with the type of questions that will be asked, and for guidance as to how to answer them. NOTES: a. Since you are required to answer in black ink, be sure to bring a black pen to your exam. b. Accustom yourself to outlining your answers on scrap paper and writing essays clearly. Illegible exams will not be graded. c. The lowest passing score on this exam is 70. You will not get credit for a score below 70, though in the case of a failed or illegible paper, you may be able to retake the exam after waiting six months. Grades for transcripts are calculated as follows: A = 90–100% B = 80–89% C = 70–79% JewishLiteratureSP v02.indd Page 3 of 32 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature Elementary Jewish Literature —Syllabus— To prepare for the elementary Jewish Literature examination, study from the following three TAL Readers: 1. The Foundation of Judaism Reader This reader is a selection of material from The Foundation of Judaism by Rabbi Akiva Aaronson: Chapters 2, 5 and 6, and the Bibliographies, in full or in part. 2. The Living Nach Reader This reader is a selection of material from The Living Nach — the introductions to each one of the Books of Nach, in part or in full. 3. The Judaica Books Reader This reader is a selection of material from The Judaica Books of the Prophets — the preface or introduction to the following Books of Nach, in part or in full: the Book of Joshua (Yehoshua); the Book of Judges (Shoftim), the Book of Samuel, Vol. 1 (Shmuel I), and Vol. 2 (Shmuel II); the Book of Kings, Vol. 1 (Melachim I), and Vol. 2 (Melachim II); the Book of Isaiah, Vol. 1 (Yeshayahu); the Book of Jeremiah, Vol. 1 (Yirmiyahu); the Book of Ezekiel, Vol. 1 (Yechezkel); the Book of Twelve Prophets (Trei Asar), Vol. 1; the Book of Proverbs (Mishlei); the Book of Job (Iyov); the Books of Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah (Daniel, Ezra, Nechemiah); and the Book of Chronicles, Vol. 1 (Divrei Hayamim). You are expected to read through all three TAL Readers and remember the key ideas, but you are not responsible to know every detail. Exam questions will be drawn only from the information needed to answer the study questions listed below. You will not be tested on any information found in the footnotes of the readers unless referred to by a study question. JewishLiteratureSP v02.indd Page 4 of 32 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature 1. The Foundation of Judaism Reader Tips for studying: • Focus on the Jewish texts (seforim) that are discussed: their basic contents, by whom they were written and when, and some basic information about the authors, as detailed in the study questions below. • Since a large portion of Jewish literature comprises the Oral Torah, you are expected to know key events related to the chain of transmission of the Torah, such as its transmission from Yehoshua to the Elders, as detailed in the study questions below. Page Topic Chapter 2: Basic Jewish History Note: Much of the material in this chapter will be expanded upon in later chapters and on the readings on Nach. 1-2 3. Entry and Conquest of the Land. The First Beis Hamikdash Entry into Eretz Yisrael • Who led the nation after the passing of Yehoshua? What was this period known as? See footnote 2. • Who succeeded the Elders, and transmitted the Oral Torah through their generations? What determined whether prophecies were written down in the Books of the Prophets (Nevi’im)? • Who anointed Kings Shaul and Dovid Hamelech? (Also see next section.) • Why did Shaul Hamelech lose the throne? See footnote 4. 2-3 Dovid Hamelech – King David (Also see readings on Sefer Melachim) • How did Dovid Hamelech contribute to the building of the Beis Hamikdash? • Under which king was the Beis Hamikdash constructed and dedicated? • How was the kingdom of Yisrael divided up during king Rechavam’s reign? • What happened to the northern kingdom? JewishLiteratureSP v02.indd Page 5 of 32 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature Page Topic 3-4 4. Galus Bavel. The Second Beis Hamikdash • What happened to the southern kingdom? • On what day of the month was the Beis Hamikdash destroyed? • What happened to the Jews, and to the holy vessels? • Which empire succeeded the Babylonian empire? 4-5 The Miracle of Purim • Why did Achashveirosh have a huge feast in the third year of his reign? • Which Megillah discusses the events of this period? 5 The Second Beis Hamikdash • Why did ru’ach hanevu’ah disappear at this time? (To clarify: This was to compensate for and “balance” the removal of the desire for idol worship. For more on this subject, see the Judaica Books Reader, page 16.) • Who led the Jewish people during this time? 5 The Fall of the Persian Empire This section is not on the syllabus. 6-7 5. Galus Edom • Why did R’ Yehudah Hanasi and the Sages decide to write down the Mishnah? • Who led the compilation of the Talmud Bavli? • What is the Talmud Yerushalmi? 7-10 The Last Twelve hundred Years • Where did the Sephardi communities live? • Where did the Ashkenazi communities live? • In which region did the Baal Shem Tov live? How did he affect Eastern European Jewry? Who were some of his talmidim, the great leaders of Chassidus? (See footnote 25.) • What standing did Spain have in the Sephardi world, and how did that glorious era end? (Refer to footnote 28.) JewishLiteratureSP v02.indd Page 6 of 32 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature Chapter 5: Introduction to Torah 11-12 1. Written Torah • What is included in the Written Torah? (Note: The Written Torah was later extended, as explained in section 3 below.) • By what other names are the first five books known? • How many parshiyos are there in the Torah? • What are the names of most of the parshiyos of the Torah? 2. Oral Torah • What is the Oral Torah? • Why is the Oral Torah called by this name? • What two parts of the Oral Torah comprise the Talmud? 12-13 3. Extension to Written Torah Nevi’im • Which period of Jewish history is related in Nevi’im Rishonim? • What are the Nevi’im Achronim about? Approximately what period do they cover? 13-14 Kesuvim • Which period of Jewish history is related in the Kesuvim? • What do the words “Nach” and “Tanach” refer to? • Which Books and Megillos make up the Nevi’im Rishonim, the Nevi’im Achronim, and the Kesuvim? 15 The Principal Authors of the Books of Nach You are required to know who authored each Book of Nach, as detailed in the study questions below and the study questions on the Living Nach Reader and the Judaica Books Reader. This table only lists the principal authors. More details appear in the Outline that follows and in the Living Nach Reader and the Judaica Books Reader. JewishLiteratureSP v02.indd Page 7 of 32 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Introduction to the History of Jewish Literature Page Topic 16 Outline of the Books of Nach (Note: It is recommended that you refer back to the material presented here when you study the Living Nach Reader and the Judaica Books Reader.) The Early Prophets • What are the key events of Sefer Yehoshua? • What period of leadership does Sefer Shoftim describe? • What are some key events in Sefer Shmuel? Who wrote it? • What are some key events in Sefer Melachim?
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