Religious Studies 300 Second Temple Judaism Fall Term 2020 (3 credits; MW 10:05-11:25; Oegema; Zoom & Recorded) Instructor: Prof. Dr. Gerbern S. Oegema Faculty of Religious Studies McGill University 3520 University Street Office hours: by appointment Tel. 398-4126 Fax 398-6665 Email: [email protected] Prerequisite: This course presupposes some basic knowledge typically but not exclusively acquired in any of the introductory courses in Hebrew Bible (The Religion of Ancient Israel; Literature of Ancient Israel 1 or 2; The Bible and Western Culture), New Testament (Jesus of Nazareth, New Testament Studies 1 or 2) or Rabbinic Judaism. Contents: The course is meant for undergraduates, who want to learn more about the history of Ancient Judaism, which roughly dates from 300 BCE to 200 CE. In this period, which is characterized by a growing Greek and Roman influence on the Jewish culture in Palestine and in the Diaspora, the canon of the Hebrew Bible came to a close, the Biblical books were translated into Greek, the Jewish people lost their national independence, and, most important, two new religions came into being: Early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. In the course, which is divided into three modules of each four weeks, we will learn more about the main historical events and the political parties (Hasmonaeans, Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, etc.), the religious and philosophical concepts of the period (Torah, Ethics, Freedom, Political Ideals, Messianic Kingdom, Afterlife, etc.), and the various Torah interpretations of the time. A basic knowledge of this period is therefore essential for a deeper understanding of the formation of the two new religions, Early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism, and for a better understanding of the growing importance, history and Biblical interpretation have had for Ancient Judaism. Method: 1-2 lectures of one hour each per week through Zoom with recordings with 1 hour reading of texts in English, ½-1 hour online work in small groups (total workload 140 hours), as well as occasional class discussions through Zoom with recordings. Books: 1) Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989 (E-book) 2) George W.E. Nickelsburg, Jewish Literature Between the Bible and the Mishnah, Philadelphia: Fortress Press 1981, 2nd print 1987 (E-book) 3) Hartmut Stegemann, The Library of Qumran: On the Essenes, Qumran, John the Baptist and Jesus, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 1998 (E-book) 4) Günter Stemberger, Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992, 2nd print 1996 (E-book) 5) James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 2001 (E-book) Readings: Readings of the essential texts in an English translation for every week will be provided during the course (electronic course pack & e-books). Evaluation: 30% Class participation witnessed through oral contributions and/or attentive listening, as well as questions and answers during and/or emails with instructor and TA during and afterwards. N.B. Participation in small discussion and reading groups is mandatory 20% Online oral presentations, live or recorded (replaces Midterm exam) 50% Final exam: research paper on a subject of own a student’s interest in consultation with the instructor or TA; deadline: December 2nd 2020 Course Outline Introduction Week 1 Sept. 2 First day of class: Introduction Module I: Post Biblical Jewish History Week 2 Sept. 7/9 Jewish History from Ezra to Alexander the Great: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 3 Sept. 14/16 Jewish History from the Seleucids to the Hasmonaeans: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 4 Sept. 21/23 Jewish History from Pompeius to Vespasian: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 5 Sept 28/30 Jewish History from the Interbellum to Judah ha-Nasi: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Module II: Post Biblical Jewish Religious Concepts Week 6 Oct. 5/7 Thanksgiving / Jewish Religious Concepts from Ezra to Alexander the Great: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 7 Oct. 12/14 Jewish Religious Concepts from the Seleucids to the Hasmonaeans: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 8 Oct. 19/21 Jewish Religious Concepts from Pompeius to Vespasian: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 9 Oct. 26/38 Jewish Jewish Religious Concepts from the Interbellum to Judah ha- Nasi: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Module III: Post Biblical Torah Interpretations Week 10 Nov 2/4 Torah Interpretations from Ezra to Alexander the Great: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 11 Nov. 9/11 Torah Interpretations from the Seleucids to the Hasmonaeans: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 12 Nov. 16/18 Torah Interpretations from Pompeius to Vespasian: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 13 Nov. 23/25 Torah Interpretations from the Interbellum to Judah ha-Nasi: Survey, Texts, Analysis. Week 14 Dec. 2 Deadline for paper Reading Guide Introduction Week 1 Sept. 2 Introduction Module I: Post Biblical Jewish History Week 2 Sept. 7 Introduction to the books to be accessed and read (partly available in a course pack): 1) Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989; 2) George W.E. Nickelsburg, Jewish Literature Between the Bible and the Mishnah, Philadelphia: Fortress Press 1981, 2nd print 1987; 3) Hartmut Stegemann, The Library of Qumran: On the Essenes, Qumran, John the wBaptist and Jesus, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 1998; 4) Guenter Stemberger, Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992, 2nd print 1996, and 5) James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 2001. Sept. 9 Jewish History from Ezra to Alexander the Great: General Overview of the main historical events and political parties to ca. 300 BCE. Chronology, method and definition applied to the period by modern scholarship. Read: Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989, 13-26, and George W.E. Nickelsburg, Jewish Literature Between the Bible and the Mishnah, Philadelphia: Fortress Press 1981, 2nd print 1987, 1-11. Week 3 Sept. 14 Ptolemaic (332-198 CE) and Seleucid (198-164 BCE) Influence on Palestine. Hasmonaean State (164-63 BCE). Read: James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pu blishing Company 2001, 11-32 Sept. 16 Jewish History from the Seleucids to the Hasmonaeans: General Overview of the main religious institutions. Temple, Sanhedrin, Sects and Schools. Read: Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989, 104-143 Week 4 Sept. 21 The three main religious groups: Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. Read: Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989, 143-173 Sept. 23 Jewish History from Pompeius to Vespasian: General Overview of the main historical events and political players Week 5 Sept 28 Historical context of 300 BCE to 200 CE and its main political events. Maccabaean Rebellion, First (66-73 CE) and Second (132-135 CE) War against Rome, Diaspora Revolt (115-117 CE). Encounter of Judaism and Hellenism. Read: Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989, 27-59 Leaders (Priests, Civil Rulers, Sanhedrin) and Groups (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes). Read: James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 2001, 175-193 (compare with Cohen, o.c., 143-173) Sept. 30 Jewish History from the Interbellum to Judah ha-Nasi: Lecture on the main historical events and political parties. Palestine under Roman Rule (63 BCE and beyond). Read: James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 2001, 32-52 Module II: Post Biblical Jewish Religious Concepts Week 6 Oct. 5 Thanksgiving / The Centre of Life: Temple Worship, Festivals, and Other Worship. Read: James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 2001, 193-217 Oct. 7 Jewish Religious Concepts from Ezra to Alexander the Great: General Overview of the main religious concepts and beliefs. The Jewish Religion: Ritual, Ethics, and the Law. Read: Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989, 60-103 Week 7 Oct. 12 The Canonization of the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Prophets, and Writings. Read: Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press 1987, paperback 1989, 174-213 Oct. 14 Jewish Religious Concepts from the Seleucids to the Hasmonaeans: General Overview of the main religious concepts and beliefs. The Essenes: The Excavations at Qumran. Read: Hartmut Stegemann, The Library of Qumran: On the Essenes, Qumran, John the Baptist and Jesus, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 1998, 12-57 The Teachings of the Essenes: Angels and Demons, Eschatology and Messiah, Resurrection of the Dead. Read: Hartmut Stegemann, The Library of Qumran: On the Essenes, Qumran, John the Baptist and Jesus, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 1998, 139-162 and 201-210 Week 8 Oct. 19 Jewish Religious Concepts from Pompeius to Vespasian: Survey: General Overview of the main religious concepts and beliefs Oct. 21 Jewish Literature of the Second Temple: The Writings outside of the Canon of the Hebrew Bible, but part of its Greek translation (Septuaginta). Read: James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 2001, 53-88 Further Books outside of the Canon of the Hebrew Bible, but now also outside of the Septuagint. Read: James C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company 2001, 88-115 Week 9 Oct. 26 Jewish Jewish Religious Concepts from the Interbellum to Judah ha-Nasi: General Overview of the main religious concepts and beliefs The Richness of the (non-canonical) Wisdom and Poetic Literature of Ancient Judaism.