This seminar will be
based on readings of foundational texts of Hasidic hagiography from
the nineteenth century. We will investigate the sources of this
literature, the authors and printers of these texts, their changing
characteristics and reception. The course will focus on close
readings of central texts, particularly Shivhei ha-Besht.
Habad Hasidism
(2013-2014)
This course will
delve into the major moments of Habad Hasidism from its founding
through the last years. Through a study of central texts in Hasidism
we will evaluate the daring theological picture that negotiated
change in relation to a shifting reality.
Hillel Zeitlin and
Jewish Mysticism in Poland (2013-2014)
This course will
focus on the exception figure of Hillel Zeitlin, as part of the
Renaissance of the Jewish Mysticism in Poland at the beginnig of the
twentieth Century. We will analyze central texts of Zeitlin, Shmuel
Aba Horodezky, Haim Bunin, The Rabbi of Gur, The Zaddik from
Piaseczna, Bratslav Hasidim and others.
Yosef Hayyim
Brenner and Judaism (2013-2014)
This course will
focus on the conception of Judaism and the limits of Religion in the
works of Yosef Hayyim Brenner. We will analyze central texts of
Brenner in several genres, from Short Publicist articles to his
fundamental Romans.
East European
Haskalah and Religion (2013-2014)
This course will
focus on the concept of Religion in the works of various East
European Maskilim in the nineteenth century (From Nachman Krochmal
and Yitzhak Baer Levinsohn to Yehuda Leib Gordon and Moshe Leib
Lilienblum).The discussion will provide a broad picture of the
Jewish society in Eastern Europe from the end of the 18th century
till the end of the 19th century.
Readings in
Sipurey Ma'asiyot of R. Nachman of Bratslav (2014-2015)
This course will
delve into the mysteries world of R. Nachman of Bratslav Stories,
collected in the volume Sefer Sippurey Ma'asiyot (1815-1816). We
will investigate their theological and historical context, deal with
the Hasidic Interpretations of the stories throughout the 19th
century, and analyze the neo-hasidic views of bratslav hasidism.
'In Praise of the
Baall Shem Tov' (Shivchei Ha-Besht) and the Hasidic Hagiographical
Literature (2014-2015)
This Course will be
based on readings of foundational texts of Hasidic hagiography from
the nineteenth century. We will investigate the sources of this
literature, the authors and printers of these texts, their changing
characteristics and reception. The course will focus on close
readings In Praise of The Baal Shem tov.
Major Trends in
Jewish Studies: Between Romanticism and Orientalism (2014-2015)
This seminar will be
based on readings of foundational texts of Hasidic hagiography from
the nineteenth century. We will investigate the sources of this
literature, the authors and printers of these texts, their changing
characteristics and reception. The course will focus on close
readings of central texts, particularly Shivhei ha-Besht.
Bratslav Hasidism
(2015-2016)
This course will
delve into the major moments of Bratslav Hasidism from its founding
through the Holocaust. Through a study of central texts in Hasidism
we will evaluate the daring theological picture that negotiated
change in relation to a shifting reality. In the first semester we
will read from the works of R. Nahman of Bratslav and R. Nathan of
Nemirov, and in the second we will study the development of Hasidism
through the twentieth century.
Israel Baal Shem
Tov and the Beginnings of Hasidism (2015-2016)
This seminar will be
based on readings of Hasidic texts from the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries. We will focus on the Theological and
historical background of Hasidism and on the role of the Baal Shem
Tov in the establishment of the new movement.
Hillel
Zeitlin and Jewish Mysticism in Poland (2015-2016)
This course
will focus on the exception figure of Hillel Zeitlin, as part of the
Renaissance of the Jewish Mysticism in Poland at the beginnig of the
twentieth Century. We will analyze central texts of Zeitlin, Shmuel
Aba Horodezky, Haim Bunin, The Rabbi of Gur, The Zaddik from
Piaseczna, Bratslav Hasidim and others.
Late Sabbatianism
(2016-2017)
In this seminar we
will read the founding texts of late Sabbatianism and we will study
the theological and historical developments of Sabbatianism from the
time of Sabbatai Sevis conversion (including texts of Cardozo,
Hayyon, Ramhal and Eybeschutz) until the radical expression of
Sabbatianism amongst Jacob Frank and the Doenmeh.
New Readings in
Bratslav Hasidism (2016-2017)
This seminar
will delve into the major moments of Bratslav Hasidism from its
founding through the Holocaust. Through a study of central texts in
Hasidism we will evaluate the daring theological picture that
negotiated change in relation to a shifting reality. In the first
semester we will read from the works of R. Nahman of Bratslav and R.
Nathan of Nemirov, and in the second we will study the development
of Hasidism through the twentieth century.