GROUP ISP 2006

Midrash, Parables and Rabbinic Thought

Susan Marks

Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies

Preferred method to be contacted:

E-mail:  smarks@ncf.edu

Office:  PME 221

Fall 2005 Office Hours:

Monday 11:00-Noon,

Thursday 2:00-3:00p.m.,

And by appointment

Midrashic Imagination

We will investigate the interpretive and rhetorical strategies of Midrash, an important genre of rabbinic literature.   We will explore these texts in advance of the upcoming visit to New College of David Stern of the University of Pennsylvania, author of groundbreaking works on midrash and literature.  Stern’s works include Parables in Midrash; Midrash and Theory; and Rabbinic Fantasies.  In preparation for a chance to discuss midrashic texts with David Stern, this ISP group will:

• Read and study a selection of midrashim
• Explore how midrash relates to bible
• Consider why the rabbis use this form
• Examine how Jewish midrash relates to Christian parables
• Ask what contemporary literary theory offers to the study of midrash.

The activities of this group will culminate first in a seminar with David Stern on January 17^th and then in presentation of research by members of the group.

Meeting times:     We will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am- Noon, beginning January 3^rd.  We will discuss group readings and share preliminary findings from individual exegetical projects.  All those in the ISP group should plan to attend David Stern’s Tuesday night January 17^th public lecture as well as his advanced seminar during our normal meeting time that morning.

Requirements:  Student will read assigned texts in a timely fashion and come to our meetings ready to engage in discussions.  Each student will turn in one final paper interpreting a section of a midrash, of around 7-12 pages, the highlights of which he/she will present to the group.