Back to The Talmud: A Methodological Introduction
Northwestern University

The Talmud: A Methodological Introduction

The Talmud is one of the richest and most complicated works of literature the world has ever known. Since being composed around 1500 years ago it has inspired not only religious reverence but significant intellectual engagement. In this course learners will be introduced to the unique characteristics of this text and the challenges that inhere in studying it while studying a chapter of the Talmud. Students of the course can expect to develop an appreciation for how the Talmud works and why it continues to inspire religious and intellectual devotion. They will be challenged to employ critical reading skills and to analyze legal and historical concepts.

Status: Adjudication
Status: Research
Course15 hours

Featured reviews

AB

4.0Reviewed Sep 18, 2016

very interesting, challenging, but I find it hard to understand the intonation (highs and lows) of the ph

CW

4.0Reviewed Aug 29, 2017

This is a very well constructed introduction to the Talmud but I think it would be improved if it made more demands on the student in terms of reading assignments and exercises.

JL

4.0Reviewed Apr 29, 2019

Very interesting peek into the world of Talmud (and interesting to this non-Jewish student). I like that the Hebrew-reading student can access the original texts too.

FF

5.0Reviewed Apr 19, 2020

Thank you Professor Wimpfheimer for offering this course. Though I am a Catholic, the course gave me a clearer perspective on how to understand the Sacred Scriptures. Thank you! Shalom!

BZ

5.0Reviewed Dec 4, 2022

Phenomenal! I wish that I could study more Talmud with such in-depth guidance for every single page haha

MK

4.0Reviewed Sep 27, 2020

The course is great and the instructors are superbly skilled people making complex topics easy to understand.

TT

5.0Reviewed May 21, 2016

An outstanding look into the complexities and nuances of the the Talmud. Well-taught, thought-provoking, interesting...

RJ

5.0Reviewed Apr 24, 2020

Outstanding! Loved the content, the presentation and the instructors were excellent. The MOOC was informative, as well.

YK

5.0Reviewed Feb 23, 2021

I have learn about the complexity of the methods the rabbi used in the Talmud and an eye opener for me into the world of rabbinic world .

BL

5.0Reviewed Jan 8, 2017

This course is both a traditional and non-traditional Talmud course. The non-traditional gives a historic prospective of the basis of Talmud with a modern view of its derivation.

AP

5.0Reviewed Feb 18, 2019

Great way of introducing a topic as complex as the Talmud. It was surely amazing to have such course instructors who can rarely be matched both in eloquence and erudition. Overall it was fun!

JR

5.0Reviewed Aug 24, 2017

Now I can read the Talmud and understand the discussions presented in light of the explanations given in the course.

All reviews

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