Instructor: Erica Martin

Description: The Torah, according to the general academic consensus, is a composite text of multiple sources, written and revised over hundreds of years. This adult education class offers an in-depth exploration of the formation of the Torah and the battle of ideas present within the texts that comprise the Hebrew Bible. Participants will engage with historical and literary perspectives to understand how various traditions and narratives wrestled for centrality over centuries.

The course will begin by examining the historical context in which the Torah was developed, including the sociopolitical factors that influenced its compilation. We will delve into the documentary hypothesis and other scholarly models that propose how different sources contributed to the final text of the Torah. We will meet old, familiar texts anew, focusing on contradictions and variations found within the Torah and across the Hebrew Bible and the insight they give us into earliest Israelite history.

This course is ideal for adults interested in biblical studies, theology, and the intersections of history and literature. No prior knowledge is required.

Please enter the name of the student(s) in the notes section.