The Centre for Jewish Studies
University of Manchester
Extra-Mural Lectures 1998-99
For the full list of lectures, click here
Nov. 9th, Alexander Samely: An Overview of the Sources
of Rabbinic Literature, c.200-900 C.E.
Abstract:
"Rabbinic literature in the narrower sense comprises the foundation
books of talmudic Judaism: Mishnah, Gemara (Talmud) and the works of midrash.
These books, written in Hebrew and Aramaic, were produced between the third
and ninth century C.E. in Palestine and Babylonia and encapsulate the concepts
and traditions of what became the dominant branch of Judaism until the nineteenth
century. I shall give an overview of this extremely rich and ramified literature,
and highlight some of the complexities that make the works of the talmudic
period such a fascinating as well as difficult read."
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Dr. Alexander Samely is Lecturer in Middle Eastern Studies at the University
of Manchester and is an expert in Hebrew Manuscripts. His research at present
centres on rabbinic midrash. He has published two books: The Interpretation
of Speech in the Pentateuch Targums (1992) and Spinozas Theorie der
Religion (1993).
The Centre for Jewish Studies
The Department of Religions and Theology
University of Manchester
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Manchester M13 9PL
United Kingdom
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