Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation

Professors
Alan Cooper, Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages
Benjamin D. Sommer, Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages
Burton L. Visotzky, Talmud and Rabbinics, Program Adviser

Associate Professor
Beth Berkowitz, Talmud and Rabbinics
Robert Harris, Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages
Marjorie Lehman, Talmud and Rabbinics

The program in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation is interdisciplinary, designed to enable students to gain expertise in the broad varieties of rabbinic biblical exegesis and rabbinic narrative. Students are exposed to critical study of the Bible and rabbinic literature; current methodologies in the study of Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation; and appropriate cognate literatures. Background is offered in the social history of late antiquity through the medieval period. A concentration in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation focuses on exegesis of biblical and rabbinic texts from the second century through the medieval period. Students must choose a concentration in either Midrash or medieval Bible exegesis and focus course work and comprehensive examinations accordingly.

The program emphasizes acquisition of critical methodologies current in the study of Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation. To that end, students learn historical/critical techniques such as philology and historiography. At the same time, a focus is given to rabbinic narrative and students learn modern and postmodern literary theories, as well as feminist and gender readings. All texts are studied in the original and students are expected to develop fluency in those languages as well as competence in cognate languages. Graduates of the various programs teach at universities throughout North America, Europe, and Israel.

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts
Master of Arts
Doctor of Hebrew Literature
Doctor of Philosophy

Bachelor of Arts

Admission Requirements
See the List College Admissions page.

Degree Requirements
From the Core Curriculum

  • TAL 1011/2011: Introduction to Rabbinic Literature (3 credits)
  • TAL 1021: Introduction to Talmud I (3 credits)
  • TAL 1022: Introduction to Talmud II (3 credits)

For Midrash Majors
Twenty-one credits beyond the core curriculum as follows:

  • TAL 3323: Mishnah for Majors (3 credits)
  • One Talmud text course, numbered 3000 or higher
  • One parshanut or biblical narrative course
  • MID 3944 or MID 5022: Midrash for Majors (3 credits)
  • 6 additional credits in Midrash (MID 6101: Introduction to Exegesis [3 credits] is recommended)
  • One course in the cognate literature of the period (e.g., New Testament, patristics, Greco-Roman literature, Islamic or gnostic literature) or in the social history of the period (taken at JTS, Columbia University, Barnard College, or Union Theological Seminary)
Master of Arts

Admission Requirements
Learn more about admission to The Graduate School.

Degree Requirements
Courses
Students entering the program will be expected to take the following courses, or their equivalent, if they have not had the equivalent previously:

  • BIB 5013: Pentateuch With Rashi
  • TAL 6113: Survey of Mishnah
  • MID 5022: Midrash for Beginners

Students are permitted to register for courses counting toward the degree while fulfilling these prerequisites.

In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, 30 graduate credits are required as follows:

  • MID/MDS 6101: Introduction to Exegesis (3 credits)
  • MID 6307: Miqraot Gedolot I (3 credits)
  • MID 8525–8526: Critical Methods I and II (6 credits)
  • HIS 6117: Jews and Judaism in the Ancient World or HIS 6313 Jews and Judaism in the Middle Ages (3 credits)
  • 6 credits of electives in Midrash, Talmud, Bible, or medieval Bible exegesis at the 6000 level or above
  • 9 credits chosen in consultation with the adviser, at least one course of which focuses on biblical narrative

Comprehensive Examinations
Oral: Students must exhibit the ability to read and translate with fluency from an unmarked text (previously prepared): fifty chapters of Genesis Rabbah, all of Leviticus Rabbah, or the equivalent amount of text in Midrash or medieval Bible exegesis (with approval of the adviser).

Written: Students must answer essay questions on a reading list (to be determined annually by the adviser).

Doctor of Hebrew Literature

Admission Requirements
Learn more about admission to The Graduate School.

Additionally, students must have a master’s degree or its equivalent in Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis, or a cognate field with the approval of the Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation program adviser.

Degree Requirements
Courses
In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, 30 graduate credits beyond the MA are required as follows:

  • MID 8525–8526: Critical Methods I and II (if the student has taken 8525–8526, he/she is then required to add 6 credits in Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis)
  • One doctoral-level course in Midrash Aggadah or one doctoral-level course in Medieval Bible exegesis
  • One course in Midrash halakhah
  • One course in Talmud (Level IV or higher)
  • At least one course in cognate studies is strongly recommended (e.g., Roman social history, Roman religions, Introduction to Christianity to 325, Introduction to New Testament, Patristic Literature, Introduction to Islam, Introduction to Quran and Hadith, Karaite Exegesis)
  • Other courses should be selected in consultation with the adviser

Comprehensive Examinations
Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, the student will take two examinations as follows:

  • Oral: Student must demonstrate expertise in Genesis Rabbah; or Leviticus Rabbah plus one-half of Genesis Rabbah; or the equivalent amount of text in Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis (with approval of adviser).
  • Written: Student must compose an extensive reading list with the advice of the adviser. The list shall survey major critical contributions to the field of Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis and emphasize those works which formed the direction of critical studies during the last two centuries. The final reading list, on which the candidate will be examined, requires the approval of the program faculty.

Dissertation
A competent piece of research which constitutes a contribution to the field.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements
Learn more about admission to The Graduate School.

Additionally, students must have a master’s degree or its equivalent in Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis, or a cognate field with the approval of the Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation program adviser.

Degree Requirements
Languages
In addition to German and one other modern research language, required of all students in The Graduate School, reading proficiency must be demonstrated in one or more primary text languages (e.g., Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin) the adviser deems necessary for the dissertation.

Courses
In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, 30 graduate credits beyond the MA are required as follows:

  • MID 8525–8526: Critical Methods I and II (if the student has taken 8525–8526, he/she is required to add 6 credits in Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis)
  • Two doctoral-level courses in Midrash Aggadah and one course in Medieval Bible exegesis for Midrash concentrators; OR one doctoral level course in Midrah Aggadah and two courses in Medieval Bible exegesis for Medieval Bible exegesis concentrators
  • One course in Midrash halakhah
  • One course in Talmud (level IV or higher)
  • One or more courses in cognate studies (e.g., Roman social history, Roman religions, Introduction to Christianity to 325, Introduction to New Testament, Patristic Literature, Introduction to Islam, Introduction to Quran and Hadith, Karaite Exegesis)
  • Other courses may be selected (with consent or requirement of adviser) in rabbinics, Medieval Bible exegesis, or cognate fields

Comprehensive Examinations
Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, the student will take two examinations as follows:

  • Oral: Student must demonstrate critical expertise in Genesis Rabbah (with the Theodor/Albeck commentary); or Leviticus Rabbah (with Margulies commentary) plus one-half of Genesis Rabbah (with commentary); or the equivalent amount of text in Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis (with approval of adviser).
  • Written: Student must compose an extensive reading list with the advice of the adviser. The list shall survey major critical contributions to the field of Midrash or Medieval Bible exegesis and emphasize those works which formed the direction of critical studies during the last two centuries. The final reading list, on which the candidate will be examined, requires the approval of the program faculty.

Dissertation
An original piece of research which advances knowledge in the candidate’s field of specialization.

Search the Course Catalog for MID Courses.