Introduction to Classical Judeo-Arabic

Introduction to Classical Judeo-Arabic

An Online Course with Dr. Yaara Perlman 
Ten Thursdays: February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 2027 
12:00-1:30 p.m. ET   

Beginning with a brief overview of the history and linguistic features of Judeo-Arabic and a survey of major medieval writers, this course will primarily focus on the close reading of texts from a range of genres. Readings will include excerpts from Saadia Gaon’s translation of the Torah and from the Responsa of Maimonides, as well as documentary materials such as private letters and legal documents that are part of JTS’ permanent collection. As such, the course will also offer a window into the lives of medieval Arabic-speaking Jews, illustrating how they engaged with Arabic culture while preserving and developing a unique religious and intellectual heritage 

Prerequisites: This course requires prior knowledge of Arabic, equivalent to 3-4 semesters of university study. Students are also expected to be familiar with Hebrew script by the second week of class. 

Recordings will be available for those unable to attend a session. Space is limited. 

Cost: $650 

About the Instructor

Dr. Yaara Perlman is a historian of the premodern Middle East, working at the intersection of kinship ties created through women, tribal affiliations, and social and political networks. Her research covers topics pertaining to pre-Islamic Arabia, as well as to the early history of Islam from the time of the Prophet Muḥammad to the period of the early ʿAbbāsid caliphs. Her first book, currently in progress, examines Muḥammad’s administrative appointments in the Jewish oasis of Khaybar to shed light on his and his companions’ relationships with the Jews. She holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and has been a postdoctoral fellow at Tel Aviv University and Yale Law School. 

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