Biblical Hebrew IV: Advanced Reading Seminar on the Book of Numbers

BIBLICAL HEBREW IV: ADVANCED READING SEMINAR ON THE BOOK OF NUMBERS 

An Online Course with Dr. David Zev Moster 

Ten Thursdays: February 8, 15, 22, 29; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 2024. 

2:00–3:30 p.m. ET   

The Book of Numbers recounts the memorable events of Israelite wandering, describing how and why the generation of the Exodus died in the desert.  It also contains a variety of literary genres, from historical narratives to legal texts and poetic traditions. In 10 live online sessions, we will read several original Hebrew texts from Numbers, from camping at Sinai to the preparations to enter Canaan—including many of the sins, rebellions, and plagues along the way. We will focus on the most difficult passages and explore multiple options for translation and interpretation. Participants are encouraged to complete an assignment before each class and to create their own translations of sections from this epic journey.  

Sessions will be recorded and recordings will be shared with registered participants.  

Prerequisite: completion of Biblical Hebrew I, II, and III. If you have not taken these courses but believe you have the equivalent background, please contact lyfeinman@jtsa.edu to schedule a conversation with the instructor prior to enrollment.  

Cost: $350 (limited financial assistance available) 

Earn a 10 percent DISCOUNT on courses by declaring your candidacy for JTS’s Certificate in Biblical Hebrew. Complete the four-course sequence and optional capstone project. By the conclusion of the program, you will be able to read and understand a book of the Bible from start to finish in the original Hebrew.   

Dr. David Zev Moster is the lead faculty for JTS’s community courses in Biblical Hebrew and for the Certificate in Biblical Hebrew and adjunct assistant professor at JTS.  He directs the Institute of Biblical Culture, where he teaches Hebrew and creates video materials about ancient Israelite language and culture for the general public. He is the author of Etrog: How a Chinese Fruit Became a Jewish Symbol (2018). He received his PhD from Bar-Ilan University, an MA from New York University, and BA, MA, and MS degrees and rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University.