Online Course: The Prophets Through Haftarot

Online Course: The Prophets Through Haftarot

Mondays October 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov 1, 8, 15;
7:00-8:30 p.m. ET    

In this course, led by Dr. Robert Harris, we’ll situate prophetic texts of the haftarot in their historical, literary, and rhetorical contexts and try to answer the question: how did ancient Israelites understand the prophets and their messages? And since we appreciate the prophets as bearers of continuing inspirational messages for us, we will also ask the question: how can the prophets speak to us today? We’ll encounter the social and institutional critiques of prophets like Amos and Jeremiah as well as the writings of far-out visionaries like Ezekiel and Zechariah.  

While today we would look askance at someone declaring themselves to be a prophet, in ancient Israel prophets were a regular feature of life. Yet it’s not always easy for us to understand the significance of prophetic writings, since we typically encounter them on a Shabbat or holiday morning when the haftarah is chanted—not in a context where we can fully take in their role in the ancient world or appreciate their message. 

To prepare for class sessions, you are encouraged to read the assigned prophetic texts as well as selected introductory matter. This course is appropriate for synagogue-goers interested in haftarot as well as a general audience interested in prophetic literature. Knowledge of Hebrew is not required. 

Cost: $210 for seven sessions