Introduction to Tannaitic Literature

Catalog description

The Tannaim continued in large part the laws and views of their predecessors the Pharisees, while also taking the initiative in leading their community in the post-Temple era. They produced Megilat Taanit, Seder Olam Rabbah, Mishnah, Tosefta, and Tannaitic Midrashim, which became the basis for subsequent Judaism until today. This course will survey the literature of the Tannaim with emphasis on the Mishnah and Tosefta within their historical context. It will focus on scholarly methodologies of analysis including manuscript variants, literary aspects, Greco-Roman background, parallel texts, editing, publication, and transmission.