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Professor Lupovitch
History 181
Introduction to Jewish History I: From Biblical Origins to 1492
This course will survey the history of the Jews from biblical antiquity until the Expulsion
from Spain. The course will explore a wide variety of topics, but will focus around three
themes: the emergence of rabbinic Judaism and the Jewish life in the diaspora out of the religious
and social matrix of ancient Israelite religion and society; the challenges to the primacy of Torah
Judaism by Hellenistic culture; and the disparities between Jewish life under Christianity and
Islam. Although primarily a lecture course, students are strongly encouraged to participate by
asking and answering questions in class.
Required Reading:
Barnavi, Eli, Atlas of the Jewish People
Hallo, William, Ruderman, David, and Stanislawski, Michael Heritage, Civilization, and the
Jews: Source Reader (HCJ)
Shiffman, Lawrence, From Text to Tradition
Stillman, Norman, The Jews of Arab Lands
Kenneth Stow, Alienated Minority
Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures
These books are available at the campus book store and are on reserve in the library.
Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments:
9/6
Introduction
9/8
The Mythical World of the Hebrew Bible
Reading: HCJ, 1-16
Shiffman, 17-32
Tanakh: Genesis 12, 22; Exodus 19-24; Leviticus 19, Numbers 16,
Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 26.
9/11
The Tribal Confederation
Reading: HCJ, 16-18
Tanakh: Judges 18-21, I Samuel 1, 4-6, 8, 9, 12, 15,
9/13
The Kingdom of David and Solomon
Reading: HCJ, 18-23
Tanakh: II Samuel 5-7, 11-12, I Kings 3-6, 8, 10-11, Proverbs 5-6
9/15
The Divided Monarchy
Reading: HCJ, 23-29, 30-31
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9/18
Tanakh: I Kings 12
The Age of Prophecy
Reading: HCJ, 29
Tanakh: I Kings 17-19; Isaiah 6, 36-39; Hosea 1-3,; Amos 1-2, II Chronicles 32
9/20
The Reforms of Josiah
Reading: HCJ 35-36;
Tanakh: II Kings 22-25, Jeremiah 1, 7, 26, Deuteronomy 22, II Chronicles 34
9/22
The Decline and Fall of the First Commonwealth
Reading: HCJ, 31-37
Tanakh: II Kings 21-25; Job 1-3, 38-42. Ecclesiastes 1,3
9/25
Exile and the Return to Zion
Reading: HCJ, 39-46, 50-51
Tanakh: Psalm 130 ; Lamentations 1; Ezra 1, 9-10
9/27
The Diaspora
Reading: Shiffman, 33-59.
HCJ, 47-49
Tanakh: Jeremiah 29; Daniel 1-2; Esther
9/29
The Challenge of Hellenism
Reading: Shiffman, 60-72
HCJ, 52-54
9/2
The Maccabean Revolt (and the real story of Hanukkah)
Reading: Shiffman, 72-79
HCJ, 55-56
Biale, 11-33
10/4
The Second Commonwealth
Reading: Shiffman, 98-103
HCJ, 56-57
10/6
The Reign of Herod
Reading: Shiffman, 139-149
10/9
Yom Kippur – no class
10/11
Jewish Sects: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes
Reading: Shiffman, 103-137
HCJ, 59-61
10/13 Midterm Examination
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10/16
Fall Break – no class
10/18
The Great Revolt
Reading: Schiffman, 157-171
HCJ, 57-59
10/20 Masada, Bar Kochba, and the End of the Zealot Tradition
Reading: HCJ, 64-65
Shiffman, 171-176
10/23 Jesus, Paul, and the Great Schism
Reading: Schiffman, 149-156
Stow, 10-17
HCJ, 61-62, 73-75
Tanakh: Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 31
10/25
Philo and the Jews of Alexandria
Reading: Shiffman, 94-96
HCJ, 66-67
10/27
The Beginnings of Rabbinic Judaism
Reading: Shiffman, 177-200
HCJ, 68-73
10/30
Roman Law and the Limits of Christian Tolerance
Reading: Shiffman, 201-213
Stow, 17-29
HCJ, 75-82
11/1
The Mind of the Rabbis
Reading: Shiffman, 200-264
Biale, 34-55
11/3
Mohammed and the Dhimmi
Reading: HCJ, 82-87
Stillman, 3-21, 113-118, 145-151, 159-162, 169-170, 201-203
11/6
Exilarchs, Ga’onim, and the Karaite Schism
Reading: HCJ, 87-93
Stillman, 22-53, 176-182, 189-191, 198-199
11/8
Convivencia: The Golden Age of Spanish Jewry
Reading: Stillman, 53-63, 211-213, 217-225
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HCJ, 95-112
Hand-out: “The Legend of the Four Captives”
11/10
Yehuda Halevi, Maimonides, and the end of the Golden Age
Reading: HCJ, 112-122
Stillman, 233-246
11/13
Ashkenazic Jewry from Charlemagne to the Eve of the First Crusade
Reading: Stow, 41-64; 88-101
HCJ, 93-94, 122-124
11/15
The Crusades
Reading: Stow, 102-120
HCJ, 124-129
11/17
Rabbinic Culture and the Medieval Jewish Community
Reading: Stow, 135-209
HCJ, 144-148
11/20
“Serfs of the Chamber”
Reading: Stow, 210-230, 273-280
11/22 - 11/26 Thanksgiving Holiday – no class
11/27 Popes, Friars, and Jews
Reading: Stow, 243-281
Hand-out: The Fourth Lataran Council
11/29 Jews in the Medieval Imagination:
Reading: Stow, 231-242
HCJ, 129-136
12/1
The Age of Expulsions
Reading: Stow, 281-308
Term-Paper due in class
12/4
The Jews of Christian Spain to 1391
Reading: HCJ, 136-144,
12/6
The Jews of Christian Spain, 1391-1492
Reading: HCJ, 148-154
12/8 Conclusion: 1492 and Beyond
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Grading
You will evaluated essentially based on three grades: a midterm, final, and a term paper.
Although class participation is not required, it will be rewarded. There will be no formal class
discussions, but consistent contributions in class – meaning asking and answering questions –
can count as much as 20% of your final grade. Depending on your level of participation, your
grade will be calculated in one of the following two ways:
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
Term-Paper (8-10 pages)
30%
40%
30%
or
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
Term-Paper (8-10 pages)
Class Participation
25%
35%
20%
20%
The midterm examination will take place in class on October 20. The final examination
will be distributed at the last scheduled class meeting, and will be due at 4:00p.m. on the
scheduled examination date. The term-paper will be due in class December 1. Late papers
and exams will not be accepted.
Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:30-11, a..m., and by appointment
251 Miller
Tel: Ext. 3054
E-Mail: h_lupovi@colby.edu