Bible, Hebrew and Near Eastern Studies Apply Now Contact Us Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology The Department of Bible, Hebrew, and Near Eastern Studies (BHNES) is founded upon three propositions: The study of Tanakh is central to Judaism. The Bible and its interpretative afterlife have much to contribute to our understanding of the many ways in which Jews and Jewish texts have interacted with the rest of the world, from biblical through modern times. The Hebrew language has long nurtured the national identity of the Jewish people. From the towering classics on the Jewish bookshelf—Tanakh, the Mishnah, the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah—to the modern expressions of Jewish culture such as Bialik and Agnon and contemporary writers such as Yehuda Amichai and Aharon Appelfeld, Hebrew has been both the medium and the message of a vibrant soul of a people. An appreciation for the civilizations and languages of the Near East enhances one’s appreciation of both Tanakh and the Hebrew language. Mission Statement Yeshiva College students are singularly suited and uniquely challenged to study Tanakh intensively while bringing to bear the breadth of knowledge gained from a liberal arts education. At Yeshiva College, Bible is a multidimensional discipline. It begins with an effort to understand the Bible in its historical context, as illuminated by the history of the Ancient Near East and its linguistic and physical culture. It continues with the study of the Bible as it has been read and interpreted throughout Jewish history, from second temple texts to the rabbis of the Talmud to the classical medieval commentators, down to the present. The Yeshiva College Bible faculty, immersed in traditional approaches and trained in contemporary scholarship, brings these mutually enriching aspects of the study of Tanakh together in a fashion rarely available elsewhere. Together with Stern College and the Syms School of Business, we offer a full suite of Hebrew language classes, beginning with elementary Hebrew (1010) and continuing through Intermediate Hebrew I and II (1020 and 1030). More advanced students can choose from courses such as Israeli Society & Language, Biblical Hebrew, and more. We also offer as electives specialized courses in biblical Hebrew and its Semitic linguistic environment and classes in modern Hebrew literature and conversational Hebrew. BHNES offerings include courses on the literature, culture, and languages of the Near East that expand our students’ horizons and challenge them to see Tanakh and the Hebrew language through broader historical and linguistic lenses. Program Information Courses Introduction to the Bible (BIB 1000) 2–3 credits Authorship and canonization; text transmission; Masoretic text; translations of the Bible; Bible in its ancient Near Eastern context; Jewish biblical interpretation through the ages. Biblical Law and Society (BIB 1187) Laws governing the society of man (Exodus 20-23; Leviticus 19, 20, 24, 25; Deuteronomy 12-25) Early Jewish Biblical Interpretation (BIB 1200 or 1200H) 3 credits A survey of the development of Jewish biblical interpretation from its earliest representation in the late books of the Bible through its various manifestations during the Second Temple and rabbinic periods. Touches upon the major works as well as the significant methods and types of interpretation originating in these periods. Biblical Midrashim (BIB 1220) 2 credits Introduction to the Aggadah; literary study of authorship, style, and contents of the major Tannaitic Midrashim; emphasis on their use in biblical exegesis. Midrash (BIB 1225) 2 credits Rabbinic Biblical Legal Exegesis (BIB 1240) 3 credits The methods of legal exegesis of the Midreshei Halakhah and the Babylonian Talmud, with emphasis on the way in which rabbinic tradition dealt with the problem of providing legally meaningful interpretations of each stylistic nuance of the legal portions of the Pentateuch. Targumim (BIB 1260) 2–3 credits The Aramaic translations of the Pentateuch and their place in biblical exegesis. Topics in Biblical Exegesis I; II (BIB 1300) 2 credits Selected Pentateuchal texts, examined in light of classical and modern Jewish commentaries, with emphasis on literary and theological analysis. May be repeated for credit with variation of content. The Akeda (BIB 1310) Nahmanides on Pentateuch (BIB 1320) 2 credits Analysis of the commentary of Moses Nahmanides (Ramban), his method and terminology, and similarities to—and differences from—other exegetes. Ralbag on Early Prophets (BIB 1370) Literary Approaches to the Bible (BIB 1500) 3 credits Readings in primary and secondary literature with the goal of heightening and developing the student’s sensitivity to the literary techniques of the biblical authors, the aesthetics of the biblical texts, and some of the nonideological reading strategies which have been employed in their elucidation. The focus is on biblical prose and poetry. Biblical Narrative (BIB 1501) 2-3 credits Readings in biblical narratives in light of classical, medieval, and modern commentaries and modern literary theories. Biblical History (BIB 1600) 3 credits A study of the correlations between biblical narratives and historical events. The course will examine biblical narratives from the Exodus and First Temple periods, using literary texts from the ancient Near East for comparison. Biblical Geography (BIB 1620) 3 credits This course will explore the interrelationship between the land and the biblical text, beginning with the period of the Conquest and Settlement and continuing through the eclipse of Judah in the early 6th century. Biblical Archaeology (BIB 1640) 2–3 credits This course will present an overview of the archaeological data (including texts) from the Land of Israel during the biblical period (from Abraham to Ezra). Topics discussed include: Canaanite culture, the cultural distinctions between Canaanites, Philistines, and Israelites, and how negotiating these differences helped shape a distinct Israelite ethnic identity. Also explore is the rise of statehood and its implications during the United Monarchy. Finally, the political ambitions of the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians are compared, and analyze how these ambitions dramatically altered the social, political, and economic landscape of the Land of Israel and its inhabitants. Prophecies of Consolation (BIB 1700) A study of selected prophecies of consolation related to the exile and the return, including selected chapters from Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah. Messianism in Biblical and Post-Biblical Literature (BIB 1720) Diaspora in Biblical Literature (BIB 1740) Genesis (BIB 2000) 3 credits Genesis and Literature (BIB 2010/H) 3 credits Topics in Genesis, including creation of man, original sin, Cain and Abel, and the Akeda, studied together with their literary afterlife, including Milton, Unamuno, Augustine, Kierkegaard, and traditional Jewish exegesis and homiletics. Genesis and the Near East (BIB 2015) Exodus (BIB 2020) 2-3 credits Leviticus (BIB 2040) 2-3 credits Numbers (BIB 2060) 2-3 credits Deuteronomy (BIB 2080) 2-3 credits Joshua (BIB 2100) 2-3 credits Joshua/Judges (BIB 2110) 2–3 credits Judges (BIB 2120) 2–3 credits Samuel (BIB 2140) 2–3 credits Kings (BIB 2160) 2–3 credits Isaiah (BIB 2500) 2–3 credits Jeremiah (BIB 2520) 2–3 credits Ezekiel (BIB 2540) 2–3 credits Amos and Hosea (BIB 2560) 2–3 credits Selected Books of Trei Asar (BIB 2580) 2–3 credits Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (BIB 2600) 2–3 credits Psalms (BIB 2700) 2–3 credits Proverbs (BIB 2720) 2–3 credits Job (BIB 2740) 2–3 credits Job, Suffering, and Biblical Theology (BIB 2740) Five Megillot (BIB 2760) 2–3 credits Ecclesiastes (BIB 2780) 2–3 credits Daniel (BIB 2800) 2–3 credits Ezra-Nehemiah (BIB 2820) 2–3 credits Chronicles (BIB 2840) 2–3 credits Independent Study (BIB 4901, 4902) Elementary Biblical Hebrew I, II (HEB 1003, 1004) 3 credits Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I, II (HEB 1005, 1006) 3 credits Beginning Hebrew (HEB 1010) 3 credits Intermediate Hebrew I, II (HEB 1020, 1030) 3 credits Readings in Biblical Hebrew (HEB 1040) 3 credits Conversational Hebrew (HEB 1041) 3 credits Elementary Hebrew II (HEB 1104) 3 credits Intermediate Hebrew I, II (HEB 1105, 1106) 3 credits Elementary Hebrew II (HEB 1204) 3 credits Upper Intermediate Hebrew I, II (HEB 1205, 1206) 3 credits Advanced Intermediate Hebrew I, II (HEB 1207, 1208) 3 credits Biblical Hebrew I, II (HEB 1225, 1226) 3 credits Conversational Hebrew I, II (HEB 1231, 1232) 3 credits Advanced Hebrew I, II (HEB 1305, 1306) 3 credits Advanced Hebrew Morphology (HEB 1310) 3 credits Post-Biblical Hebrew (HEB 1322) 3 credits Biblical Hebrew, Honors (HEB 1322H) 3 credits Advanced Conversational Hebrew (HEB 1406) 3 credits Spoken modern Hebrew, using advanced textbooks and Israeli newspapers Israeli Media (HEB 1415) 3 credits Advanced Hebrew Writing: Exposition (HEB 1419) 3 credits Exposition and Narration (HEB 1420) 3 credits History of the Hebrew Language (HEB 2100) 3 credits Zionism in Hebrew Literature (HEB 2470) 3 credits This course surveys the social and linguistic histories of Hebrew from its Semitic context through early medieval times. There will be a focus on reading Hebrew texts from the various periods. Medieval Hebrew Poetry (HEB 2525) 3 credits Selected readings in the Hebrew poetry of the Middle Ages, with emphasis on Yehudah Halevi, Shmuel HaNagid, Solomon ibn Gabirol, and Abraham Ibn Ezra. Modern Hebrew Prose (HEB 2657) 3 credits The Hebrew short story and novel from 1880 to the present. The Hebrew Novel (HEB 2667) 3 credits Critical study of representative works of such writers as Agnon, Appelfeld, Barash, Brenner, Hazaz, Meged, Mendele, Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, and others. The Hebrew Short Story (HEB 2669) 3 credits Detailed examination of the short story genre, its main characteristics, motifs, themes, and techniques as reflected in the works of Agnon, Appelfeld, Baron, Hazaz, Oz, Shenhar, Shoffman, and others. Modern Hebrew Essay (HEB 2677) 3 credits Modern Hebrew Poetry (HEB 2679) 3 credits Foundations of Renaissance Literature (HEB 2687) 3 credits 20th Century Hebrew Literature (HEB 2688) 3 credits Contemporary Hebrew Literature (HEB 2697) 3 credits Holocaust Literature (HEB 2709) 3 credits Themes in Agnon and Hazaz (HEB 2710) 3 credits War & Peace: Contemporary Hebrew Literature (HEB 2719) 3 credits Portrayal of Arabs in Israeli Literature (HEB 2720) 3 credits Biblical Themes in Modern Hebrew Literature (HEB 2729) 3 credits Zionism in Hebrew Literature (HEB 2740) 3 credits The World of Aharon Appelfeld (HEB 2749) 3 credits Portrayal of Women in Modern Hebrew Literature (HEB 2750) 3 credits Writings of Brenner and Berichevsky (HEB 2801) 3 credits Hebrew Historical Phonology I (HEB 4320) 3 credits Ancient Egyptian Literature (NES 1020H) 3 credits A survey of 2000 years of literature from ancient Egyptian stories, poems, instructions, magical spells, royal inscriptions, and their historical and social contexts. Including class trip to the Brooklyn and/or the Metropolitan Museum. Requirements BHNES courses count toward both the Jewish Studies Core Requirements, as well as the Jewish Studies major and minor. The major in Jewish Studies consists of 11 courses beyond the JCore requirements, totaling no less than 31 credits, divided into three groups: A concentration in one of seven categories, either a discipline (Jewish History, Hebrew, Bible, or Jewish Thought and Philosophy) or a time period (ancient [BIB, JHI 1200- 1299, NES], medieval [JHI/JTP 1300-1399], and modern [JHI/JTP 1400-1499]). Three further courses within Jewish Studies (BIB, HEB, JHI, JST, JTP, NES); Correlate courses, typically drawn from other departments in the Humanities (history, philosophy, literature) or the Social Sciences (such as psychology or sociology) which correlate with your studies within Jewish Studies. The minor in Jewish Studies consists of five courses, totaling no less than 13 credits, beyond the JCore requirements Faculty Ari AdlerAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageJoseph L. AngelProfessor of Bible and Jewish HistoryMercedes AzancotAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageMoshe J. BernsteinDavid A. and Fannie M. Denenberg Chair in Biblical Studies; Professor (Emeritus) of Bible and Jewish HistoryOsnat BishkoClinical Assistant Professor of Hebrew LanguageEsther CohenAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageAvishag DamariAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageSigalit DavisAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageNaomi GrunhausAssociate Professor of BibleBar GuziAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageShalom E. HoltzProfessor of BibleTalya Honig-LeibInstructor of HebrewAaron J. KollerProfessor of Near Eastern StudiesEliezer LawrenceAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageAri MermelsteinAssociate Professor of Bible and Second Temple Literature; Chair, Department of Bible, Hebrew, and Near Eastern StudiesZohar RawiAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageRoni RosenthalAdjunct, Hebrew LanguageAssociated FacultyShalom CarmyAssistant Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Bible Resources Research Hebrew, Biblical Studies, and Biblical Literature in Oxford Bibliographies (behind a pay wall, but available through the YU library). Professor Ehud Ben-Zvi’s personal website has a wealth of links to online biblical resources and biblical Hebrew. Ma’agarim The database of the Historical Dictionary Project of the Academy of the Hebrew Language, which includes all the extant Hebrew compositions from the time of the canonization of the Hebrew Bible until the end of the Geonic period and large selections of Hebrew literature from the mid-18th century until the founding of the State of Israel. In recent years medieval compositions have begun to be processed into the database. Professional Associations Academy of the Hebrew Language American Academy of Religion American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR) Association for Jewish Studies Society of Biblical Literature National Association of Professors of Hebrew Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies Faculty publications The faculty of the Department of Bible, Hebrew, and Near Eastern Studies is very active in scholarship and research. The following is a representative list of books authored by them. Joseph L. Angel, The Songs of the Sage: 4Q510-511 Naomi Grunhaus, The Challenge of Received Tradition: Dilemmas of Tradition in Radak's Biblical Commentaries Shalom Holtz, Praying Legally Aaron Koller, Unbinding Isaac: The Significance of the Akedah for Modern Jewish Thought Ari Mermelstein, Power and Emotion in Ancient Judaism: Community and Identity in Formation
