A Bookhouse Presentation:
"If you like, say . . ." : An Introduction to Talmudic Thinking
A Four-Part Series by James Adam Redfield
Associate Professor of Theological Studies, Saint Louis University
"What is distinctive about the intellectual practice known as Talmud? How does the Talmud "think" - or teach us to think?
The answer is inseparable from Talmudic discourse, i.e., how the sages of the Talmud converse with one another and their shared texts (primarily, the Bible and rabbinic traditions).
By following their conversations and using these as a model for thinking, we not only imitate the Talmud's culture but also creatively appropriate it for our own.
This mini-course explores how Talmudic thinking is modeled and transmitted by close study of short texts illustrating four corners of the sages' discourse.
Sessions are open to novices as well as experienced scholars; opportunities to discuss commentaries and sources in the original will also be provided."
Thursday, 15 October 12:00-1:30PM
Legal Thinking
We will examine a classic self-reflective story about, and an example of, the sages' legal reasoning. What does it aim to teach about the role of law in culture?
Sunday, 15 November 1:30-4:00PM
Political Thinking
With Elad Lapidot, Professor of Hebraic Studies, University of Lille