Sjimon den Hollander
  • Personal
    • Introduction
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • My Journey to Judaism
    • Testimonials
  • JUDAISM
    • Judaism - Introduction
    • Jewish History and Texts >
      • Paleo Hebrew
      • The Pentateuch
      • Stories of Creation
      • Stories of the Flood
      • Priestly Writings
      • Prophets of Israel and Judah
      • Biblical Poetry
      • Flavius Josephus
      • The Dead Sea Scrolls
      • Midrash
      • Oral Torah and Talmud
      • Origins of Christian Anti-Jewish Attitudes
      • Byzantine Jews Before the Advent of Islam
      • Yannai
      • Jews Under Islam
      • Byzantine Jews After the Advent of Islam
      • Qara'ites
      • Saadia Gaon
      • The Jewish Golden Age (part 1): Hasdai ibn Shaprut
      • The Jewish Golden Age (part 2) Andalusian Poetry
      • The Jewish Golden Age (part 3) Samuel haNagîd and Ibn Gabirol
      • Christian-Jewish Polemics
      • The Crusades and Maoz Tzur
      • Rashi
      • The Tosafists
      • Yehuda haLevi
      • Ritual Murder and Blood Libel
      • The Ḥasidé Ashkenaz
      • Toledot Yeshu
      • Moses Maimonides, Philosopher
      • Moses Maimonides, Rabbi, Leader, Physician
      • Abraham Maimonides
      • Maimonidean Controversies
      • Host Desecration Libels
      • The Barcelona Disputation
      • Qabbala and the Zohar
      • The Cairo Geniza
      • The New Sephardi Identity
      • David Reubeni and Shelomo Molkho
      • Shabbatai Tzevi
      • Da Costa and Spinoza
      • Yiddish Texts
      • Ḥasidism
      • The Jewish Enlightenment
      • Modern Jewish Thinkers
    • Jewish Festivals and Recordings >
      • Shabbat Eve in Synagogue
      • Shabbat Eve at Home
      • Shabbat Morning
      • Purim
      • Omer Counting
      • Shabhu'oth
      • Tish'a beAv
      • The Month of Elul
      • Rosh haShana Eve in Synagogue
      • Rosh haShana Eve at Home
      • Rosh haShana Morning in Synagogue
      • Sukkot: Bendigamos
      • Ḥanukka
    • Jewish Thought >
      • On Modern Orthodoxy
      • Could Jews Accept the Prophets ​of Christianity and Islam?
    • Jewish Law >
      • A Mikwèh in Uganda
      • Shabbat Distance
  • ISLAM
    • Islam - Introduction
    • Islamic Dietary Laws
    • Torah and Qur'an >
      • Tafsîr Al-Tabarî
      • Tafsîr Al-Qurtubî
      • Tafsîr Al-Mîzān
    • Why Do Jews not Believe ​in the Prophet Muhammad?
    • Do Jews Follow the Sunna of Moses?
  • CHRISTIANITY
    • Christianity - Introduction
    • Jesus, the Jewish Messiah
    • Could Jews Accept Jesus as a Prophet?
    • Why do Jews not Accept Jesus as the Messiah?
  • (DIS)COURSES
    • Medieval Hebrew Texts (Course) >
      • Course Classes >
        • Introduction and Important Information
      • Paragraph Assignment >
        • Assignment Explanation
        • Original Text
        • Guidelines for your Paragraph Assignments
        • Finished Chapters >
          • Introduction
          • Chapter 1. Prior Legacies >
            • 1A. The Muslim Legacy
            • 1B. The Christian Legacy
            • 1C. The Jewish Legacy
          • Chapter 2. The Roman Catholic Church >
            • 2A. Theological Doctrine
            • 2B. Ecclesiastical Policies
            • 2C. Imagery of the Jews
            • 2D. Cultural Creativity
            • 2E. Looking Ahead
          • Chapter 3. The Older Jewries of the South >
            • 3A. Southern France
            • 3B. Christian Spain
          • Chapter 4. The Newer Jewries of the North >
            • 4A. Northern France
      • Essay Assignment
      • Syllabus
      • Prep Readings
    • The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom (Chapters)
    • Judeo-Arabic Philosophers
    • Sermons >
      • Rosh haShana >
        • Hardships That Generate Inspiration (2019)
        • Rosh haShana Meditation (2018)
        • Abraham’s Struggles and What We Can Learn From It (2014)
        • The Blessings of Monotheism (2013)
        • Rejecting Human Sacrifice (2012)
      • Yom Kippur >
        • Confession: Guilt Trip, or Acknowledgement? (2019)
        • Yom Kippur and Being Connected (2015)
        • Changing Your Brain (2014)
        • Grow Up and Become a Better Person (2012)
    • Holocaust Commemoration
  • UGANDA
  • عربي
  • NL
  • Contact

Masterpieces of Medieval Hebrew Literature 
​Syllabus Fall 2019

211_-_2020_fall_syllabus.pdf
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​HUNTER COLLEGE ‐ HEBR.211  -  Class Schedule Fall 2020
​
1)    Thursday, 08/27/2020                 Introduction
2)    Monday, 08/31/2020                   Origins of Christian Antisemitism
3)    Thursday, 09/03/2020                 Byzantine Judaism before the Advent of Islam (330‐634)
(((Monday, 09/07/2020 NO CLASS: LABOR DAY)))
4)    Thursday, 09/10/20209               Jews Under Islam
5)    Monday, 09/14/2020                  Byzantine Judaism after the Advent of Islam
6)    Thursday, 09/17/2020                Anan ben David (715‐795), Qara’ites
7)    Monday, 09/21/2020                 
Saadia Ga’on (882‐942)
8)    Thursday, 09/24/2020                
Saadia Ga’on - Continuation
(((Monday, 09/28/2020 NO CLASS: YOM KIPPUR / DAY OF ATONEMENT)))
9)    Tuesday, 09/29/2020                 
The Golden Age: Ḥasdái ibn Shaprūt (910‐970) 
10)  Thursday, 10/01/2020                
The Golden Age: Andalusian Poetry
11)  Monday, 10/05/2020                  
The Golden Age: Ibn Gabirol (1021‐1071)
12)  Thursday, 10/08/2020                
Christian‐Jewish Polemics
(((Monday, 10/12/2020 NO CLASS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY)))
13)  Wednesday, 10/14/2020             
The Crusades and Ma’oz Tzur
14)  Thursday, 10/15/2020                
Rashi (1040‐1105)
15)  Monday, 10/19/2020                  
Tosafot (ca. 1100 - ca. 1600)
16)  Thursday, 10/22/2020                
Yehuda haLevi (1075‐1141)
Sunday, 10/25/2020 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM ‐‐         
17)  Monday, 10/26/2020                  Abraham ibn Ezra (c. 1090 -  c. 1165)
18)  Thursday, 10/29/2020               
Ḥasidé Ashkenaz (ca. 1170-1238)  
Sunday, 11/01/2020 ‐‐ TAKE HOME MIDTERM EXAM ‐‐
19)  Monday, 11/02/2020                  
Ritual Murder and Blood Libel (1st incident 1144)
20)  Thursday, 11/05/2020                
Toledot Yeshu
21)  Monday, 11/09/2020                  
Moses Maimonides, the Philosopher (1135‐1204)
22)  Thursday, 11/12/2020                
Moses Maimonides, the Rabbi
23)  Monday, 11/16/2020                  
Abraham Maimonides (1186‐1237)
24)  Thursday, 11/19/2020                
The Maimonidean Controversy
25)  Monday, 11/23/2020                  Qabbala, Zohar, Moses de Leon (1240‐1305)
(((Thursday, 11/26/2020 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)))
Sunday, 11/29/2020 ‐‐ ESSAY DUE ‐‐
26)  Monday, 11/30/2020                  The Barcelona Disputation (1263)
27)  Thursday, 12/03/2020                 The New Sephardi Identity
28)  Thursday, 12/07/2020                 David Reubeni (1490‐1541), Shelomo Molkho (1500‐’32)
             Monday, 12/14/2020 -- FINALS --                             

​

​Hunter College
Department of Classical and Oriental Studies
Division of Hebrew and Hebraic Studies
​

Hebrew 211        Masterpieces of Medieval Hebrew Literature        Fall 2020
Mondays and Thursdays     9:45 - 11:00 AM      
Professor Sjimon den Hollander
Office Hours: By Appointment
PH:  (917) 805-6234
Email:      Sjimon@FlatironRE.com 
Website: www.SjimonDenHollander.com 


Course Description
This course will present a survey of Hebrew writings from the Middle Ages.  It will address the different genres of Jewish literature and their historical contexts, both from Jewish communities in Islamic lands as well as from those in Christian domains.

Course Objectives
  • Students will gain a familiarity with the different literary genres of Jewish writings from the Middle Ages.
  • Students will develop the skill of critical textual reading.
  • Students will learn how historical context is important in understanding texts and writings.
  • Students will develop the ability to compare texts from different periods and learn to identify common themes and types of writing.

Class Attendance Policy
Normal class attendance policies are suspended in light of the pandemic. You are encouraged to log in during the sessions and participate in the class with questions and discussions. If you are unable to participate live, you will be required to watch the – recorded – class later.

Code of Courtesy
Sign in on time. Give the professor your full attention. Have paper and a pen or a pencil ready. Remain logged in until the class ends. Never hesitate to ask a question, express a doubt, or request clarification.

Assigned Texts:
  • Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500. Cambridge University Press, 2006 (will be provided!)   
  • Blackboard Site
 
Further Expectations
  • Students are expected to attend all lectures on time, participate actively and to refrain from talking, passing notes or text messaging while class is in session.
  • Readings are to be completed before class on the day for which they are assigned.
  • The CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity will be strictly enforced. Any violation of these regulations, including acts of plagiarism or cheating will be dealt with on an individual basis according to the severity of the misconduct.
  • Finally, it is your responsibility to be alert and pay attention to announcements in this class.
    The syllabus, the sequence of lectures and the nature of the assigned work are all subject to change.
 
ASSIGNMENTS AND PERCENTAGES OF TOTAL GRADE:

Midterm Exam (25%) The exam will be a take-home exam and will cover material from the provided sources as well as from the lectures, covering through session 13 on Abraham Maimonides.

Final Exam (25%) The final exam will cover material from the second half of the course.

Written Assignment (15%) You are to write a clear excerpt of two assigned paragraphs from: Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500 (provided on Blackboard in PDF).  As this text is somewhat dense at times, you will be required to understand the text well, research anything that is unclear, and explain/rewrite the paragraphs so that anyone can understand it.  This will be part of a joint project in which each student will be assigned a section of the book.  Be concise with your words but cover the main contents as fully as possible.

Essay (20%) You are to write an essay on a topic of choice from the course, using information given in the class and in the provided sources related to that topic. 
This paper counts for 20% of your final grade. Your paper should be between three and four pages in length (double spaced). The paper should be related to one of the discussed topics. 
Both paper and assignment must be sent in Word or PDF to my email address: sjimon@flatironre.com before the end of the day on which the assignment is due.
​
Book Exam (15%) This exam will be on assigned chapters of Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500. Further details will be discussed in class.

Opportunities for Students:
Students of Jewish Studies at Hunter College have various opportunities to receive scholarships and merit-based awards to support their studies at Hunter, as well as in Israel.
In addition, the College offers financial award and recognition each year to students who have prepared exemplary essays or writing for a professor teaching courses in Hebrew, Hebraic or Jewish Studies. To see the application instructions, please choose this link: https://hunter.cuny.edu/artsci/jewish-studies-center/jewish-studies/scholarships-and-awards
​
  • Personal
    • Introduction
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • My Journey to Judaism
    • Testimonials
  • JUDAISM
    • Judaism - Introduction
    • Jewish History and Texts >
      • Paleo Hebrew
      • The Pentateuch
      • Stories of Creation
      • Stories of the Flood
      • Priestly Writings
      • Prophets of Israel and Judah
      • Biblical Poetry
      • Flavius Josephus
      • The Dead Sea Scrolls
      • Midrash
      • Oral Torah and Talmud
      • Origins of Christian Anti-Jewish Attitudes
      • Byzantine Jews Before the Advent of Islam
      • Yannai
      • Jews Under Islam
      • Byzantine Jews After the Advent of Islam
      • Qara'ites
      • Saadia Gaon
      • The Jewish Golden Age (part 1): Hasdai ibn Shaprut
      • The Jewish Golden Age (part 2) Andalusian Poetry
      • The Jewish Golden Age (part 3) Samuel haNagîd and Ibn Gabirol
      • Christian-Jewish Polemics
      • The Crusades and Maoz Tzur
      • Rashi
      • The Tosafists
      • Yehuda haLevi
      • Ritual Murder and Blood Libel
      • The Ḥasidé Ashkenaz
      • Toledot Yeshu
      • Moses Maimonides, Philosopher
      • Moses Maimonides, Rabbi, Leader, Physician
      • Abraham Maimonides
      • Maimonidean Controversies
      • Host Desecration Libels
      • The Barcelona Disputation
      • Qabbala and the Zohar
      • The Cairo Geniza
      • The New Sephardi Identity
      • David Reubeni and Shelomo Molkho
      • Shabbatai Tzevi
      • Da Costa and Spinoza
      • Yiddish Texts
      • Ḥasidism
      • The Jewish Enlightenment
      • Modern Jewish Thinkers
    • Jewish Festivals and Recordings >
      • Shabbat Eve in Synagogue
      • Shabbat Eve at Home
      • Shabbat Morning
      • Purim
      • Omer Counting
      • Shabhu'oth
      • Tish'a beAv
      • The Month of Elul
      • Rosh haShana Eve in Synagogue
      • Rosh haShana Eve at Home
      • Rosh haShana Morning in Synagogue
      • Sukkot: Bendigamos
      • Ḥanukka
    • Jewish Thought >
      • On Modern Orthodoxy
      • Could Jews Accept the Prophets ​of Christianity and Islam?
    • Jewish Law >
      • A Mikwèh in Uganda
      • Shabbat Distance
  • ISLAM
    • Islam - Introduction
    • Islamic Dietary Laws
    • Torah and Qur'an >
      • Tafsîr Al-Tabarî
      • Tafsîr Al-Qurtubî
      • Tafsîr Al-Mîzān
    • Why Do Jews not Believe ​in the Prophet Muhammad?
    • Do Jews Follow the Sunna of Moses?
  • CHRISTIANITY
    • Christianity - Introduction
    • Jesus, the Jewish Messiah
    • Could Jews Accept Jesus as a Prophet?
    • Why do Jews not Accept Jesus as the Messiah?
  • (DIS)COURSES
    • Medieval Hebrew Texts (Course) >
      • Course Classes >
        • Introduction and Important Information
      • Paragraph Assignment >
        • Assignment Explanation
        • Original Text
        • Guidelines for your Paragraph Assignments
        • Finished Chapters >
          • Introduction
          • Chapter 1. Prior Legacies >
            • 1A. The Muslim Legacy
            • 1B. The Christian Legacy
            • 1C. The Jewish Legacy
          • Chapter 2. The Roman Catholic Church >
            • 2A. Theological Doctrine
            • 2B. Ecclesiastical Policies
            • 2C. Imagery of the Jews
            • 2D. Cultural Creativity
            • 2E. Looking Ahead
          • Chapter 3. The Older Jewries of the South >
            • 3A. Southern France
            • 3B. Christian Spain
          • Chapter 4. The Newer Jewries of the North >
            • 4A. Northern France
      • Essay Assignment
      • Syllabus
      • Prep Readings
    • The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom (Chapters)
    • Judeo-Arabic Philosophers
    • Sermons >
      • Rosh haShana >
        • Hardships That Generate Inspiration (2019)
        • Rosh haShana Meditation (2018)
        • Abraham’s Struggles and What We Can Learn From It (2014)
        • The Blessings of Monotheism (2013)
        • Rejecting Human Sacrifice (2012)
      • Yom Kippur >
        • Confession: Guilt Trip, or Acknowledgement? (2019)
        • Yom Kippur and Being Connected (2015)
        • Changing Your Brain (2014)
        • Grow Up and Become a Better Person (2012)
    • Holocaust Commemoration
  • UGANDA
  • عربي
  • NL
  • Contact