Classical Jewish Texts ST, WT
How has a 3,000 year-old collection of love poems, the Song of Songs from the Jewish Bible, continued to give rise to vigorous and dynamic religious traditions? By interpretation! This course will introduce a wide variety of classical post-biblical Jewish interpretations of these poems, focusing on ethics, spirituality, self-identity, and poetics. While this collection of love poems seems very "secular" to most modern readers, it was called "the holy of holies" by the Rabbis. In this class, we'll see exactly why. Readings will consist of a combination of primary texts (in translation) and secondary sources. (Students seeking a general introduction to Judaism are encouraged to take RELI 0160.) 3 hrs. lect.