JST 529 - Jewish and Christian Interpretations of the Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a heritage shared by Jews and Christians in common. In this course, major portions of the Torah will be studied from both the Jewish and Christian points of view, to discover where the two traditions are parallel and where they differ. Topics to be explored include: the Jewish and Christian views of Creation; Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; the significance of Abraham; the Exodus from Egypt and the concept of redemption; ritual sacrifice and its symbolism; mitzvot, law and faith; and Moses as a symbol of prophetic leadership. Classical Rabbinic interpretations of the Torah will be compared with early Christian interpretations, as well as modern Jewish and Christian understandings of the Biblical text.