Welcome to the beginning of a new lecture series: an overview of Jewish texts of the Second Temple period and the Dead Sea Scrolls. In this first, introductory class, we explore what makes these texts special and why we should learn them. Join us as we discuss the different collections …
Join me for a close reading of the Treatise of the Two Spirits, a passage in the Community Rule that explains the …
In this episode, we explore texts from the Qumran community that emphasize responsibility for sin and freedom of choice, despite the sect’s …
In this episode, we look at two Dead Sea Scroll sectarian prayers — the Hodayot and the “Hymn of Praise” in the …
In this episode, we examine the idea of an evil inclination in Second Temple prayer. How did Jews in the Second Temple …
Why is the War Scroll more “universal” than other Qumran texts? Why does the attitude of the Qumran Community toward outsiders “change” …
In this episode, we discuss Belial’s role in the Damascus Document, an important rule text in the Dead Sea Scrolls. What are …
In this episode, we read the Dead Sea Scrolls — specifically, the Community Rule — closely and examine the Qumran community’s view of Belial and …
In this Shavuot “bonus” episode, we will discuss the special status of the Torah for fighting sin, in both Second Temple literature …
How did the author of Jubilees try to solve the “problem” of evil? In this episode we will explore how the story of the …
