JWST 347 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Yeshiva, Pilpul, Talmud

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Jewish Studies
• Course: JWST 347
• Professor: Rachel Manekin

Document Summary

In the bible-the purpose of study was remembrance: the ideal type was the priest (= kohen) and the prophet. In the rabbinic period the study of torah became a major obligation: authority shifted from priest and prophet to scholar. Talmud study= major focus of male education in europe: taught to boys in heder (one room school) starting between 8-10 years of age. In medieval europe, talmud was studied in yeshiva- talmudical academy: main purpose of study= resolving religious legal questions, led to the development of different methods of study. The yeshiva in medieval ashkenaz (german speaking lands) In middle ages the ashkenazi yeshivah was mostly a private institution with no connection to the community. Purpose was to train individuals to become rabbis and make halakhic (pertaining to jewish law) decisions: communities hired rabbis for three years and could be renewed. Was a communal institution supported by the community with the communal rabbi as its head.