This is the "official" course website. Some items will be
repeated on the HILR Canvas course website for your convenience.
  Course Content:   
  1. HILR Course Catalog entry (pdf)
  2. Longer course description (pdf)
  3. Welcome letter (pdf)
  Reading in Preparation for Meetings:  

Week 1: February 27, 2023: Background  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 2: March 6, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 3: March 13, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 4: March 27, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 5: April 3, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 6: April 10, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 7: April 17, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 8: April 24, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 9: May 1, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

Week 10: May 8, 2023: Something  (pdf)

Some text about the week's subject

Slides from class (arrow keys to advance, return)

  Additional resources:  
  • The Jewish Study Bible online: you can access the JSB online with your Harvard Library privileges. See these instructions: [howto pdf] [URL]
  • Harvard course on the Hebrew Bible (Shaye Cohen) [link]
  • Yale course on the Hebrew Bible (Christine Hayes) [link; click on "sessions"]
  • Timelines:
    • Overview of Biblical Eras: [link]
    • Basic Ideas Timeline: [link]
    • Advanced Ideas Timeline: [link]
    • Index of Timelines: [link]
  • An excellent book about the rapid growth of Christianity: Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity (1997) [Amazon]
  • Stephen Mitchell's introduction to his translation of the Book of Job [link]
  Fundamental facts:  
  1. Jesus was a Jew who preached to other Jews about how to be good Jews.
  2. Prior to Christianity, religion had nothing to do with what you believed; you belonged if you participated in the ritual life of the community. Rabbinic Judaism continued this tradition.