Ein Ya'akov: The World of Talmudic Aggada

This course introduces the student to the literary and theological riches of the  world of Talmudic aggada. We focus on the aggadot of the first chapter of Massekhet Berakhot wich deals with many central issues in Jewish thought and life, including, the purpose and power of prayer, why bad things happen to good people and the very nature of God. We will explore both tradition and modern methods of confronting the morally, religiously and intellectually challenging ideas and images which the Talmud often presents in its aggadic passages.