Introduction to the Literature and History of the Bible - Pentateuch (Torah) 3600-HE-WLHBT-OW

Besides the historical guide to the classical Hebrew literature (from the Hebrew Bible to the Qumran Scrolls) and its interpretation, the course has to get acquire students with the basic knowledge of hermeneutics and exegesis. The place and role of the classical Hebrew Literature in the modern European literature will be shown on some chosen examples.
Main topics:
1. Introduction (place of the Bible in the contemporary culture - Judaism, Christianity, Samaritans, Islam, modern sects).
2. Formation of the text, books and canons of the Bible and the problem of the authorship.
3. The Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant). History of its translations (Septuagint, Peshitta, Vulgate, Targumim, Polish translations)
4 Cultural and geographic context of the Bible.
5. Origin and the development of the early Jewish tradition (religion of the patriarchs, problem of the sources of the Pentateuch).
6. Stories of the patriarchs, on the background of civilization in Mesopotamia (XX / XIX century BC) and in Egypt (XVIII / XVI century BC).
7. Beginning of the Mosaic Religion (problem of the historicity of biblical events).
8 The main hypotheses of the emergence of Israel in Canaan. Characteristics of the culture and mythology of Canaan and its impact on the development of the literary tradition in Israel.
9. Literary forms and types used in the composition of the Pentateuch (prehistory and the mythologies).
10. Torah and the covenant theology. The history of the interpretation of the Pentateuch (ancient, medieval and modern times) .