This new Florence Melton School Scholars course will survey the dramatic events of the fourth book of the Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers in English), which describes Israel's fateful journey through the wilderness of Sinai. Through analysis of biblical texts, artwork and related commentaries old and new, students will explore the timeless nature of these stories. How can the lessons learned from the past be applied to solving the communal challenges of the present and the future? Bamidbar introduces significant literary tools often used by scholars in the study of the Bible, and invites participants to revisit and rethink commonly held beliefs about the perceived heroes and rebels of the biblical narrative.

 

Instructor: Ellie Miller

Fee: $350, includes reader. Tanakh (bible) required