The Jewish Bible: Its History As A Physical Artifact from edX

When studying the Jewish Bible and other historical works, the physical attributes—the form of the writing, whether it be scroll, codex, or simply a printed page layout, in addition to the size and shape—determine how we read the book and understand its meaning. Whether you are interested in literature or history, ancient or religious art and texts, or looking to deepen your understanding of religion and its impact on the world, this course will delve deeper into the Jewish Book as a physical object and spark desire to learn more about the materials as both artifact and religious content—enriching your understanding of the Jewish Bible, how it came to be, and its place today in a digital age.

In The Jewish Bible: Its History as a Physical Artifact, you will focus largely on the Torah Scroll—elaborate, handwritten scrolls that share the first five books of Moses, the first books of the Jewish Bible. The physical Torah has been a revered part of the Jewish community for centuries; there is even a tradition of touching the Torah as it is brought around the congregation as a sign of respect and paying homage to its history. In this course you will learn about the birth of the scrolls; their evolution from scrolls to codex; and the Jewish Bible through culture, history, and religion.

By exploring the ancient Hebrew Bibles that Jews have held in their hands, chanted in the synagogue, and studied in school and at home, you will be immersed in the history of the book as an artifact of other religions, and how Jews transformed the Bible over centuries using cultural and religious context. As you study the Bible as a physical book, you will learn how the materiality of the Jewish Book serves as an interface between the Hebrew text, history, and the modern world.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The importance of the jewish bible as a physical object
What the jewish book meant and still means for the jewish people, from the earliest rendering to the most complex layouts of jewish study bible pages
How the shape, script, and layout represent the cultural, political, intellectual, and religious changes of the jewish community in the context of the non-jewish cultures

How to read and interpret the context and meaning of the pages, from the earliest forms of codex through the digital age
The differences in the books that make up the jewish bible, and the page formats of the codex throughout history, encouraging your own reading and comparison between instances
How to appreciate ancient texts, using the bible as a physical object, through touch, smell, and written word—enhancing your appreciation for ancient wisdom, rituals, and rabbinic law

The importance of the jewish bible as a physical object
What the jewish book meant and still means for the jewish people, from the earliest rendering to the most complex layouts of jewish study bible pages
How the shape, script, and layout represent the cultural, political, intellectual, and religious changes of the jewish community in the context of the non-jewish cultures
How to read and interpret the context and meaning of the pages, from the earliest forms of codex through the digital age
The differences in the books that make up the jewish bible, and the page formats of the codex throughout history, encouraging your own reading and comparison between instances
How to appreciate ancient texts, using the bible as a physical object, through touch, smell, and written word—enhancing your appreciation for ancient wisdom, rituals, and rabbinic law

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores history through the lens of a central religious text, fostering a deeper understanding of both

Primarily focuses on the Torah Scroll, providing insights into the significance of the Jewish faith

Incorporates cultural, political, and intellectual perspectives, offering a comprehensive examination of the Jewish Bible

Equips learners with the ability to read and interpret ancient texts, fostering appreciation for their historical and cultural value

Guided by an instructor with expertise in the field, ensuring a high-quality learning experience

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Jewish Bible: Its History As A Physical Artifact with these activities:

Review the key concepts of the Jewish Bible

Show steps

Refreshing your knowledge of the key concepts of the Jewish Bible will strengthen your foundation for the course material.

Show steps

Review your notes from previous courses or readings.
Read summaries or articles about the key concepts.

Practice your Hebrew language skills

Show steps

Practicing your Hebrew language skills will enhance your ability to read and understand the Jewish Bible in its original language.

Browse courses on Hebrew Bible

Show steps

Review basic Hebrew grammar.
Read Hebrew texts.
Find a language partner or tutor.

Complete the 'Introduction to the Hebrew Bible' tutorial on Coursera

Show steps

This tutorial will provide a foundational understanding of the history, structure, and content of the Jewish Bible.

Show steps

Create a Coursera account.
Enroll in the 'Introduction to the Hebrew Bible' course.
Complete the tutorial.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Read: A History of the Bible: The Book and Its Faiths

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a comprehensive overview of the history of the Jewish Bible, from its origins to its modern interpretations.

View A History of the Bible: The Book and Its Faiths on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase or borrow the book.
Read the book in its entirety.
Take notes on the key points of each chapter.

Read: The Jewish Study Bible

Show steps

This comprehensive study Bible provides valuable insights and commentaries on the Jewish Bible, enriching your understanding.

View The Jewish Study Bible: Featuring The Jewish... on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase or borrow the book.
Read the book in its entirety.
Use the study notes and commentaries to enhance your understanding.

Join a study group or online forum for discussing the Jewish Bible

Show steps

Engaging with peers in discussions will expose you to diverse perspectives and challenge you to think critically about the Jewish Bible.

Show steps

Find a study group or online forum.
Introduce yourself and participate in the discussions.

Practice reading and translating Hebrew Bible passages

Show steps

Regular practice in reading and translating Hebrew Bible passages will enhance your familiarity with the language and improve your understanding of the text.

Browse courses on Hebrew Bible

Show steps

Find a Hebrew Bible passage online or in a physical book.
Use a Hebrew-English dictionary to translate the passage.
Compare your translation with a published translation.

Write a blog post or article about a topic related to the Jewish Bible

Show steps

By writing about a topic related to the Jewish Bible, you will synthesize your knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Show steps

Choose a topic that interests you.
Research the topic.
Write a draft of your blog post or article.
Edit and revise your draft.
Publish your blog post or article.

Career center

Learners who complete The Jewish Bible: Its History As A Physical Artifact will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Museum Educator

Museum Educators teach the public about the history and significance of museum collections. They may lead tours, give lectures, or develop educational programs. This course may be useful for Museum Educators who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to develop more engaging and informative programs for their audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Editor

Editors review and edit written content for clarity, accuracy, and consistency. They may work for publishers, magazines, newspapers, or other organizations. This course may be useful for Editors who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to make more informed decisions about the content they edit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Art historian

Art Historians study the history of art. They may work in museums, galleries, or academia. This course may be useful for Art Historians who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to better understand and appreciate Jewish art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art historian

Museum curator

Museum Curators oversee the care and display of museum collections. They may also conduct research and write about the collections. This course may be useful for Museum Curators who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to better care for and display Jewish Bibles and other related materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Teacher

Teachers help students learn about a variety of subjects. They may work in public schools, private schools, or other educational settings. This course may be useful for Teachers who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to develop more engaging and informative lesson plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Researcher

Researchers conduct original research in a variety of fields. They may work in academia, industry, or government. This course may be useful for Researchers who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to develop new insights and theories about this topic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes. They may write books, articles, speeches, or other types of text. This course may be useful for Writers who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to produce more accurate and informative works of writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Historian

Historians research and write about the past. They may work in academia, museums, or other institutions. This course may be useful for Historians who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to produce more accurate and informative works of history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical documents and artifacts. They may work in libraries, museums, or other institutions. This course may be useful for Archivists who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to better preserve and manage Jewish Bibles and other related materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They may work for newspapers, magazines, television stations, or other media outlets. This course may be useful for Journalists who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to write more accurate and informative articles about this topic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Librarian

Librarians help people find and access information. They may work in public libraries, school libraries, or special libraries. This course may be useful for Librarians who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to better assist patrons who are interested in this topic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Rabbi

Rabbis are Jewish religious leaders who provide spiritual guidance and instruction to their congregations. This course may be useful for Rabbis who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to better understand and interpret the Bible, and to provide more informed guidance to their congregations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rabbi

Theological Librarian

Theological Librarians manage and provide access to collections of religious materials. They may work in libraries, seminaries, or other religious institutions. This course may be useful for Theological Librarians who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to better serve the needs of their patrons.

See salaries and explore the career path for Theological Librarian

Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. This course may be useful for Professors who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to develop more engaging and informative lectures and courses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Cantor

Cantors are Jewish religious leaders who lead the congregation in prayer and song. This course may be useful for Cantors who wish to learn more about the history of the Jewish Bible and its physical form. This knowledge can help them to better understand and interpret the Bible, and to lead more meaningful services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cantor