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David Stern

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.

Read more

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

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

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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
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
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
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
Reading this book will provide a comprehensive overview of the history of the Jewish Bible, from its origins to its modern interpretations.
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
This comprehensive study Bible provides valuable insights and commentaries on the Jewish Bible, enriching your understanding.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Jewish Bible: Its History As A Physical Artifact.
This multi-volume history of the Bible that provides a comprehensive overview of the Bible's Entstehung und Entwicklung. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the Bible.
This comprehensive handbook that provides an overview of the current state of biblical scholarship. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible and its interpretation.
This new translation of the Hebrew Bible that is widely praised for its literary quality and its attention to the text's historical and cultural context. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to study the Bible in depth.
This classic commentary on the Torah that provides a clear and concise explanation of the text. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the meaning of the Torah.
This one-volume introduction to the Bible and its world. It provides a clear and concise overview of the Bible's history, literature, and theology. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible.
Provides a historical overview of the Bible from its origins in the ancient Near East to its use in the modern world. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible's impact on history.
This selection of Talmudic texts that provides a taste of the richness and diversity of this ancient Jewish legal and religious text. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Talmud.
This new translation of the Mishnah, the earliest rabbinic legal text. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to study the development of Jewish law.
This new translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of ancient Jewish texts that were discovered in the Qumran Caves in the 1940s and 1950s. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to study the development of early Judaism.
Explores the ethical dimensions of the Bible. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible's ethical teachings.
Explores the relationship between the Bible and science. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible's scientific implications.
Explores the political dimensions of the Bible. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible's political teachings.
Explores the gender dimensions of the Bible. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible's gender teachings.

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