Assignment 1

1. Before you meet with your study partner, read the three Talmudic examples for this week: Mishnah Sample 1, Mishnah Avot, and Talmud Sample 1. Try to answer the questions at the bottom of each excerpt. Summarize the major points of each excerpt.

2. In addition, try to answer the following questions:
a) What is the source of authority for these documents? Why should anyone follow them?
b) Do the documents relate to the written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible)? If so, how?
c) Does this seem like sacred text to you? Why or why not? What should a "sacred text" look or sound like?

Write down your ideas before your meet with your study partner.

3. Compare your ideas with those of your study partner. Discuss points of disagreement or different ideas about the main points of the text. Together work through the text again and try to come to an agreement about main points. Then go through points a -c together. Discuss the different ideas you both have. Can they be reconciled? Is one argument compelling enough to change the other's mind? Or do points of disagreement remain?

4. Write a 1-2 page paper describing your discussion. Include a brief description of how you arrived at your answers together (or if major disagreements remain, what are they?).

5. Bring to class to discuss and then turn in: (a) your individual responses and (b) your partner response