Online Learning with David Bernat: Dead Sea Scrolls

Course Description:
In 1947, a Bedouin youth “stumbled upon” a cave with clay jars & a Hebrew parchment that found its way into Israel’s hands in an episode worthy of spy novelists such as John Le Carre or Daniel Silva.
Decades later a settlement by the Dead Sea, alongside 11 desert hillside caves was discovered. These caves contained thousands of documents providing crucial information about ancient Jewish history, tradition, & practice from approx 200 BCE & the time of the Maccabean Kings to 70 CE & the Roman conquest of Judea & destruction of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. The scrolls also clued us in to the transitions from the Torah to Rabbinic Literature, & the connections between early Judaism & nascent Christianity.
About David
David Bernat has a PhD in Biblical & Near Eastern Studies from Brandeis, with publications in areas such as Jewish ritual, & representations of violence & zealotry in ancient Jewish writings. David has held faculty positions at Wellesley College, Hebrew College Rabbinic School, & UMass Amherst. David also planned & led several study tours to Israel, focusing on history & archaeology. David has taught a winter/spring course at The Boston Synagogue every year since 2016, & we are excited to embark on this next journey with him.
Registration:
$325 payable to David Bernat directly via check by mail or Venmo.
Please contact the office to register office@bostonsynagogue.org