Barry Scott Wimpfheimer
Barry Wimpfheimer | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Yeshiva University (MA) Columbia University (PhD) |
| Years active | 2000-present |
| Awards | National Jewish Book Award (2018) |
Barry Scott Wimpfheimer is an American scholar of the Talmud and Rabbinic literature. He is an associate professor at Northwestern University and chair of its department of religious studies.[1]
Biography
Wimpfheimer grew up in an Orthodox Jewish household in New York City, New York and began studying the Talmud in 5th grade.[2][3] He earned his BA from Columbia University and MA from Yeshiva University in Talmudic studies. He received his rabbinic ordination in 2000.[4] He then earned a PhD from Columbia in religion, studying under David Halivni.[4] His work has focused on the Babylonian Talmud as a work of law and literature.[3][5]
Wimpfheimer's book on the history and evolution of the Talmud, The Talmud: A Biography (2018) won a National Jewish Book Award in 2018.[6] He argued that the Talmud can be read in three different ways: the essential Talmud, which sees the Talmud as a work of religious literature produced at a certain historical period; the enhanced Talmud, which sees the text as the central canonical work of Judaism after the Destruction of the temple; and the emblematic Talmud, which sees the scripture as the primary symbol of Jews, Judaism, and Jewishness.[3][2]
Wimpfheimer also teaches an online introductory Talmud course via Coursera.[7] He is the co-editor of Prooftexts: A Journal of Jewish Literary History.[8]
References
- ↑ "Barry Wimpfheimer: Department of Religious Studies - Northwestern University". religious-studies.northwestern.edu. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- 1 2 "A New 'Biography' of the Talmud Argues That The Text Is More Important Now Than Ever Before". Tablet Magazine. April 10, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- 1 2 3 "Northwestern professor offers a 'biography' of the Talmud". Chicago Tribune. September 11, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- 1 2 "BARRY SCOTT WIMPFHEIMER curriculum vitae" (PDF). Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ↑ Tenorio, Rich. "New Talmud 'biography' seeks to bring the foundational text to life". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ↑ "The Talmud: A Biography | Jewish Book Council". www.jewishbookcouncil.org. 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ↑ "Looking for online educational opportunities? Learn all about The Talmud in Professor Barry Wimpfheimer's free online course: Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies - Northwestern University". jewish-israel-studies-center.northwestern.edu. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ↑ "Prooftexts". Indiana University Press. Retrieved June 1, 2022.