The discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls in the caves of Qumran could be considered the most remarkable archaeological find of the past century. This course explores the archeology, publication, content, and interpretations of the historical period of the scrolls.

Compact discs. "Course no. 6362." Twenty-four lectures lasting 30 minutes each.

Lecture 1.The discoveries and their significance -- Lecture 2. The first seven scrolls -- Lecture 3. Opening and reading the first scroll -- Lecture 4. The historical backdrop of ancient Judaism -- Lecture 5. The rise of the Jewish sects -- Lecture 6. The Dead Sea site of the Qumran sect -- Lecture 7. The emergence of the rabbinic system -- Lecture 8. A Dead Sea scroll from medieval Cairo -- Lecture 9. Pesher interpretation: prophecy read anew -- Lecture 10. The war scroll and other apocalyptic texts -- Lecture 11. Biblical manuscripts at Qumran -- Lecture 12. Alternative views of Qumran and the scrolls. Lecture 13. Stops and starts en route to publication -- Lecture 14. The Qumran vision for a new temple -- Lecture 15. Daily life at Qumran -- Lecture 16. The Halakhic letter: rituals define the sect -- Lecture 17. The Qumran biblical canon -- Lecture 18. The Qumran calendar -- Lecture 19. Jewish scholars and Qumran ritual practices -- Lecture 20. Prayers, hymns, and the synagogue -- Lecture 21. Qumran Hebrew as an anti-language -- Lecture 22. The enigma of the copper scroll -- Lecture 23. Connections to Christianity -- Lecture 24. Scroll fragments and a new view of Judaism.