ARAMAIC B / HDS 4060 – Targumic Aramaic
Semester: Spring
Offered: 2026
Course Head: David Stern
Instructor: Tzipporah Machlah Klapper
Meeting Time: TBA
Targumic Aramaic is designed to improve the student’s ability to work with ancient Aramaic texts. The Aramaic texts studied in this course will be selected from the major Targums – Targums Onqelos, Neofiti, Pseudo-Jonathan, and others. Class-time will be devoted primarily to reading and analyzing the selected texts. In addition to emphasizing Aramaic vocabulary, morphology, and syntax, this course will explore the exegetical practices of the targumists in their respective Targums. Students will attain reading proficiency in Targumic Aramaic and experience the rich but complex literary nature of the Targums.
Course Notes: Two years of biblical Hebrew, or the equivalent. Aramaic or Syriac preferred but not required.
Jointly Offered with: Harvard Divinity School as HDS 4060
For more details please visit the Harvard Course Catalog.