• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary

  • Home
  • OUR PROGRAMS
    • Smicha Program
    • Innovation & Synagogue Engagement
    • Certificate in Jewish Innovation
    • LGBTQ+ Jewish Studies Micro-Credential
    • Join the Community Beit Midrash
  • Apply for 2027
    • Admissions Requirements
    • Tuition: Making Seminary Affordable
    • Application Steps
    • Student Application
    • Early Enrollment
  • Get To Know Us
    • 2026 Course Catalogue
    • You Belong Here
    • More Than Online Smicha
    • Student Testimonials
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Educators & Administrative Leadership
    • Meet Our Students
    • Substack
    • Podcast
    • Merch
  • Current Students
    • Log In
    • Student Program Calendar
    • Course Progress Page
  • Alumni
    • Meet Our Alumni
    • Alumni Association
    • Alumni Portal
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Log In

Midrash

April 20, 2022

About This Course

This six-unit course is on Midrash as a literary genre and consists of six units. Each unit includes a prerecorded lecture by Jonathan Reich as well as a handout.

Through this course students will learn the background, history, theory and architecture of Midrash and Midrash in reading before studying and interpreting Midrash texts.

Students will receive half (.5) credit for completing this course

Course overview

Unit 1 – Introduction to Midrash

Unit 2 – Mechanics of Midrash

Unit 3 – Midrashim on Cain and Abel

Unit 4 – Midrashim on Abraham (Part 1 of 2)

Unit 5 – Midrashim on Abraham (Part 2 of 2)

Unit 6 –A collection of interesting Midrashim

Course Objective

Through video lessons and reading of different Midrash texts as well as short quizzes this course aims to give you a better understanding of Midrash as a genre. Furthermore, students will learn the theory and meaning of Midrash as well as techniques to interpretated as well as to understand any Midrash.

Assessment

Assessments for this course will include one quiz for each unit.

Your Instructor

Jonathan T. Reich
Jonathan T. Reich was born and raised in the Gateway City and attended Washington University in St. Louis. He earned a MA from the Harvard Divinity School, and also studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as the Harvard University department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He lives in Somerville, MA with his wife Stefanie and daughter Meret.

Students Also Enjoyed

  • Mishnah
  • Yerushalmi

Ratings and Reviews

5.0
Avg. Rating
10 Ratings
5
10
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
What's your experience? We'd love to know!
Login to Review
Miriam Feiler
Posted 4 weeks ago
Another 5-star review!

Jonathan T. Reich is an excellent teacher and guide throughout this course. The text-rich study was accessible and explained the rabbinic techniques of creating midrash.

×
Preview Image
Helpful?
Susanna Bluhm
Posted 6 months ago
Great teacher

These are very thoughtful, well-organized lectures, delivered in an intentional, personable way. (This instructor is not just reading from notes.) I learned so much.

×
Preview Image
Helpful?
Megan Micco
Posted 9 months ago
Engaging teaching about Midrash

This course really inspired me by teaching core fundamentals of Midrashic technique. I feel like I have a better understanding of the subject and am eager to engage with more Midrashic texts. The material was cogent and easily accessible. Recommned

×
Preview Image
Helpful?
Show more reviews
What's your experience? We'd love to know!
Login to Review

Primary Sidebar

Footer

CONTACT US

Phone: (914) 294-4910

Email: support@jewishpluralism.org

ADDRESS

Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary
PO Box 1641
Midlothian, VA 23113

FOLLOW US ONLINE

YouTube

Facebook

OUR SISTER WEBSITE

Darshan Yeshiva

Beginner Jewish learning and conversion to Judaism

Copyright © 2026 PLURALISTIC RABBINICAL SEMINARY. All rights reserved.