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Department of Jewish Studies

DeadSeaScrolls 01:563:340
(cross-listed with 01:840:340)

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls represents one of the most dramatic archaeological finds of the 20th century. Since their discovery in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls have been the subject of intense study and debate, and have profoundly influenced the way in which we understand the Jewish sects of the Second Temple period, the origins of Christianity, and the rise of Rabbinic Judaism. In this class we will examine all of the major Dead Sea Scrolls, along with many of the more fragmentary ones, as we attempt to understand their historical context, in addition to their significance for later Jewish and Christian traditions. All readings are in English.

Spring 2024 taught by Prof. Gary Rendsburg

Spring 2024 Syllabus

Have questions? You can email Prof. Gary Rendsburg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Statement on Addressing Antisemitism
The Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University addresses antisemitism by teaching students of all backgrounds about the complex history, and the changing manifestations and consequences, of antisemitism. Students are encouraged to engage thoughtfully with these subjects in courses such as Antisemitism; History of the Holocaust; Between Nazism and Communism; Jews, Heretics, and the Inquisition; Holocaust Memory; Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medieval Spain; Modern Jewish History; and many others. The faculty works assiduously to create a safe intellectual environment for all Rutgers students to learn about these and other challenging subjects.