Dr. Jason Gaines, “The Hidden Poetry of the Five Books of Moses,” Oct. 27
Jewish sacred texts, Shabbat liturgy, and lifecycle ceremonies are written in the unique and fascinating language of Hebrew poetry. On Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., author and Biblical scholar Dr. Jason Gaines will speak about this intriguing subject at ýƵƹۿ.
Free and open to the public, the lecture, entitled “The Hidden Poetry of the Five Books of Moses,” is sponsored by ýƵƹۿ’s Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. It will take place in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room.
The lecture coincides with the publication of “The Poetic Priestly Source,” Dr. Gaines’ study of poetic material in the Five Books of Moses. In the lecture, he will introduce the genre of ancient Hebrew poetry and showcase its unique beauty, allowing a deeper appreciation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), prayer books, and Jewish holiday rituals. He will also present his research uncovering a previously unrecognized poetic layer in the Torah, a 2,500-year-old “hidden poem” that spans from Genesis through Deuteronomy.
Dr. Gaines teaches Hebrew Bible and religious studies at ýƵƹۿ and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He received a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, and an MA and PhD in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University.
His book, “The Poetic Priestly Source,” was recently published by Fortress Press.
Reservations requested. Call (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066 or email bennettcenter@fairfield.edu . For information on other Bennett Center events, visit .
