MA Honors 2014/15

Supervisor:  Prof. Eli Lederhendler

Abstract: The establishment and development of the Conservative Movement, as founded and promoted by American olim, and how it has had to adjust to the realities and desires of Israeli society. 

Supervisor: Moshe Slohovsky

Abstract: My research deals with charlatans, medicine sellers who worked on stages in the market squares and streets, in 17th century Paris. Using texts documenting the performances of the most successful and well known duo of charlatans at the time I seek to position the phenomena in its context in terms of both history of medicine and history of theater. My goal is to understand how and why charlatans fashioned their unique style of performance, and what about it was appealing for their audience and customers.

Bio: I did my B.A. and M.A. in history in the Hebrew University. Co-editor of the journal “Hayo Haya – Young Forum for History”.

Presidential stipend 2016/17

Supervisor: Dr. Eitan Grossman

Abstract: Middle Persian is a southwestern Iranian language, documented from the second century BCE to the ninth century CE. In my thesis I will use a large Middle Persian corpus to examine the valency patterns of approximately 70 verbs and describe the argument structure properties of different valency patterns in Middle Persian.

Supervisor: Prof. Zeev Weiss

Supervisor: Dr. Caterina Rigo

Abstract: The purpose of my research is to analyze R. Hillel of Verona's unique approach to the topic of 'Original Sin', which is influenced both by Christian Scholasticism and Aristotelian rationalism in 13th century Italy. It appears that R. Hillel was the first Jewish philosopher who dedicated a separate and lengthy philosophical treatise to the idea of 'Original Sin' and to the question whether such sin is the cause of human mortality. In my research I aim to show, based on a philological-historical analysis, that R. Hillel created a unique interpretation to the idea of 'Original Sin', which combines both Aristotelian and Neoplatonic philosophies, and which is framed as a constant dialogue with the writings of his contemporary: the Christian scholar Thomans Aquinas. Furthermore, I will suggest that R. Hillel's course of discussion within a broader reference to Christian beliefs, reflects an important aspect of Jewish-Christian debate in 13th century Italy, not yet discussed academically. As part of my research, I will also prepare a critical edition to R. Hillel's treatise on 'Original Sin'.

Supervisor: Miriam Goldstein

Supervisor: Prof. Yosef Garfinkel

Abstract: In 701 BCE, an Assyrian conquest lead by King Sennacherib reached Judah and brought destruction upon the settlements of the Judean Foothills. The common conception in research is that the Judean settlement in the Shephelah did not recover after this conquest. Recent excavations at Tel Lachish challange these conceptions regarding the extent of the Judean city in the 7th century BCE. Since Lachish was the cheif centre of the Shephelah, the extent of its resettlement reflects on this process in the entire region. The settlement pattern of the Judean Shephelah during this period is thus also reconsidered. 

The current project aims at a balanced picture of the settlement pattern in the Judean Foothills after the Assyrian conquest. The main issues that are explored are: when, where and how the Judean presence in the Shephelah recovered during the seventh century BC. This paper is a product of interdisciplinary research using evidence from archeological excavations, archaeological surveys, historical geography, Biblical sources, and other ancient historical records. The focal point of research is Lachish.