Department head's message
Prof. Arnon Atzmon (married and father of five)
Head of the Multidisciplinary Program since 2022
Holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and Computer Science from Bar-Ilan University, as well as a master's degree and a doctorate in Talmud from Bar-Ilan University.
A surprising fact about you:
Hobby: In my childhood, I was very fond of soccer and excelled at it; I even had the opportunity to play in the jersey of one of the youth teams of the prestigious Manchester United. Nowadays, I fulfill this passion by watching European soccer with my children.
Additionally, I am a fan of thriller literature, especially Scandinavian.
What did you want to be when you were a child? Is there a connection to your research field today?
In my childhood, I thought about becoming a soccer player and later a doctor and a high-tech professional. However, during my studies at the Hesder Yeshiva in Har Etzion, I became very connected to Torah studies and even completed my rabbinical ordination. Today, I research ancient aggadic midrashim, and recently my book on a cryptic midrash titled "Pesikta D'Rav Kahana," which had almost been lost from the Jewish literary canon, was published.
Share with us a unique or funny experience from your student life or your academic journey:
After completing my bachelor's degree in Economics and Computer Science, I served for several years as a teacher and educator in high school while simultaneously pursuing my master's degree in Talmud to broaden my horizons.In one of the seminars I attended, I presented a presentation and was subsequently invited to the office of the lecturer, Professor Tavori, who spoke with me about continuing academic work in the field, and that was what changed the course of my life.
What is the last book you read? Which book have you read more than once? What are the three essential books that are a must-read in your department?
The last book I read is "Life is Just a Period" by Hanoch Daum, a funny, witty, and intelligent book.
What is the most surprising country you have reached thanks to your research, and in what context?
The closest connection I have made is with a group of young researchers from the Netherlands (Amsterdam and Utrecht) who conducted a comparative study between the parables of Jesus and early Christianity and parables in Rabbinic literature.
If you weren’t in academia, you would be...
In high-tech.
Who among the pioneers in your field, your teachers, or perhaps even among the students, has inspired you, caused you to change your mind, or sparked your thoughts or actions?
Professor Yosef Tavori (if you’ve read the interview from the beginning, you’ll understand why..).
Feel free to write to me: arnon.atzmon@biu.ac.il
