Prof. Arnon Atzmon

דוא"ל
arnon.atzmon@biu.ac.il
תחומי עניין

Main Research Interests

  1. Philological analysis of rabbinic literature, especially Midrash and Aggadah.
  2. Midrash Esther.
  3. Pesikta De-Rav Kahana.
  4. Midrash Psalms.
    קורות חיים

    Curriculum Vitae      

    Education, Certificates and Degrees

    Year

    Degree

    Institute

    Area of Specialty

    1996

    B.A.

    Bar-Ilan

    finance and computing

    1999

    M.A.

    Bar-Ilan

    Talmud

    2006

    Ph.D.

    Bar-Ilan

    Talmud

    Doctoral thesis: Esther Rabbah II – Towards a Critical Edition

    Advisor:  Prof. Joseph Tabory

    Positions Held:

    From-To

    Institute

    Research Area

    Title

    2006-2010

    Bar-Ilan University

    Talmud

    Instructor

    2010-2016

    Bar-Ilan University

    Talmud

    Lecturer

    2016-2021

    Bar-Ilan University

    Talmud

    Senior Lecturer

    -2022

    Bar-Ilan University

    Talmud

    Associate Professor

     

     

    Participation in National and International Scientific Conferences

    Conference

    Place and Date

    Title of Paper/Lecture

    1. The 14th Congress of WUJS

    Jerusalem, 2005

    “Haggadah de-Megillat Esther: Toward the Anthologist’s Methodology” [HEB].

    1. The International Conference of the Department of Talmud in Bar-Ilan University

    Ramat-Gan, 2006

    “The Neo-Classical Late Midrash: Redaction and Formation” [HEB].

    1. The VIIIth EAJS Congress

    Moscow, 2006

    “Old Wine in New Flasks: The Story of Late Neo-Classical Midrash”.

    1. EABS Meeting

    Budapest, 2006

    “Mordekhai’s Dream: From Addition to Derasha”.

    1. International Meeting of SBL

    Vienna, 2007

    “Midrashic Targum or Targumic Midrash”.

    1. EABS Meeting

    Lisbon, 2008

    “The Esther Scroll: A Journey between Identities”.

    1. The Annual Conference of The Department of Talmud in Bar-Ilan University

    Ramat Gan, 2009

    “Between Rabbinical Interpretation and Popular Perception: The case of Esther Scroll” [HEB].

    1. The 15th Congress of WUJS

    Jerusalem, 2009

    “Methodological Considerations in the Editing of Rabbinic Texts: Midrash Esther Rabbah II” [HEB].

    1. The AJS 41St Annual Conference

    Los Angeles, 2009

    “’The Wise Woman from Saida’ – The Silent Dialogue Between Aggadah and Halakhah Regarding Women and Marriage”.

    1. “Aggadah and its Commentaries,” International conference of Bar-Ilan University and Touro College

    Ramat Gan, 2010

    “The ‘Ot-Emet’ commentary on the Midrashim” [HEB].

    1. The IX Congress of the EAJS

    Ravenna, 2010

    “’The Same Fate Is in Store for the Righteous and the Wicked’: Form and Content in Midreshei Aggadah”.

    1. The AJS 42nd Annual Conference

    Boston, 2010

    “’In the Third Month’ – Towards Pesikta de-Rav Kahana’s Essence and Redaction”.

    1. “Midreshei Aggada in Eretz Israel and Their Proliferation,” International Conference, Yad Ben Zvi

    Jerusalem, 2011

    “The Piska’ot on the Book of Exodus in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana” [HEB].

    1. International Meeting of SBL

    Amsterdam, 2012

    “The Tanhuma And the Pesikta”.

    1. The Bible from Inside and Out, Haifa University

    Haifa, 2012

    “Puzzling Parallels: Parshat Ha-omer in Letivicus Rabbah and Pesikta de-Rav Kahana”.

    1. “Literary Readings in Midrash and Aggada - in memory of Prof. Yona Fraenkel, Ben-Gurion University and Schechter Institute

    Beer Sheva, 2013

    “The Origin and Emergence of the Pesikta” [HEB].

    1. The 16th WCJS

    Jerusalem, 2013

    “Pesikta Material in Tanhuma Literature to Bamidbar” [HEB].

    1. The X Congress of the EAJS

    Paris, 2014

    “Editing and Meaning in Pesikta Rabbati and Tanhuma Midrash on ‘Vayehi Beyom Calot Moshe’ (num. 7:1)”.

    1. EABS International Meeting

    Córdoba, 2015

    “The ‘Eikhah’ Piskah in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana: Between Editorship and Authorship”.

    1. EABS International Meeting

    Leuven 2016

    The Redactor’s Invisible Hand: The Case of Piska 19 in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana”.

    1. The 17th Congress of WUJS

    Jerusalem, 2017

    “The Original Order of Pesikta de-Rav Kahana” [HEB].

    1. Distinguished Lecture and Seminar in the Dept. of Philosophy and Religious Studies of Utrecht University

    Utrecht, 2017

    “Parables of the Pesikta – between text and context”.

    1. NAPH Conference

    Amsterdam, 2018

    “Exegesis and Literary Editing in Midrash on Psalms”.

    1. The XI Congress of the EAJS

    Krakow, 2018

    “From Aggadic Traditions to Literary Forms: The Case of the Pesikta and the Midrash on Psalms”.

    1. “Power of Parables: Narrative and Religious Identity in Late Antiquity”- International Conference

    Utrecht, 2019

    “Parables of Midrash Tehilim: Between Text and Context”.

    1. International Meeting of SBL

    Rome, 2019

    “Interpretation and Literary Editing in Midrash Psalms – Moses’ Prayer”.

    1. “Generations: The Evolution and Transmission of Rabbinic Text” - Research Workshop of The Israel Science Foundation

    Ramat-Gan, 2019

    “Midrash Tehilim on Psalm 90 – Moshe's prayer” [HEB].

    1. Distinguished Lecture and Seminar in the Facultatea de Litere, Universitatea din Bucuresti

    Bucharest, 2019

    “The Aggadic Midrashim - between Israel and Babylon”.

     

    Organized National and International Scientific Conferences

    Conference

    Place and Date

    Title of Paper/Lecture

    “Aggadah and its Commentaries,” International conference of Bar-Ilan University and Touro College

    Ramat Gan, 2010

    “The ‘Ot-Emet’ commentary on the Midrashim” [HEB].

    “Midreshei Aggada in Eretz Israel and Their Proliferation,” International Conference, Yad Ben Zvi

    Jerusalem, 2011

    “The Piska’ot on the Book of Exodus in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana” [HEB].

    “Generations: The Evolution and Transmission of Rabbinic Text” - Research Workshop of The Israel Science Foundation

    Ramat-Gan, 2019

    “Midrash Tehilim on Psalm 90 – Moshe's prayer” [HEB].

    Funding Sources

    Period

    Funding Agency

    Title

    Amount

    2017-2020

    ISF 1907/17

    The Evolution and Textual Transmission of Midrash Tehilim – Individual Research Grant

    300,000 NIS

    2019

    ISF 912/19

    Generations: The Evolution and Transmission of Rabbinic Text – Research Workshop Grant

    70,000 NIS

    2020

    ISF 54/20

    My Children, Read this Passage Every Year: Composition and

    Meaning in Pesikta De-Rav Kahana – Publication Grant

    27,000 NIS

    2016-2021

    A research grant from the Beit Shalom-Kyoto fund.

    The creation, Redaction, and Textual Transmission of Midrash

    67,000 NIS

    Awards and Honors

    Date

     

    2002- 2005

    Bar-Ilan's President Scholarship for distinctive doctoral students.

    2002

    Grant from the Zoltan & Lea Gaspar foundation.

    2003

    Grant from the Herzog Foundation.

    2006

    An International Fellowship in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Culture Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture.

    2007-2008

    A research grant from The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies.

    2010

    A research grant from keren Barzilai for bibliographic studies.

    2011

    A research grant from The Sander and Samuel Kolatch Graduate Program in Talmudic and Rabbinic Studies.

    2013

    A research grant from The IHEL foundation in Bar-Ilan University.

    2014

    A research grant from The Sander and Samuel Kolatch Graduate Program in Talmudic and Rabbinic Studies.

    2016–2021

    A research grant from the Beit Shalom-Kyoto fund.

    פרסומים

    List of Publications

    1. Books as author:
    1. Midrash Esther Rabbah: Critical Edition Based on Manuscripts, with an Introduction, References, Variant Readings and Commentary, by J. Tabory and A. Atzmon, Jerusalem: The Midrash Project of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, 2014 (417 pp.) [HEB].
    2. My Children, Read this Passage Every Year: Composition and Meaning in Pesikta De-Rav Kahana, Jerusalem: Magnes Press (410 pp.) [HEB].
    3.  
    1. Books as Editor:
    1. A. Atzmon, A. Grossman, N. Ilan, M. Shmidman & J. Tabory (eds.,) Carmi Sheli: Studies on Aggadah and its Interpretation Presented to Professor Carmi Horowitz, New York: Touro University Press, 2012 (258 pp.) [HEB].
    2. A. Atzmon and T. Shaphir (eds.,) Ke-Tavor Be-Harim: Studies in Rabbinic Literature Presented to Joseph Tabory, Alon Shevut: Tevunot Press, 2013 (463 pp.) [HEB].
    1. Articles and Chapters in Books:
      1. A. Atzmon, “Late Neo-Classical Midrash: Redaction and Formation,” in:  Melekhet Mahshevet: Studies in the Redaction and Development of Talmudic Literature, A. Amit and A. Shemesh (eds.), Ramat-Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press, 2011, pp. 87–99. [HEB]
      2. A. Atzmon, “Haman and The Satan, are one: On the development of a Narrative-Midrash on the Esther Scroll,” in: Carmi Sheli: Studies on Aggadah and its interpretation Presented to Prof. Carmi Horowitz, J. Tabory et al. (eds.), New York: Touro University Press, 2012, pp. 166–176. [HEB]
    2. Articles in Periodicals (refereed articles):
    1. A. Atzmon, “Ma’aseh Esther in Pirke deRabbi Eliezer and in Midrash Esther Rabbah II: Towards Establishing the Relationship between Parallels in Midrashic Literature,” Tarbiz LXXV, 3–4 (2006), pp. 329–344 [HEB].
    2. A. Atzmon, “Mordechai’s Dream: From Addition to Derashah,” Jewish Studies, an Internet Journal 6 (2007), pp. 127–140 http://www.biu.ac.il/JS/JSIJ/6-2007/Atzmon.pdf. [HEB]
    3. A. Atzmon, “Haggadah dimgillat Esther: Toward the Anthologist’s Methodology,” Iggud: Selected Essays in Jewish Studies 1 (2008), pp. 277-291. [HEB]
    4. A. Atzmon, “Old Wine in New Flasks: The Story of Late Neo-Classical Midrash,” European Journal of Jewish Studies 3/2 (2009), 183–203.
    5. A. Atzmon, “The Targum on the Esther Scroll: A Midrashic Targum or a Targumic Midrash,” Hebrew Union College Annual 80 (2009), pp. 1–20. [HEB]
    6. A. Atzmon, “Reconstructing the Original Midrash Based on Rabbinic Parallels: A New Paradigm for an Old Problem,” Jewish Studies, an Internet Journal 9 (2010), pp. 85-99 http://www.biu.ac.il/JS/JSIJ/9-2010/Atzmon.pdf [HEB].
    7. A. Atzmon, “’And He Advanced Her to the Best’: Identity and Interpretation in Rabbinic Literature, Beit Mikra 57/1 (2012), pp. 107–123 [HEB].
    8. A. Atzmon, “The Ot Emet’s Scholia to the Midrash on the Five Scrolls,” Sidra 27-28 (2013), pp. 211-222 [HEB].
    9.  A. Atzmon, “’The Wise Woman from Saida’ – The Silent Dialogue Between Aggadah and Halakhah Regarding Women and Marriage,” AJS Review 35:1 (2011), pp. 23–34.
    10. A. Atzmon, “’The Same Fate Is in Store for the Righteous and the Wicked’: Form and Content in Midreshei Aggadah,” Journal for the Study of Judaism 43/1 (2012), pp. 58–77.
    11. A. Atzmon, “’In the Third Month’: Shavuot and the Redaction of Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 12,” Journal of Ancient Judaism 6/1 (2015), pp. 143–156.
    12. A. Atzmon, “From Census to Atonement: Parshat Shekalim in Pesikta de Rav Kahana and Pesikta Rabbati,” Jewish Studies Quarterly 22/4 (2015), pp. 352–376.
    13. A. Atzmon, “Literature and Liturgy in Times of Transition: The Piska ‘And It Happened at Midnight’ from Pesikta de-Rav Kahana,” AJS Review 40:2 (2016), pp. 241–259.
    14. A. Atzmon, “The Twofold Character of Isiah’s Prophecy in Midrash Pesikta De-Rav Kahana,” in: The Wisdom of the Sages: Biblical Commentary in Rabbinic Literature, A. Shinan & I. J. Yuval (eds.,) Jerusalem: Carmel, 2019, pp. 251–267.[HEB]
    15. A. Atzmon, “Prophet of Gloom or Comfort: The Conflicting Portrayals of Jeremiah’s Prophecy in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana,” Revue des études juives 176, 3-4 (2017), pp. 269–293.
    16. A. Atzmon, “Editing and Meaning in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana, Pesikta Rabbati and Midrash Tanhuma on ‘Vayehi Beyom Chalot Moshe’ (Num. 7:1)”, Jerusalem Studies in Hebrew Literature 29 (2017), pp. 3–38 [HEB].
    17. A. Atzmon, “The Piskah of ‘Eikhah’ in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana: Between Lament and Rebuke,” JSIJ - Jewish studies, an internet journal 16 (2019), pp. 1–11. https://jewish-faculty.biu.ac.il/files/jewish-faculty/shared/JSIJ16/atzmon.pdf [HEB].
    18. A. Atzmon, “Did Pharaoh Repent? On the Development and Transformation of an Aggadic Motif,” European Journal of Jewish Studies 13 (2019), pp. 3–27.
    19. A. Atzmon, “The Original Order of Pesikta de-Rav Kahana,” Journal of Jewish Studies 70/1 (2019), pp. 1–23.
    20. A. Atzmon, “Midrashic Traditions, Literary Editing and Polemics in Midrash Tehillim 22: Between Judaism and Christianity,” Journal for the Study of Judaism 51 (2020), pp. 97–124.
    21. A. Atzmon, “Pesikta in the Tanhuma: The Case of Piskat Shekalim,” In: Tanhuma - The State of the Research, A. Atzmon and R. Nikolsky (eds.), Leiden: Brill, Accepted for Publication (24 pp.).
    22. A. Atzmon, “Moses’ Prayer – Nimshal as Scriptural Mosaic,” in: The Power of Parables: Jewish and Christian Perspectives series, M. Poorthuis and E. Ottenheijm (eds.), Lieden: Brill, Accepted for Publication (16 pp.).
    23. A. Atzmon, “The Prayers of Moses:  A Study of Midrash Tehillim on Psalm 90,” Sidra, (16 pp.) [HEB].

    Last Updated Date : 18/10/2022