Call for Applications (deadline: 18 July 2025) 

The interdisciplinary Research Training Group 2792 „Autonomy of Heteronomous Texts in Antiquity and the Middle Ages“ at the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena invites applications for the International Summer School

"Heteronomous Texts in (Early) Judaism" 

taking place from 2 to 5 September 2025 at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität in Jena/Germany.

Poster International Summer School 2025 (Download)

Topic

The phenomenon of heteronomous texts becomes particularly visible not least where a text is regarded as authoritative or divinely inspired. If this is the case, it can - at least theoretically - no longer be edited or re-worked or amended itself. Interpretation, which over a long time used to take place in the text itself through the process of Fortschreibung, now takes place outside, either in marginalia or in a new literary genre: the commentary. The Dead Sea Scrolls offer a unique source for this evolutionary step: in this extensive library, both commentary and updating of the tradition can be found in different forms of Fortschreibung and Biblical Rewriting as well as in separate commentaries.

Another form of heteronomous text, albeit related to the commentary, is found in the form of the “collectio” in rabbinic literature. Opinions on questions of halakha, which in themselves are commentaries or interpretations of scripture relating to specific cases, are compiled and in turn commented on and interpreted.

The Summer School will explore the underlying hermeneutics and the methods used by working with selected textual examples. Texts from Qumran such as the famous Pesharim, but also Reworked Pentateuch Texts and pieces from 11QPsa as well as pieces from the Mishnah (e.g. Tractate Nedarim) and the Babylonian Talmud (e.g. Ketubot; Baba Metzia) will be dealt with.

We are particularly looking forward to the discussion of research projects or relevant textual examples that can be presented by the participants..

The general language of the summer school will be English. Single workshops can be conducted in English or German, depending on the language skills of the participants.

Programme

The summer school takes place at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität in Jena/Germany from 2 September 2025 to 5 September 2025. 

In the course of the summer school we will attempt to shed light on typical traits of heteronomous texts by common lectures and presentations of typical examples of heteronomous texts.

Speakers

George Brooke - Manchester
Admiel Kosman - Potsdam 
Peter Porzig - Göttingen
Hannes Bezzel - Jena

Fees and Funding

No participation fees will be charged.

We can provide accommodation for the duration of the summer school as well as reimbursement of travel costs up to a total of 1.000 EUR for 10 international participants. In addition we can provide travel cost reimbursement for 5 participants coming from locations within Germany (max. 200 EUR).

Travel costs will be reimbursed according to the Thüringer Reisekostengesetz (Thuringian Travel Expenses Act).

Application requirements

• a master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Church History, Medieval-Latin and Neo-Latin Philologies, History of the Middle Ages, Roman Law, Medieval German Literature, Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Ancient History, Classical Philology (Greek and Latin)
• language skills in Hebrew and/or Aramaic are useful but not compulsory
• a paper that will be presented during the summer school

Application Documents and Procedure

To apply for the summer school, please send the following documents in one PDF-file to heteronome.texte@uni-jena.de:

• a letter of motivation (1,5 pages) which outlines your research experience with heteronomous texts as well as information on your knowledge of Greek and other relevant languages (e.g. Latin, Syric)
• Curriculum Vitae
• a short abstract of the paper you want to present during the summer school  

The deadline for application is 18 July 2025.

Please note that the applicants for the summer school will be selected based on the quality of their application and their research experience. The total number of participants is restricted to 20.

If you are an international applicant, please indicate in your letter of motivation if you want to apply for funded accommodation and travel reimbursement (see 3. Fees and Funding)

If you plan to bring your child/ren to Jena and need child care, please contact us in advance to discuss if we can provide support.

Contacts

For questions related to the application procedure or other administrative matters, please contact Oliver Schmerbauch: heteronome.texte@uni-jena.de

For academic questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Hannes Bezzel: hannes.bezzel@uni-jena.de