A detailed analysis of the origins and development of the halachic system, from Mount Sinai to the present day. This course charts the historical and philosophical evolution of the Oral Law in 20 sessions, with emphasis on its historical and geo-political context, and major meta-halachic and hashkafic themes.
1. What Did Moshe Receive at Sinai? Part 1 
2. What Did Moshe Receive at Sinai? Part 2
3. The Imperative of an Oral Tradition
4. Why Should the Oral Law Remain Oral?
5. Overview of the Structure of Oral Law
6. The Transmission of Torah MiSinai
7. Oral Law in the Biblical Period: Mesorah from Moshe to Ezra
8. The Role of Prophecy in Oral Law
9. Oral Law in the Biblical Period: The Transition from Prophecy to Analysis
10. Rabbinic Law: An Overview
11. The Scope of Rabbinic Authority
12. Limits on Rabbinic Legislation
13. Machloket and Elu V’Elu
Part 1:
Part 2:
14. Schism and Machloket
15. Origins & Formation of the Mishnah
16. Origins & Formation of the Gemara
17. The Sealing of the Gemara
18. The Rishonim
(no source sheet)
19. The Shulchan Aruch