Israel's Most Distinguished Biblical Scholar to Speak at Smith

Shemaryahu Talmon, J. L. Magnes Professor Emeritus of Bible Studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and one of the first recipients of the Israel Prize in Biblical Research and Interpretation, will present a slide-lecture, titled "Prophets, Fishes and Mermaids in the Book of Jonah," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, in Seelye Hall 201.

Talmon is the author of numerous works of Biblical history and an authority on Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered beginning in 1947. His books include "Jewish Civilization in the Hellenistic-Roman Period," "Qumran and the History of the Biblical Text" and "The World of Qumran from Within." He is the editor of the Hebrew University Commentary Project.

Now in his 80s, Talmon first lectured at Smith in 1972 at the invitation of his late friend and colleague Jochanan Wijnhoven, Smith professor of Jewish Studies. He returned to Smith on several occasions throughout the 1970s and '80s. His connection to Smith was rekindled two years ago by Smith Professor of Religion Karl Donfried who, at the time, was teaching at Hebrew University as a Fulbright Professor.

The lecture, which will focus on a scene from the Book of Jonah in a 13th-century illuminated Hebrew manuscript, is the third and final lecture in a series hosted in conjunction with the first-year seminar "Jerusalem in History, Literature and Art." The seminar is taught by Donfried and Associate Professor of English Patricia Skarda. Earlier lecturers in the series were prominent artist and illustrator Barry Moser and Dead Sea Scrolls expert Hershel Shanks.
Sponsors of Talmon's lecture include the Mellon Foundation, the Smith College Museum of Art and the departments of Religion and Biblical Literature and Jewish Studies.

November 15, 1999