Discovering the Books of Enoch

Syllabus Summary

• 1. About the Book of Watchers (ספר העירין)

  Introduction to 1 Enoch, its history, genre, and central lore.

• 2. Rebellion and the Fall of Angels

  Examining passages from 1 Enoch 6, 7, 8 about the rebellion of angels and the havoc caused by their descendants.

• 3. The Judgement of Watchers and Giants

  Exploring 1 Enoch 9, 10, which outlines the punishments of the Watchers and the consequences of their rebellion for humanity.

• 4. Taking Petition to God’s Throne

  Surveying passages from 1 Enoch 12-16 that describe angelic interactions and depict God’s Throne.

• 5. Prison for Angels and Abode for Human Souls

  Reading through the passages from 1 Enoch 17-23 that describe the realm reserved for the souls of angels, as well as places designated for human souls.

• 6. Mountains, Trees, and Heavenly Gates

  Evaluating the narratives in 1 Enoch 24-33, which describe unusual landscapes, the Tree of Life, and heavenly portals through which stars emerge.

• 7. Four Angels and Heavenly Secrets

  Examining 1 Enoch 37-44, which outlines four special angels and celestial phenomena that Enoch was shown.

• 8. The Lord of Spirits and Son of Man

  Surveying 1 Enoch 45-57, which depicts the Son of Man and describes scenes of his judgment of the wicked, the righteous, and the angels.

• 9. The Great Judgement of the Son of Man

  Reading through 1 Enoch 58-71 section, which describes the Chosen One, the Elect, and details of the Great Judgment conducted by the Son of Man.

• 10. Luminaries and Jewish Calendar

  Analyzing sections from 1 Enoch 72-82 that describe celestial movements. Reflecting on how beliefs and practices of time measurement shaped religious groups and movements in the past.

• 11. Visions of Animals, Stars, and the Flood

  Reading through passages from 1 Enoch 83-88 that elaborate on the angelic rebellion and events of the pre-flood history.

• 12. Visions of Shepherds and the Lord of the Sheep

  Exploring visions preserved in 1 Enoch 89-90 that portray key events of Israel’s history as it was understood by the seer.

• 13. Warnings and Woes of Judgement

  Investigating selections from 1 Enoch 92-108 that contain prophetic admonitions of Enoch expressing woes to the sinners and hope for vindication for the righteous.

• 14. Making Sense of Jewish Apocalyptic Literature

  An overview of the contribution and impact made by 1 Enoch and other similar books. Discussion of how books of this sort functioned in the past and their influence on traditions of the Second Temple era.

• 15. About The Book of Secrets (ספר הסודות)

  Introduction to 2 Enoch or the Book of Secrets, its history, genre, and central lore.

• 16. Enoch’s Journey from First to Third Heaven

  Examining selections from 2 Enoch 1-10 that describe Enoch’s celestial journeys and the contents of the three sections of heaven he was shown.

• 17. Enoch’s Journey from Fourth to Seventh Heaven

  Exploring chapters from 2 Enoch 11-20 that describe the contents of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh heaven experienced by the seer.

• 18. Secrets Beyond Seventh Heaven

  Exploring chapters from 2 Enoch 11-20 that describe the contents of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh heaven experienced by the seer.

• 19. Enoch’s Visit with his Family

  Investigating the narrative in 2 Enoch 38-54, which details Enoch’s temporary return to his family and his direct admonitions to his sons.

• 20. Enoch’s Final Charge to Mankind

  Grasp the teachings and instructions contained in 2 Enoch’s 55-67, the details of the final teachings of Enoch before his return with angels to heaven.

• 21. Enoch’s Legacy and the Birth of Melchizedek

  Examining the narrative of 2 Enoch 68-73 that presents ancient lore about Methuselah, the origins of Melchizedek, and his unique priesthood.

• 22. The Impact of Ancient Stories and Traditions

  Considering the influence of 2 Enoch traditions on broader culture, Melchizedek lore, and other remarkable stories of miraculous births in antiquity.

• 23. About the Book of Palaces (ספר היכלות)

  Introduction to 3 Enoch, or the Book of Palaces, its history, genre, and central lore.

• 24. Rabbi Ishmael’s Journey to Heaven

  Examining 3 Enoch 1-2, which tells a story of how Rabbi Ishmael, like Enoch, has journeyed to heaven and encountered angel Metatron.

• 25. Metatron’s Transformation

  Analyzing the chapters of 3 Enoch 3-16 that detail how a fellow human being, Enoch, was transformed and became a prince of angels.

• 26. Metatron’s Exalted Name

  Thinking through the passages from 3 Enoch 3-16 that detail how Metatron was given the most exalted name in heaven and what that means.

• 27. Heavenly Armies and Princes

  Reading through segments of 3 Enoch 17-28 that disclose the elaborate organization and hierarchy of heavenly armies and angelic princes responsible for various domains.

• 28. Praises in Heavenly Court

  Examining selections from 3 Enoch 29-40 that disclose the special role of 72 angels of the divine court and the purpose of the praises they proclaim in the heavenly realm.

• 29. The Sights of Heaven

  Browsing through segments of 3 Enoch 41-47 in which Rabbi Ishmael sees the heavenly letters, a special curtain, and other sights that Metatron wants to show him.

• 30. The Right Hand of the Omnipresent

  Investigating the imagery of God’s Right Hand in 3 Enoch 48 and considering the impact of the contributions of Enoch's literary lore.