معرفی
Dr. Michelle Levine serves as a tenured Associate Professor of Bible within the Rebecca Ivry Department of Jewish Studies at Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University, and concurrently as faculty in the GPATS graduate program where she spearheads the Tanach Track. Her academic expertise centers on medieval and post-medieval biblical exegesis, with particular focus on the commentaries of Ramban (Nahmanides), Rashi, Rashbam, Sforno, and Malbim.
Her academic credentials include:
- BA (Summa cum Laude with honors) from Brooklyn College, City University of New York
- MS in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School, Yeshiva University
- PhD in medieval biblical exegesis from New York University
- Studies at Michlalah Teacher’s College in Israel
Dr. Levine's research program investigates Ramban's literary methodology in biblical interpretation, examining how he employs intertextuality to analyze character development and structural patterns in narratives. Her scholarship extends to Ramban's analysis of biblical poetry, songs, and symbolism, revealing sophisticated literary techniques in medieval exegesis. This work demonstrates how Ramban integrates surface-level narrative flow with deep thematic structures to uncover layers of meaning in biblical texts.
Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory focused on Ramban's commentary, evolving from character studies to comprehensive analyses of entire narrative episodes. Her recent work increasingly examines Ramban's holistic approach to biblical stories, considering both linear progression and underlying thematic paradigms through binary polarities.
Her scholarly contributions have been recognized through:
- Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships from both the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture and the National Foundation for Jewish Culture
- Two E. Billi Ivry Summer Research Grants
- Senior Class Jewish Studies Professor of the Year Award (2011)
As an educator, Dr. Levine mentors honors theses on biblical topics and teaches advanced undergraduate and graduate courses covering diverse biblical texts and exegetical methods. Her teaching portfolio includes specialized courses on medieval commentaries, biblical poetry, and thematic studies like 'Women in Genesis' and 'Symbolism of Clothing in the Bible.' She maintains a significant public scholarly presence through a 22-year weekly adult lecture series in Queens and frequent synagogue lectures throughout the United States and Israel.
Dr. Levine is currently developing a book analyzing Ramban's commentary on Wilderness Narratives in Exodus and Numbers, aiming to illuminate his integrative literary approach to entire biblical episodes including the Golden Calf and Spy narratives.
