This course focuses on Mishna and selected Talmudic passages. It is an intensive intellectual study experience concentrating on the acquisition of technical textual skills, literary techniques for unlocking the spiritual/ideological subtext of the Talmud, and practical halachic knowledge. Time is also devoted to discussion of the philosophical issues inspired by the text, as well as to grappling with the contemporary relevance of the material. This class studies the last two chapters of Tractate Baba Kama, dealing with thievery and armed robbery, and their consequences.