How can literary works convey the elusive phenomenon called “mood”? Do literary texts themselves have “moods” or “atmospheres”? This course is designed as a critical exploration of the changing moods and emotional weathers of Hebrew literature. Drawing on the growing body of work in affect theory, we will read works of Hebrew prose not only for their meanings but also for their feelings. One of the main premises of this course is that emotions are not necessarily a personal or private matter; they can be public, collective, or socially orchestrated. Attending to the emotions expressed in works of art may thus yield new insights into the complexities of Hebrew culture and Israeli society. Throughout the semester, we will revisit literary representations of certain historical events and crises (such as the declaration of independence, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Mizrahi struggle, as well as more local moments of communal euphoria and scandals of offences to public feeling), unpack their affective dimensions, and try to uncover the often surprising collective feelings that have accompanied them. In short, as readers and critics we will become emotional, together, while aiming to develop affective sensitivity as a critical tool.