Classes

The Sefer HaChinuch is a unique and exquisite book that addresses the mitzvot in detail while also providing ethical, philosophical and spiritual explanations for mitzvot. It is, as Rabbi Dr. Isidore Epstein explains, ‘a calm, beautifully-tempered book, fully of tenderness, piety and fervour’, as well as a book that is ‘abundant in religious and ethical teaching and thought’. In this course we will study the Sefer HaChinuch’s treatment of certain mitzvot, as well as a variety of other halachic and hashkafic texts relating to those mitzvot. By doing so, participants will enrich their understanding of the mitzvot, and will gain a deeper understanding of some of the most important debates surrounding why we do what we do.

Our study of SEFER (all-caps intentional) Breishit, will assume that the book is not simply a collection of stories, but rather a book of prophecy written for the people of Israel with a very specific prophetic purpose.  We will begin our study with an attempt to uncover that theme. Afterward, we will show how each of its stories relates to that underlying theme.  Finally, we will demonstrate how the book of Breishit forms a ‘prophetic platform’ for the rest of Tanach.

Rabbanit Shani Taragin & Rivi Frankel Tours with Shulie Mishkin

Learn and Tour Course: “ולעבדו בכל לבבכם”

When we approach the Beit Knesset, we have two books in hand – our Siddur and our Chumash. This year we will explore our connection between what we learn in Tanakh and what we pray in our Siddur. In the Chumash and Navi Hashem speaks to us, in the Siddur we talk to Hashem. In light of stories in Tanakh we will understand and appreciate how we talk to God.

We will divide the year by semester: In the first semester (taught by Rivi Frankel) we will focus on those who worshipped and prayed in the Tanakh – Avraham, Moshe, Chana, among others. In the second part of this course (taught by Shani Taragin) we will examine Mizmorei Tehillim and passages of Tanakh that have become incorporated in our regular Tefilla, thereby understanding our prayers more in depth.

The tours (with Shuli Mishkin) will take us through time and space to explore the creativity of prayer spaces. (The tours are done virtually over zoom.)

1. November 9: From Temple to Synagogue: A look at the Mikdash and Bamot, and the transition to early Batei Knesset: Jerusalem, Tel Sheva,  Arad, Qumran, Jericho , Herodion and Masada.
2. December 21: Northern Synagogues: One Type or Many? Migdal, Kfar Nachum, Korazim, Bet Alfa, Hukok and more.
3. January 18: Jerusalem City of Synagogues: Ethnic Variety in Nahlaot, Italian Synagogue, Heichal Shlomo, Hurva.
4. February 22: Kabbalah, Prayer and Graves : An In-Depth Tour of Tzfat
5. April 19 : Creative Twists and Women in the Synagogue: Akko including the Tunisian Syagogue and the Ramhal Synagogue
6. May 31: The Golan, A Laboratory for Synagogues: Gamla, Um el Kanatir , new excavations.

When the Torah requires us to act in a certain way we hope that these actions will be meaningful. Intent and understanding can enhance our mitzvah observance. This course will explore our rich Jewish literature and commentaries in order to give “taam-taste” to the mitzvot we do from getting up in the morning to our observance of Shabbat and Jewish holidays.

This course will look at the work of Ezra-Nehemiah, one of the latest works of Tanakh, produced in Israel during the Persian Period.  Through a careful reading of the work, and comparisons to contemporaneous texts, we will attempt to gain a more nuanced understanding of the author’s worldview, and how the work of Ezra-Nehemiah was carefully constructed to reflect that unique outlook.

This course will explore the history and meaning of tefillah through biblical, Talmudic and philosophical sources as well as positive psychology and the arts. Topics will include: the origins and development of the siddur, the significance of individual and communal prayer, the merits of voluntary vs. obligatory prayer, role models in tefilla and rabbinic sensitivity to the challenges of tefilla. Throughout the course, we will also explore the place of women in the tefilla experience.

As we face an unprecedented crisis for humanity many are asking how we continue in light of personal, national or universal tragedy. The perennial question of evil and suffering and the particular challenge it poses for religion is not new but in each generation the responses shed a new light on our struggles. This course will journey through a landscape of responses elucidated in our ancient texts and by modern Jewish thinkers. As we weave a tapestry of the rich and comprehensive wisdom taught by the great minds of judaism we will find that the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ invites moments of redemption and catharsis even when facing the most painful and often incomprehensible questions of existence known to man. Together we will approach the topic from both an intellectual and deeply human perspective hoping to shed light on a question that has vexed humanity since its inception.

In this course we will investigate Moshe’s final speech to the nation before his death. These parshiyot are usually unstudied as they fall during the summer vacation months. We will focus on the new and unusual mitzvot that appear in the book of Devarim.  Emphasis will be placed on applying the information as it relates to our lives today.

Jews love many things, but nothing more than a good argument. Unlike any other faith, our Halakhic tradition is a compilation not just of laws, but of debates and machlokot. Why is machloket such an integral part of the Jewish tradition? What are the boundaries of Orthodox thinking? Who is in and who is out? Who is right and who is wrong?

Join me as we explore our tradition of machloket from Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yishmael, to the Rambam and Spinoza, from Satmar Chassidus and Religious Zionism to Rav Ovadia Yosef and Aharon Barak.

This course will apply Jewish teachings to address contemporary social issues. We will see how halacha adapts to face a changing society. We will explore the changing role of Jewish women in Torah study and communal life, the inclusion of people with disabilities in Jewish life, medical ethics and other pressing relevant topics. Encouraging class discussion and participation.

Dates for the first semester:

Oct.27

Nov.10

Nov.24

Dec.8

Dec.22

Jan.5

Jan.19

Feb.2

Bereishit 5-11 offers an account of humankind’s beginning. What do these chapters teach us about the Torah’s view of the cosmic order, the purpose of humans, the nature of a failed society, and the relationships between God and humans, man and woman, and brothers? We will employ midrashim, medieval parshanut, and literary tools in an attempt to mine these rudimentary and profound chapters for their lofty and universal messages.

Jews around the world study the same page of Talmud each day as part of the 7-year cycle of the Daf Yomi. In this weekly class, we will review the key topics of the previous week’s seven pages, gaining an overview of the entire Talmud while also doing a deeper analysis of some of the core issues in that week’s text. We will gain insights into each Tractate being studied, and enjoy the benefits of moving through the Talmudic text with a “bird’s eye view” of the width and breadth of material covered and at a quicker pace. Whatever your background in Talmud, this shiur will allow you to connect to the worldwide phenomenon of Daf Yomi study, whether you learn the daf each day or just want to gain an overview of the entire Gemara.

This year we will explore the challenges facing Yehoshua, successor to Moshe Rabbenu, as prophet, political and military leader of am Yisrael entering the Land of Israel. We will study the text of nevuah, accompanied by medieval and modern exegesis and the historiographical -prophetic messages. We will discuss issues presented in the narrative including: Divine intervention vs. human initiative, the relationship between the settlement of the tribes and their respective territories, individual choices vs. communal responsibilities, and the struggle to unify disparate tribes into a nation – then and now.

Through a careful analysis of the narratives in Shmuel Bet, and later Biblical (and post-Biblical) references to David hamelekh, will attempt to understand what Jewish tradition has to say about the institution of kingship in Israel.

Wednesday September 30 | Sukkot: Gathering the Grain and Praying for Rain: A look at the natural resources and fruits of the land on Chag HaAsif, the harvest holiday.

Wednesday December 9 | Chanukah: My Glorious Brothers: How did the Hasmoneans change Jerusalem and Judaism?

Wednesday January 27 | Tu BShvat: The Chameleon of Holidays: from New Year to New Age, a look at Tu BShvat through the centuries.

Wednesday March 17 | Pesach: Pharaoh’s Heavy Heart: What can archaeology teach us about Tanakh?

Wednesday April 7 | Independence Day: The Negev, Israel’s Future: Pioneers and innovators from early Zionism to today in Israel’s south.

Wednesday May 5 | Jerusalem Day: Four Quarters, Four Stories: An in-depth look at the Old City of Jerusalem.

The teachings of the Torah provide eternal guidance for how to live sanctified lives as individuals and as a nation.  In this course, the weekly parsha will be our springboard to delve into fundamental lessons in living, taught by chasidic masters such as the  Netivot Shalom and the Aish Kodesh, and other contemporary Religious Zionist thinkers. Our study will aim to enhance our spiritual lives in the here and now, and provide inspirational divrei Torah to share at our Shabbat tables.

(Breishit 37-50)

This year we will explore the seminal narrative of Joseph and his brothers.  In-depth literary analysis of the text will help us seek answers to the moral and theological questions underlying the plot development and understand its purpose and connection to the broader work of Breishit.  Our study will make use of classical exegesis, modern scholarship, and psychological insights to shed light on the troubled dynamics in the family of Jacob.

In this class we will look at foreigners in Tanakh who speak of Israel’s God. What brings these foreigners to talk about our God? What do they say, and how does it contribute to our understanding of their stories? In each of the dozens of cases we will examine, we will try to uncover the author’s hidden agenda which led to the specific way in which each story is written. We will see how these agendas differ according to historical eras, and what overall messages the biblical authors convey through these foreign characters.