Classes

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.

1. Development of the Synagogue: Migdal, Kfar Nachum, Korazim, Bet Alfa 8:30 – 18:00
2. Jerusalem City of Synagogues #1: Past: Nahlaot, Italian Synagogue, Hechal Shlomo and museum 8:30 -14:30
3. Jerusalem City of Synagogues #2: Present and Future: Hurva, Belz. 8:30-14:30
4. Kabbalah, Prayer and Graves: Different Ways to God: Tzfat 8:30-18:00
5. Creative Twists: Akko (Tunisian Synagogue, Ramchal Synagogue), Pekiin 8:30-18:00
6. Golan: a Laboratory for Synagogues: Gamla, Um el Kanatir, new discoveries 8:00 – 19:00

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.

In this course, we will look at developments within the institutions of leadership in Israel throughout the Biblical Period. We will trace successes, failures, revolutions, and innovations all the while piecing together Tanakh’s timeless messages, and their enduring impact on the modern world.

(Breishit 37-50)

How does a therapeutic model affect our understanding of the narratives of the Torah?

We will explore this using the lenses of midrashic, hassidic and psychoanalytic thought.

Please note:

Please write in comments the class you’d like to join so that we can send the link to your email.

Please note:

Please write in comments the class you’d like to join so that we can send the link to your email.