Mechon Hadar Guest

Sunday January 8, 7:30-9pm
An evening of conversation and learning around the topic of Shabbat. Senator Lieberman's recent book, The Gift of Rest, will serve as the centerpiece of our conversation, which will weave together political anecdotes and thoughtful consideration of rabbinic halakhah and aggadah about Shabbat. What is the role of Shabbat in the contemporary world? How can rigorous Jewish observance integrate into public life? When conflicts arise surrounding Shabbat observance, how can we deal with them?

Come to Hadar's Open Beit Midrash on Monday nights to engage first-hand with texts in havruta or in one of several learning groups. Food and energetic atmosphere provided. Choose from weekly sessions on topics ranging from the Zohar to Artistic Representations of the Ten Commandments to special letters in Torah Scrolls.
When: Monday nights, January 23-February 13, 2012 Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm; (Arvit will take place at 7:10pm) Cost: Free
Where: Mechon Hadar, 190 Amsterdam Avenue (at 69th St.)

R. Aviva Richman and R. Jason Rubenstein
Three Tuesdays - 1/31, 2/7, 2/14 - 7:30-9pm
at Mechon Hadar, 190 Amsterdam @ 69th St.

We often think of our physical body and ephemeral emotions as what separates us most from God, a mark of our changing nature, our imperfections and limitations. But what if we think of these characteristics as central to living out God's Torah? How does that affect our understanding of issues such as disability, illness, effort, and anger? Over the course of three sessions, we will explore passages in midrash and Talmud, and case studies in halakhah that invite us to re-imagine the interaction between Torah and our most human attributes.

A 3-part series on Egalitarianism, Tuesday nights, March 6-20, 7:30pm. These lectures will address some core issues on egalitarianism taught by Rabbi Ethan Tucker, Rosh Yeshiva and Chair in Jewish Law.

Taught by R. Shai Held
Tuesday January 10th, 2012, 7:30pm
at Mechon Hadar, 190 Amsterdam Ave (at 69th St)

Rav Eliyahu Dessler teaches that as human beings, we are faced with a fundamental choice: to be givers or takers. In this lecture by R. Shai Held we'll ask whether his vision is compelling, simplistic, or some of both, and discuss how it might help us grow in our relationships with God and each-other.