90 Minutes of Torah at 190 Amsterdam Ave
Come to Hadar's Open Beit Midrash on Tuesday nights to engage first-hand with texts in havruta or in any of six learning groups. Food and energetic atmosphere provided.
When: Tuesday nights, June 21-August 2, 2011 (Note: the beit midrash will not meet on July 19 due to 17 Tammuz)
Time: 7:15pm - 8:45pm; (Arvit will take place at 8:45pm)
Cost: Free
Where: Mechon Hadar, 190 Amsterdam Avenue (at 69th St.)
Choose from the following sessions:
he'Arel: The Uncircumcised
Taught by Yedidah Koren
The question “who is a Jew?” has been discussed regarding conversion, patrilineal descent, observance, and more. However, one aspect of being a Jew has not significantly entered public discussion - being a Jew in the physical sense - being circumcised. Is circumcision just one other mitzvah, or does it create the body of a Jew? How are we supposed to treat a Jewish man who isn’t circumcised?
In this class, we will explore these questions through biblical, second temple period and rabbinic texts, both halakhic and aggadic. We will not only examine these texts’ relationship to the arel, but also the constitution of the arel as a status through them.
Say It Like You Mean It: Prayer as Text
Taught by Amit Gevaryahu
The Hebrew words of the siddur are spoken, sung, chanted and mumbled by many Jews who speak many different languages each day. But what do they mean? What are we saying? We will go through key prayers in the siddur and read them closely, with an eye on Biblical and post-Biblical parallels, Talmudic and medieval rabbinic discussions of the prayers, and bigger questions of the role and history of Jewish prayer. Sessions will be devoted to Birkat Yotzer, Birkat Ga'al Yisrael, Birkat Avoda (Retze) and Birkat Kohanim, the Berakha after food, prayers for the government and Yom Haatzmaut, and others. Suggestions from the class are also welcomed.
Emulating God: Selected Passages from Tomer Devorah
Taught by Dena Weiss
In this class we'll be exploring select passages from the Tomer Devorah, a work of ethical instruction written by R' Moshe Kordavero (Rama"k). The Rama"k is the author of the Pardes Rimonim, the first major work of systematic Kabbalah, written in the 16th cent. The Tomer Devorah joins the central idea of striving to be like God with the Kabbalistic representation of God in the Sefirot. It's a unique approach to right action and self-improvement which can provide us with new ways to think seriously about the ways we interact with God, the world, and our fellow human beings.
Yom Kippur: Law and Lore
Taught by Miriam-Simma Walfish
What, if anything, is the relationship between Yom Kippur's prohibitions and its ethical focus on repentance? In this course, we will study sugyot (discussions) from the eighth chapter of Yoma, which deals with the abstentions of Yom Kippur, as well as the exceptions to those rules. In particular, we will pay attention to the interplay of halakhah and aggadah to see how each helps us understand better the other.
Shema Koleinu: Hear our Voices (beginning on June 28)
Taught by Cantor Elizabeth Sacks
What makes an effective prayer leader? How does a shaliach tzibbur create a meaningful prayer environment for the kehila? In this course, we will examine techniques to increase communication between the prayer leader and congregation. Focusing on music choice, sound production, and body language, participants will explore practical skills and methods that facilitate and encourage congregational singing and fluid davening.
Apprentice with a Sofer
Taught by Jen Taylor Friedman
Learn basic Torah repair and maintenance skills which will enable you to keep your community's Torah scrolls in good working order. We will learn halakha from the sefer Keset haSofer, and practical skills by working with real Torah materials and a real Torah scroll. Skills will include proper use of tape, sandpaper, alcohol and erasers; replacing broken seams; how to identify and tackle pasul letters; and the use of the internet for seeking advice.
In order to work on the Torah scroll you must be traditionally shomer Shabbat and punctilious about the mitzvah of tefillin. Alternatives
will be provided for those who are not currently at this level.
Learn a text of your choosing in havruta
Have you always wanted to study a Jewish text in the original? Are you looking for a study partner, or already have one and are looking for a community of learners? Join us in the Hadar Beit Midrash. We will help match you with a learning partner and provide staff resources to help you learn a text of your choosing.
Also a special guest session:
The Boundaries of Law and Personal Freedom (on July 5 only)
Taught by Dr. Tehilla Elitzur
Dr. Tehilla Elitzur holds a Ph.D. from Ben Gurion University where she teaches Rabbinic Thought and Halacha. Tehilla has taught at various Israeli Midrashot, and presently teaches at MaTaN and the Women's Beit Midrash.
Co-sponsored by Kehilat Hadar
