Around the Calendar with Drisha

Chanukkah 5784: ”Hanukkah: Holiday of Homebodies” (3/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.

Chanukkah 5784: ”Hanukkah: Holiday of Homebodies” (2/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.

Chanukkah 5784: ”Hanukkah: Holiday of Homebodies” (1/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.

Sukkot 5784: ”Sukkot: The Paradigm of Universal Torah Ideals” (3/3) with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are unique to Sukkot or act as paradigms of broader Torah values.

Sukkot 5784: ”Sukkot: The Paradigm of Universal Torah Ideals” (2/3) with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are unique to Sukkot or act as paradigms of broader Torah values.

Yom Kippur 5784: ”Symbolism and Significance: Examining the Yom Kippur Service Avodah” (2/2) with Sarah Gordon

In this course, we will explore the Yom Kippur service of the Kohen Gadol, a significant but sometimes enigmatic aspect of the liturgy. By delving into the significance and symbolism behind key elements of the service, we will confront many of the fundamental questions of Yom Kippur, such as whether atonement can happen without repentance, the influence of fate and destiny, and the profound impact an individual’s actions can have on the community.

High Holidays 5784: ”Why are You Sleeping? Piyyutim of Awakening to the Yamim Noraim” (2/2) with Rabbanit Victoria Sutton

Session 2: Open the Gates
Rosh HaShanah, through Yom Kippur, are viewed as a time when the Gates of Rahamim, Mercy, are particularly receptive - an Et shaareh ratson. We will look at several central piyytim that develop this theme, and that introduce the Shofar and prayers of the day.

Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”The Periphery of Redemption: The Torah Readings of Rosh haShannah ” (2/2) with Rabba Wendy Amsellem

How can we know what God wants of us? In Genesis 16, Sarai, Avram, and Hagar all struggle to understand their roles in God's covenant. Their interactions and their mistakes lay the groundwork for Genesis 21, the powerful Torah reading of the first day of Rosh haShannah. We will do a close reading of both of these biblical texts and utilize rabbinic midrashim to explore each character's motivation and why this story was chosen to be read on the Day of Judgment.

Yom Kippur 5784: ”Symbolism and Significance: Examining the Yom Kippur Service Avodah” (1/2) with Sarah Gordon

In this course, we will explore the Yom Kippur service of the Kohen Gadol, a significant but sometimes enigmatic aspect of the liturgy. By delving into the significance and symbolism behind key elements of the service, we will confront many of the fundamental questions of Yom Kippur, such as whether atonement can happen without repentance, the influence of fate and destiny, and the profound impact an individual’s actions can have on the community.

High Holidays 5784: ”Why are You Sleeping? Piyyutim of Awakening to the Yamim Noraim” (1/2) with Rabbanit Victoria Sutton

Session 1: Wake Up
Throughout the month of Elul, Jewish communities rise early for Selihot, whose words and melodies serve to awaken us to teshuva (repentance) and Seliha (forgiveness). We will study the text and themes of several Selihot piyyutim together, including the opening piyyut "Ben Adam Mah Lekha Nirdam" ("Human Being, Why do you Slumber?")