Around the Calendar with Drisha

Purim/Pesach 5779: ”Two Tales of Redemption: Purim and Pesach” (3/7) with Rabbi David Silber

Purim/Pesach 5779: ”Two Tales of Redemption: Purim and Pesach” (2/7) with Rabbi David Silber

Purim/Pesach 5779: ”Two Tales of Redemption: Purim and Pesach” (1/7) with Rabbi David Silber

Purim 5779: ”Diaspora, Gender, and Politics in the Book of Esther” (3/3) with Dr. Aaron Koller

The book of Esther is the biblical book most about diaspora life. How does the book explore this topic, so jarring in biblical history but so central to our own lives as American Jews? What is the relationship between “homeland” and diaspora envisioned? How do the lives of the main characters help build an ideology, and how do their genders contribute to their different existences and different aspects of Jewish life?

Purim 5779: ”Diaspora, Gender, and Politics in the Book of Esther” (2/3) with Dr. Aaron Koller

The book of Esther is the biblical book most about diaspora life. How does the book explore this topic, so jarring in biblical history but so central to our own lives as American Jews? What is the relationship between “homeland” and diaspora envisioned? How do the lives of the main characters help build an ideology, and how do their genders contribute to their different existences and different aspects of Jewish life?

Purim 5779: ”Diaspora, Gender, and Politics in the Book of Esther” (1/3) with Dr. Aaron Koller

The book of Esther is the biblical book most about diaspora life. How does the book explore this topic, so jarring in biblical history but so central to our own lives as American Jews? What is the relationship between “homeland” and diaspora envisioned? How do the lives of the main characters help build an ideology, and how do their genders contribute to their different existences and different aspects of Jewish life?
 

Chanukkah/Purim 5777: ”Text and Temple” with Rabbi David Silber

The observance of Purim centers around the Megillah, which becomes part of the canon. Chanuka, by contrast, focuses on the lighting of the candles, a Temple ritual. We will discuss the implications of each.

Chanukkah/Purim 5777: ”Megillah and Hallel” with Rabbi David Silber

A central observance of Chanuka is the recitation of Hallel on all eight days; on Purim Hallel is not recited. We will study the significance of this distinction.

Chanukkah 5777: ”“It is forbidden to light with an old candle” – Chanukah and the Oral Torah” with Miriam Gedwiser

What does it mean for Chanukah to be the only major holiday invented in the post-biblical era?  Through hassidic sources, we will explore Chanukah’s message regarding novelty and creativity in our Torah and in our lives.

Chanukkah 5777: ”What Did Chanukkah Stand For in Ancient Times?” with Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich

We will explore the earliest sources that retold the dramatic story of Chanuka, and will consider how ancient retellings of Chanuka changed over time – and why.