Around the Calendar with Drisha

Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”Maternal Sacrifice and the Birthing of the World” (2/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna

Our Rosh Hashana liturgy is full of stories of mothers who sacrifice. Hagar and Hannah sacrifice their sons. Sarah and Em Sisra's sons are sacrificed by others. Rachel is sacrificed for her child. This course will explore these stories of maternal sacrifice and raise questions about the role of maternal sacrifice in creation. Specifically, is it necessary? Even if it is necessary, is it good?

Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”Maternal Sacrifice and the Birthing of the World” (1/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna

Our Rosh Hashana liturgy is full of stories of mothers who sacrifice. Hagar and Hannah sacrifice their sons. Sarah and Em Sisra's sons are sacrificed by others. Rachel is sacrificed for her child. This course will explore these stories of maternal sacrifice and raise questions about the role of maternal sacrifice in creation. Specifically, is it necessary? Even if it is necessary, is it good?

Sukkot 5784: ”Sukkot: The Paradigm of Universal Torah Ideals” (1/3) 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.

High Holidays 5784: ”Prayers and Melodies of the High Holiday Services” with Rabbi David Silber and Rabbi Jon Kelsen

The Yamim Noraim prayers have their own distinctive nusach, as well as many melodies which are sung in various communities. In this three part series, we will listen to and reflect upon selected niggunim and songs, exploring how the music reflects an understanding of the liturgy.

Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”The Periphery of Redemption: The Torah Readings of Rosh haShannah ” (1/2) 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.

Tisha B’Av 5783 : ”Understanding Lamentations” (2/2) with Dr. Adele Berlin

In this series, we will conduct a close reading of the text of Lamentations. We will focus on the poetry, the significance of Jerusalem's destruction and the ways it is shown, the use of gender in the book, and the ideas of mourning, exile, and return.

Tisha B’Av 5783 : ”Understanding Lamentations” (1/2) with Dr. Adele Berlin

In this series, we will conduct a close reading of the text of Lamentations. We will focus on the poetry, the significance of Jerusalem's destruction and the ways it is shown, the use of gender in the book, and the ideas of mourning, exile, and return

Shavuot 5783: ”613 Mitzvot in Rhyme: The Tradition of Azharot” with Rabbanit Victoria Sutton

Dating back to the time of the Geonim, scholars and poets composed Azharot, poetic enumerations of the mitzvot. They were traditionally read in communities on Shavuot, a custom that continues today in some Sephardic communities. We will explore this fascinating liturgical phenomenon and their mixed reception throughout the ages. Focusing on the Azharot of Solomon ibn Gabirol, we will survey this masterful poem's structure and methodology and learn a traditional melody for these Azharot.

Yom Kippur 5783: ”The Avodah” with Rabbi David Silber

One of the Highlights of the Yom Kippur service is the reenactment of the service of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. We will take a close look at this central part of the Yom Kippur service and how it reflects the core themes of the day.

Rosh HaShanah 5783: ”The Visitation of Sarah in Midrash and Piyyut” with Dr. Tzvi Novick

On the first day of Rosh ha-Shanah we read of how God “visited” or “took note” of Sarah” (Gen 21:1). In this session we will examine an interrelated set of texts in midrash and early piyyut that reflect and expand on this event. These texts will offer subtle insight into the rabbis’ understanding of the Bible, their own narrative aesthetics (i.e., the sorts of stories they like to tell), and the development of rabbinic literature.