Ta Shma

Of course the Jews thought that they would starve when they left Egypt.In Moshe’s retelling of the story of the mann (manna), that is deliberate.  There is something about the mann that is inextricably linked to hunger—or, at least, our fear of it.

Shai Held, a biblical scholar and theologian, dives deep into how scripture can guide us through today's climate crisis. He discusses our intrinsic connection to nature as depicted in Genesis, challenging the view of humanity as separate from the environment. Held emphasizes farming as a divine vocation and the balance between significance and stewardship. He critiques traditional interpretations of Genesis, urging a reevaluation of our responsibilities to the planet, while highlighting the scriptural call for justice and care in governance.

There is no such thing, for a Jew, as loving God without loving human beings as well.Our love for God is bound up with our love for others: for the parents who taught us His name, and the grandparents who taught them.  For the children we raise to know Him.  For every ancestor, too far back for us to remember their names, who remembered God’s covenant with our people and dedicated their lives to transmitting that memory.

Explore the transformative power of love as a central tenet of Judaism, challenging misconceptions about divine affection. Delve into the complexities of discussing God in American Judaism while recognizing the impact of trauma on belief. Discover how Jewish teachings redefine love, encouraging dialogue about community and interpersonal relationships. Learn how philanthropy can deepen spiritual engagement and reinforce social justice as an essential component of Jewish life.

The danger, when the two tribes decide to stay on the other side of the Jordan, is not just that we might become two peoples: it is that we may develop two Torahs.  

One of the poetic laments we recite on Tisha b’Av is the poem that begins Eish tukad bekirbi (“A fire shall burn within me”). An acrostic, each stanza of the poem juxtaposes something glorious that occurred during the Exodus from Egypt, with something equally ignoble from our exile from Jerusalem.

Moshe’s real concern, when Reuven and Gad ask to remain on their side of the Jordan, is the way that distance can split families apart.  

Both Talmuds record that Rabbi, one of the last leading sages of the Tannaim, tried to abolish Tisha B'Av. Why would someone want to abolish this fast day? Through this surprising example and its aftermath, this class explores the role of myth and history in the Jewish calendar. Recorded on Tisha B'Av 2024. Source sheet: https://mechonhadar.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/mh_torah_source_sheets/Tabick9AvEternal2024.pdf

Daughters of fathers are different from sons. Daughters, as they grow, do not take on their father’s image.  A daughter’s voice will not deepen into her father’s baritone.  Her jaw will not sharpen to resemble his, and, in all likelihood, she will not reach his height.  Rarely will anyone ever be startled when they encounter her on the street after her father’s death, thinking for a moment, because of their resemblance, that they are seeing a ghost.

The Talmud is notoriously complex, and its stories are no exception. In this class, we will learn strategies for how to understand these texts such as structural analysis, to explore the narrative flow and construction; interiority, to uncover the unstated emotions and motivations of the sages; and contextual analysis, to place each story within the broader tapestry of Talmudic and rabbinic literature. Through these and other tools, we’ll gain a richer understanding of the inner worlds of the sages, the ethical questions they grappled with, and how these tales continue to speak powerfully to our lives today. Recorded in Winter 2025. Source sheet: https://mechonhadar.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/mh_torah_source_sheets/PassowReadingRabbis2025Part3.pdf