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Chassidut & Kabbala
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Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
A Kabbalistic Understanding of Lag BaOmer (April 25)
Class date: Apr 25, 2013 |
Shalom to all. Tonight I am very excited to teach some of the ideas surrounding Lag B'"Omer and Rabi Shimon bar Yochai. We will discuss the secret power of counting, the transcendent intellect that sweetens each day another place in the mind, rebuilding the divine form through the seven weeks of Omer, and how the kavvanot of the ari'zal are the guided meditations that reflect and influence the repair of the world. Look forward to all of you being there tonight. Avraham Chira
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Summer 2013
The Chasidic Contribution to Lag B'Omer
Class date: May 8, 2013 |
Some say that Couples who marry on Lag B'Omer are permitted to fast because there is no mention of the holiday in the Talmud. Is that code for aying this is somehow a day of dubious origins? Maybe not, but it does show that holidays missing a Talmudic imprimatur have, at least to some, a secondary status. Dubious origins, however, do not impede Hasidic enthusiasm for Lag B'Omer. In fact, its mysteries enhance the holiday's power and fire. Tonight, we'll see how the customs evolved along with their symbolic sginificance and meaning.
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Summer 2013
The Ten Main Teachings of the Ari'zal; The Shaping of Divine Consciousness
Class date: May 9, 2013 |
Shalom to all. It is good to be back for our new semester. Tomorrow night we will begin a journey into some of the deepest teachings of the Kabbalah with the Ari'zal's explication of human history throughthe window of Torah, the soul of Adam and his sin, the generations that followed, their gradual repair , and the implications of these teachings for our generation, and understanding our place in the overall pattern and structure of human time.. This class is not for the skeptic or agnostic, but for those ,who are open to an expanded understanding of history , the great role and purpose of the Jewish , people, and perhaps a spark of our own Divine consciousness.
Look forward to seeing all of you.
Avraham Chira
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Chumash (Bible: Torah)
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Summer 2013
Introduction to Korach
Class date: May 6, 2013 |
Welcome to all the new and returning students.
We learned the first 18 verses of text from Chapter 16 in Bamidbar. We introduced some of the characters of Korach.
Rashi asks why is the verb ויקח used when describing Korach? How does Rashi understand Onkelos on this question?
According to Rashi,
why did Korach choose to rebel? What events caused this?
How did Datan and Aviram join forces?
What approach did Korach utilize to state his case? How did he try to deligitimize Moshe?
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Setting of the Rebellion
Class date: May 13, 2013 |
Acc. to the Ibn Ezra,
when did this story take place?
Where did this take place?
what led to this?
what enticed reuven?
what enticed korach?
what is the proof regarding Reuven/Bechorim
Acc to the Ramban:
where did this take place?
when did this story take place?
Where did this take place?
what led to this?
what enticed reuven?
what enticed korach?
Shavua tov vchag sameach
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Summer 2013
Yom HaShoa
Class date: Apr 8, 2013 |
Dearest Friends & Students,
We are very much looking forward to resume our weekly learning, based on the teachings of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach ztz'l on the Torah.
In the meantime, please take a look at some incredibly powerful footgae we just published this week, in honor of Yom Hashoah.
Can't Stop Crying http://youtu.be/6hUhTteFElI
Jew by Choice: http://youtu.be/qkW_-rfQka4
Holding Onto the Shoes: http://youtu.be/7HMYBzTgjsU
Living Ashes: http://youtu.be/8NjHLS6k0O8
The Six Million's Last Will: http://youtu.be/OclK30TEgA8
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Parshat HaShavua
Class date: Apr 22, 2013 | | |
Shavuot
Class date: May 13, 2013 |
Dear Friends & Students,
Join us tonight as we prepare ourselves for Shavues, by beggining to understand what exactly took place, both physically and spiritualy, when we heard Hashem;s voice for the first and only time.
Looking Forward
Shlomo
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Parshat Behar
Class date: Apr 29, 2013 |
Dearest Friends & Students,
Join us tonight as we learn Parshat Behar based on the teachongs of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach ztz'l.
See u at 8pm, Israel time.
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Couldn't find what you were looking for in Chumash (Bible: Torah)? Use the form on the right to narrow your search, or click here to browse the entire Chumash (Bible: Torah) department.
Halacha (Jewish Law)
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Summer 2013
Is Your Chicken Kosher?
Class date: May 7, 2013 |
Hello Everyone, Today was an inroduction to the laws of treifot. We saw that the realities of poultry farming have changed during the past 50 years. Whereas throughout Jewish history there was an assumption that chickens are treifah-free this may no longer be the case (at least according to some authorities). Today chickens are raised in crowded coops where they have very little room to move , they receive vaccinations during the "chick" stage of their growth, and they are exposed to viruses that apparently did not affect the chickens of our granparents' (or perhaps even our parents' ) time. Because of these changes many authorities claim that we can no longer ignore the possibility of treifot in poultry.I hope you enjoed today's shiur. I realize that these shiurim will introduce many of you to a new vocabulary. I will try to make myself as clear as possible. Please feel free to ask questions both during the shiurim and afterwards via e-mail. Thank-you, Stuart Fischman
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Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
The Mitzva of Living in Israel (April 10, 17, 24, May 1)
Class date: Apr 17, 2013 |
In our previous class, we surveyed the principle medieval authorities (Rishonim).
Today we will turn the most important modern poskim. Our first texts are drawn from the writings of R. Moshe Feinstein, the author if Iggerot Moshe.
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The Mitzva of Living in Israel (April 10, 17, 24, May 1)
Class date: Apr 24, 2013 |
Today we will focus on the opinion of Rav Ovadya Yosef, the former Chief Sefardic Rabbi of Israel.
In addition to analyzing his approach to the mitsva of living in Israel, we will glean a number of principle of broad application throughout the whole of Torah.
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The Opinion of R. E.Y. Valdenberg
Class date: May 1, 2013 |
In our final class we will focus on the opinion of R. Eliezer Yehudah Valdenberg, the author of Shut Tsits Eliezer.
Analyzing his approach to the mitsva of living in Israel will open a window to a much broader definition of what is and what is not amitsva through the whole length and width of Jewish practice.
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The Mitzva of Living in Israel (April 10, 17, 24, May 1)
Class date: Apr 10, 2013 |
In our final class we will focus on the opinion of R. Eliezer Yehudah Valdenberg, the author of Shut Tsits Eliezer.
Analyzing his approach to the mitsva of living in Israel will open a window to a much broader definition of what is and what is not a mitsva through the whole length and width of Jewish practice.
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Summer 2013
Allocation of Limited Resources
Class date: May 5, 2013 |
In our first class we will begin by studying the approach of the great Rabbis to the question of how to allocate limited resources to tsedaka. Unfortunately, no society and surely no individual can satisfy all the needs of the poor. Who takes precedence?
The link will download the Hebrew sources we will study. In class we will translate and analyze them.
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The non-Torah-observant Poor & How to Investigate
Class date: May 12, 2013 |
In first topic today we will complete the approach of the Aruch ha-Shulcahn to supporting the non-Torah-observant poor.
Then we will turn to sources that explain how to investigate the poor to guarantee that they are worthy of receiving tsedaka.
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Summer 2013
The Torah requires us to fulfull any vows or oaths we make. In this course we will learn what consitutes a binding vow or oath. We will survey the opinions of the great rabbis and draw practical conclusions.
Sources are in Hebrew and will be translated and analyzed in class.
Click here to view the Vows and Oaths course page including handoutsTo vow or not to vow
Class date: May 8, 2013 |
In our first class, we will survey the rabbinic sources which discourage all vows and oaths.
The accompanying link will download the source materials in Hebrew. In class we will translate and explain these sources.
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Couldn't find what you were looking for in Halacha (Jewish Law)? Use the form on the right to narrow your search, or click here to browse the entire Halacha (Jewish Law) department.
Machshava (Jewish Thought)
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Summer 2013
Chovot Halevavot: Duties of the Heart
Class date: May 5, 2013 |
Hello Everyone, it's good to be back with all of you. Today we studied the beginning discussion of Chovot Halevavot. Rabbeinu Bachyah expalins that his goal is to educate us about the core beliefs of Judaism. Even if we all recite "Shma Yisrael; Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad we need to study what we mean when we say God is "Echad/One." It is terribly wrong to think that God 's "Oneness' is in any way similar to the "oneness" of something here on earth. There is only one president of Mexico and there was only one Elvis Presley but to say that their "oneness' is a paradigm for God's Oneness is heresy. Rabbeinu Bachya quotes approvingly an unnamed philosopher who stated that only a prophet or a profound philosopher can be said to be truly serving one God.
Now I cannot emphasize too strongly that this view of Rabbeinu Bachyah has its opponents. Many great figures in Judaism applauded the simple faith of the unlearned and opposed attempts to introduce systematic inquiry into faith. I cannot say which position is "correct" and I do not think I will ever achieve the profudity that Rabbeinu Bachyah demands. However I do think there is value in studying Rabbeinu Bachya's thoughts on Judaism since they certainly will help us to pay more attention to what we read from our siddurim every day..Thank-you for your time. Bye, Stuart Fischman
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Chovot Halevavot: Duties of the Heart
Class date: May 12, 2013 |
Hello everyone, Today we finished (for our purposes, since we skipped the more metaphysical chapters) the first section of Chvot Halevavot which deals with understanding Hashem's Unity (I capitalized "unity" to emphasize the uniqueness of Hashem's "unity"). Rabbeinu Bachya on the one hand emphasized that we are obligated to reach the most profound comprehension possible of Hashem's Oneness but then he tells us that we must be aware of the this paradox: as our conception of Hashem's Oneness becomes more clear, the more we realize that we know nothing. When become aware after stu that we know nothing accurate about Hashem then we have gained true knowledge of this Divine attribute. We saw that the great Chassidic thinker, the Sfat Emet , expressed a similar idea. He tells us that our ancestors made similar progress in their belief during the stages of their deliverance from Egypt. Starting with Moshe Rabbeinu's first appearance, through the parting of the Red Sea, the Jews progressed from possessing a "simple" belief in God until they reached the level that they learned that they understood nothing at all about God's true nature; and that is the highest level of all.
Chag sameiach to all, Stuart Fischman
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Summer 2013
Guide to the Perplexed
Class date: May 6, 2013 | | |
Guide to the Perplexed
Class date: May 13, 2013 | | |
Summer 2013
Pirkei Avot (The Ethics of Our Fathers) is one of the best known and most cited of Jewish texts. This beloved tractate of the Mishna composed of ethical maxims of the Rabbis is familiar for such maxims as "If I am only for myself, who am I?" (1:14) and "Say little and do much" (1:15).
Click here to view the Pirkei Avot course page including handoutsPirkei Avot
Class date: May 5, 2013 | | |
Pirkei Avot
Class date: May 12, 2013 | | |
Summer 2013
Opening Structure of Amidah
Class date: May 7, 2013 |
I'm looking forward to resuming our study of Rabbi Soloveitchik's teachings about prayer - we'll be picking up in the middle of this essay: http://www.webyeshiva.org/class.php?material=3928 from section starting on p. 163.
For those new to the series, no worries, we'll be picking up with new themes and no prior knowledge necessary, although you might want to review the essay we are dealing with and/or check these archives.
The essay we are studying comes fromthe volume Worship of the Heart (recommended you buy it) and I also suggest this siddur with the Rav's commentary.
Anyone desiring an intro the Rav's biography and thought can listen to this overview session.
I look forward to learning with you and of course welcome your input and comments as we go along. My email isjeffreysaks@gmail.com; Skype or GoogleChat name: jeffreysaks
You might also be interested in this essay I wrote in the Jerusalem Post on R Soloveitchik and the upcoming elections for Israel's Chief Rabbi.
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Couldn't find what you were looking for in Machshava (Jewish Thought)? Use the form on the right to narrow your search, or click here to browse the entire Machshava (Jewish Thought) department.
Mishna/Gemara (Talmud)
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Summer 2013
Analyzing the Talmud: Shabbat: Kol HaKeilim
Class date: May 6, 2013 | | |
Analyzing the Talmud: Shabbat: Kol HaKeilim
Class date: May 8, 2013 | | |
Analyzing the Talmud: Shabbat: Kol HaKeilim
Class date: May 10, 2013 | | |
Analyzing the Talmud: Shabbat: Kol HaKeilim
Class date: May 13, 2013 | | |
Summer 2013
A basic-level gemara course that aims primarily to improve the student's ability to logically parse a gemara sugya. Later on in the semester, the shiur will begin to focus more on understanding Rashi's approach as a commentator and innovator. Some of the comments and innovations of Tosafot will also be included as time goes on.
The shiur is appropriate for students with a range of backgrounds who want to improve their skills working with a page of gemara, and at the same time want to be able to participate in the gemara's world of midrashic understandings of the written Torah, halachic discussion, and aggadic ideas. Prior general background in Jewish studies is helpful, but not essential.
This semester we will be learning a portion of Masechet Shabbat called "Kol HaKeilim" which discusses the laws of forbidden objects on Shabbat.
Click here to view the Reading the Rabbinic Mind: Forbidden Objects on Shabbat course page including handoutsReading the Rabbinic Mind: Forbidden Objects on Shabbat: Introduction to Muktze
Class date: May 7, 2013 |
Shalom and welcome to both new and continuing students in our gemara class "Reading the Rabbinic Mind: How to Understand Gemara".
In this zman, summer 5773, we again continue to study Masechet Shabbat, but we will now be learning chapter 17, "Kol HaKelim".
This chapter is primarily about various Shabbat prohibitions that we call by the term “muktze”. It is one of several places in Masechet Shabbat where different aspects of these prohibitions are discussed.
The material is interesting and the sugyot, at least in the early part of the chapter, are classic in terms of the approaches the amoraim take in trying to make sense of very terse tannaitic sources. I look forward to studying these sugyot with you, and I think that we will have a stimulating and enriching learning experience together in this material.
As I have in the past, I will emphasize throughout the semester a methodological approach to study of gemara. We will concentrate on how to break the Talmudic sugya into its logical pieces, and thereby understand the general direction of the argumentation and logic, before we drill down into the details of each piece in sequence. We will use the rishonim on the page—Rashi and Tosefot—primarily for sharpening our reading of the gemara.
I welcome your active participation by asking questions (and answering my questions) during the shiur. I would like to encourage all of you to use the Cisco Webex platform as it is meant to be used, by using your audio connection to ask questions that all the participants can hear. Don’t be bashful! Bashfulness can prevent our progressing in our learning! Should a question arise for you later, when you review the material between shiurim, you can either save the question for the beginning of the next shiur (I always try to allow time for this), or you can write me by email at any time at zurielyb@yahoo.com . Please feel free to contact me with any questions or issues.
I have posted for your convenience a few files that contain the text that we will be learning in our first shiurim, which will introduce the subject. You are welcome to look them over, particularly the sections from the Rambam.
In this, our first shiur, we will first go through the sections of the Rambam that lay down the general principles of muktze that we need to have as a basis for understanding the concepts in the mishna and gemara. Then we will learn the mishnayot of this chapter, before we actually start the first sugya of gemara on the opening mishna.
Looking forward to seeing you online on Tuesday!
Yitzhak Zuriel
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Introduction to the Different Types of Muktze (II)
Class date: May 9, 2013 |
In the last shiur, we had a general introduction to the subject of Muktze, the rabbinic-level prohibition on handling certain objects on Shabbat. We saw in the Rambam how this prohibition is part of a general group of rabbinic prohibitions aimed at ensuring the sanctity and atmosphere of Shabbat, and we saw the Rambam’s list of three specific reasons why this prohibition was legislated. At the end of the shiur, we read the first two of the Rambam’s list of the different types of objects, which have differentiated levels of prohibition. If you have any questions about any of the above, please ask them at the beginning of this shiur or alternatively by email.
In this shiur, we are going to finish our introduction to this subject by learning through the remainder of the different types of objects listed by the Rambam, with their different halachot. Following that, we will begin learning the mishnayot of chapter 17 of Masechet Shabbat.
Please note that there is a short break in the archive recording (from about 45-55 minutes in).
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Introduction to the Different Types of Muktze (III), Mishnayot Shabbat Chapter 17
Class date: May 14, 2013 |
In the last shiur, we progressed in the Rambam and learned about the basic laws and definitions of several of the categories of objects that are defined as levels of the prohibition of muktze. (Unfortunately due to a technical connection problem on my end, we lost several minutes of the hour and did not finish reading through this part of the Rambam.) Please review the material, and if you have any questions you may ask me at the beginning of this shiur or by email.
In this shiur, we will take the first several minutes of the shiur to complete the Rambam, covering the last few categories of muktze. Then we will learn the mishnayot of chapter 17 of Shabbat, in preparation for starting the gemara. These two sources are posted in digital format with these shiur notes and also in the email notification about the shiur page change as well.
(Please note that this shiur (Tuesday May 14) will take place on the day before (the eve of ) the Hag of Shavuot, but that on Thursday May 16 we will not be meeting because it is the 2nd day of Shavuot in the Diaspora. Our shiurim will resume on Tuesday May 21.)
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Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
Tales of the Land: Midrashim About Israel
Class date: Apr 15, 2013 | | |
Tales of the Land: Midrashim About Israel
Class date: Apr 18, 2013 | | |
Tales of the Land: Midrashim About Israel
Class date: Apr 22, 2013 | | |
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Navi / Ketuvim (Bible: Prophets/Writings)
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Summer 2013
Mishlei: Good vs Evil
Class date: May 9, 2013 |
perek 29 psukim 1-3
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Summer 2013
Exploring Samson's Story
Class date: May 6, 2013 |
Dear Students,
Welcome to summer session of 2013! I am very happy to welcome back students from past semesters and meet new students. I hope we will have an expanding learning experience together. I would like to get to know you and what your goals are. Please send me a short bio and your text background and translation skills.
We will be working on Book of Judges/Samson Chapters (13,14,15,16)
Goals:
1) To translate both verse (Posuk) and Rashi, and select commentaries accurately.
2) Finding the main point of verse and Rashi’s question on the text.
I will be giving you a weekly assignment of preparing a number of verses (and commentary for those who can) to the best of your ability.
I will upload:
1) Grammar sheets
2) A separate text and Rashi (sending two chapters this week and the rest next week)
Please print out the above so you can follow the text both with your print outs and on the screen.
For tomorrow:
Please read chapter yud gimmel(13) In English and break the pasukim ( verses) into units
e.g.verses 1-5 is talking about.... 6-12....etc.
Looking forward to getting started!!!
Osnat Goldman
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Exploring Samson's Story
Class date: May 13, 2013 |
Summer Session #2
Dear Students,
I really enjoyed meeting you ! I'm looking forward to a productive zman. I would appreciate you letting me know what your goals are so we can work together.
The assignment :
1)Read and translate verses (pasukim) bet-heh(2-5)
2)Please use the two cantillation markings:
the colon on top of a letter (zakef katan)
the horse shoe or wishbone shape(etnachta)under the letter as punctuation which will help make sense of the verse.
3)Spot the verbs in the pasuk
4)Look at Metzudat David aleph and bet
Do whatever you can to the best of your ability.
To my new students-Please feel free to email me if you need any help
All the best !
Osnat Goldman
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Couldn't find what you were looking for in Navi / Ketuvim (Bible: Prophets/Writings)? Use the form on the right to narrow your search, or click here to browse the entire Navi / Ketuvim (Bible: Prophets/Writings) department.
Spanish
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Soul Train y WebYeshiva.org en Español
Esta clase está basada en las enseñanzas del Rab Wolbe en su libro Alei Shur. El refinamiento del carácter y cualidades humanas constituyen un pilar en nuestra tradición, y constituyen las bases para el desarrollo del individuo, el cumplimiento de los preceptos y el cumplimiento de su misión particular y como parte del pueblo de Israel. Esta clase estará dedicada a todas aquellas que buscan conocerse a sí mismas y desarrollar su potencial.
Click here to view the Desarrollo Personal course page including handouts Desarrollo Personal
Class date: Apr 7, 2013 |
Introduccion al Curso. El desarrollo personal es fundamental en el judaismo y no secundario. Analisis desde las fuentes.
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Desarrollo Personal
Class date: Apr 14, 2013 |
En esta clase analizamos la importancia de Midat HaEmet (Verdad) como base para el desarrollo personal.
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Soul Train y WebYeshiva.org en Español
A lo largo de la historia, el Judío fue reconocido como un pueblo sabio y pensante y que gracias a sus contribuciones logró hacer muchos cambios en el mundo.
Esa sabiduría fue especialmente remarcada en los ojos del mundo por primera vez a través del famoso TALMUD hace más de dos mil años en el cual demostró inmenso conocimiento en todos los ámbitos de la vida, por ejemplo: en valores, física, matemática, ciencia, etc.
Este conjunto de libros llamado EL TALMUD fue escrito por nuestros Grandes Sabios de esa generación, llamados Tanahim y Emoraym, que se vieron obligados a escribir esta parte de la Tora oral, debido que con el correr del tiempo comenzó a olvidarse.
Los invito a descubrir esta sabiduría y tener una experiencia inolvidable
Click here to view the Descubriendo la sabiduría del Talmud course page including handoutsDescubriendo la sabiduría del Talmud
Class date: Apr 16, 2013 | | |
Soul Train y WebYeshiva.org en Español
Este curso invita a todas las participantes a pensar juntas el rol de mujer judía, en un mundo que complejo donde la mujer se enfrenta a nuevos desafíos.
Cuál es la perspectiva de la Torá? Puede la mujer ser bella, exitosa y a la vez ser judía creyente?
Todo esto y mucho más estaremos debatiendo en el curso de ¨La belleza de ser mujer¨ Las espero!!!
Click here to view the La belleza de ser mujer course page including handoutsLa belleza de ser mujer
Class date: Apr 16, 2013 | | |
La belleza de ser mujer
Class date: May 7, 2013 | | |
Couldn't find what you were looking for in Spanish? Use the form on the right to narrow your search, or click here to browse the entire Spanish department.
Special: Other Topics in Judaism
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Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
Day of Remembrance for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism (April 14)
Class date: Apr 14, 2013 | | |
Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
An American Rabbi in Israel (April 23)
Class date: Apr 23, 2013 | | |
Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
Counting of the Omer (April 21, 28, May 5)
Class date: Apr 21, 2013 | | |
Counting of the Omer (April 21, 28, May 5)
Class date: Apr 28, 2013 | | |
Counting of the Omer (April 21, 28, May 5)
Class date: May 5, 2013 | | |
Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
Holocaust Remembrance Day (April 4)
Class date: Apr 4, 2013 | | |
Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
Israel Independence Day (April 15 US/16 Israel)
Class date: Apr 16, 2013 | | |
Israel Semester: April 4 - May 10, 2013
Jewish Nationhood and Homeland Reflected in our Daily Prayer (April 30, May 7)
Class date: Apr 30, 2013 |
In this first of the two sessions, we will be looking at sections of Pesukei DeZimra that are relevant to the questions of the meaning of Jewish nationhood and Eretz Yisrael.
I have posted here the source that we did not finish in the first session
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Jewish Nationhood and Homeland Reflected in our Daily Prayer (April 30, May 7)
Class date: May 7, 2013 |
In this session, we will study segments from the core of the daily prayers: the blessings of Kriat Shema, and the Shemoneh Esreh, to examine how they provide understandings of Jewish nationhood and the meaning of Eretz Yisrael for the Jewish nation.
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Summer 2013
This course will deal with one of the deepest, longest-lasting and explosive tensions within historical Judaism, that between the mystical and the rational. Maimonides was highly critical of the proto-Kabalistic elements of the Judaism of his day, which he saw as corrupted and paganized, and he responded by rethinking Judaism as a universal and naturalistic system designed to lead the Jew towards God through a practical system of psychological and societal improvement. Understanding these two versions of Judaism has profound implications for how we live our lives today.
Thursdays, 7:30pm, Dallas time, beginning April 4, 2013 [10 weeks]
Click here to view the Maimonides Confrontation With Mysticism course page including handoutsMaimonides Confrontation With Mysticism
Class date: Apr 5, 2013 |
Today's class will offer an introduction to my aproach and and introduction to the Rambam. We will probably also have time to offer an introduction to our topic of Maimonides and Mysticism.
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Maimonides Confrontation With Mysticism
Class date: Apr 12, 2013 |
Of the two source packets that we sent out last week, we will be using this week the one that we did not get to last week
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Maimonides Confrontation With Mysticism
Class date: Apr 19, 2013 | | |
The Mystical View of the Mitzvot that Maimonides Confronted
Class date: Apr 26, 2013 |
today's class will finish up the subject of the Hebrew language and then go on to delve into the view of the mitzvot presently by Rebbi Yehudah haLevi
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The Mystical View of the Mitzvot - Rebbi Yehudah haLevi, The Ramban, The Ran
Class date: May 3, 2013 | | |
The Maimonidean View of the Mitzvot
Class date: May 10, 2013 | | |
Yiddish
Yiddish means, literally, "Jewish". No wonder this was the language spoken by Ashkenazi Jews in many parts of the world. In this course we will learn the fundamentals of Yiddish: the alphabet, key verbs (and conjugation patterns), key nouns, important phrases and essential grammar. At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to read Yiddish texts, understanding a great part of it and being able to find in the dictionary unknown words.
April 18 - June 27 (10 weeks)
Cost: $36 USD
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Click here to view the Mamaloshen: Yiddish for Beginners course page including handoutsIntroduction and the Alphabet
Class date: Apr 19, 2013 |
Hello, dear students!
I hope you all enjoy the experience of learning this wonderful language called Yiddish. At our first class we are going to see some special characteristics of the Yiddish Alphabet (and what makes it different from the Hebrew one) and also some basic vocabulary.
If we have time, we are going to start discussing the verbs, the present tense and the personal pronouns.
I expect to see you there!
Best Regards
Diego R.
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Mamaloshen: Yiddish for Beginners
Class date: Apr 26, 2013 |
Hello, dear students!
After learning the Yiddish Alphabet and the personal pronouns, this week we are going to focus on verbs and the present tense in Yiddish. With this we will increase our vocabulary.
We are going to learn an Yiddish song, and, if we have time, we are going to discuss the important "to be" and "to have" verbs. (Notice that the file in the upload has more material than what we are going to cover in this class and that will be left for next classes).
Best Regards
Diego R.
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Mamaloshen: Yiddish for Beginners
Class date: May 3, 2013 |
Hello, dear students!
Last week we learned some useful Yiddish verbs and also two irregular ones: "to be" and "to have".
This week we are going to review the interrogatives "where?", "who?" and "what?", and are going to focus in in Yiddish gender, learning the different articles of the language.
If we have time, we are going to study one more Yiddish song, discuss word order in Yiddish phrases and start to learn the numbers.
Best Regards
Diego R.
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Mamaloshen: Yiddish for Beginners
Class date: May 10, 2013 |
Hello, dear students!
Last week we discussed Yiddish articles, word order (affirmatives and interrogatives), and the special feature of contraction of verbs with the pronoun "Du" (דו).
This week we are going to learn new interrogative pronouns and we will start to learn the numbers. We are also going to discuss negative sentences and, if we have time, plural of nouns.
Best Regards
Diego R.
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Summer 2013
S.Y. Agnon's novella "In the Prime of Her Life" (Bidmei Yameha) is a tale of love lost and found, and the profound way the older generation shapes the life of its children, as told through the perspective of a young female narrator. This biblical and lyrical weaving of a modern and complex Hebrew love story will be explored in our 3-part mini-series on the Nobel laureate's novella with Rabbi Jeffrey Saks.
We will enjoy the story from a literary perspective, while unraveling the "intertexts" of classical Jewish sources from which Agnon builds his writing. "In the Prime of Her Life" will be read in English translation, with references to the original Hebrew text - but Hebrew fluency is not required to participate.
Sundays, May 12, 19 and 26 at 7:00-8:30 PM Jerusalem time.
Participate in the course live in Agnon's own house in Talpiot, Jerusalem, or via the simultaneous, interactive, online broadcast via WebYeshiva.org. (Sessions will be recorded and archived for those unable to join in "real time").
For more information email office@webyeshiva.org
The Hebrew text of the story appears in Agnon's volume Al Kapot HaManul. The English translation is available in Eight Great Hebrew Short Novels (Toby Press). Electronic copies will be available for those who register for the course.
Cost: $25 for the series.
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Click here to view the Midrash Agnon: In the Prime of Her Life course page including handoutsMidrash Agnon: In the Prime of Her Life - Part 1
Class date: May 12, 2013 |
For three weeks we'll explore Agnon's long story "In the Prime of Her Life", which explores themes of star-crossed love and the connection between generations. The novella is a prequel of sorts to Agnon's novel "A Simple Story" which we learned last summer (click here for archive).
If possible please read the whole story before our session. Contact me if you'd like to receive the original Hebrew (which appears in Agnon's collection of love stories Al Kapot HaManul and is available in an annotated edition as well).
Listen to Agnon read the opening section of the novella here.
Visit www.WebYeshiva.org/AgnonArchives to access recordings of all past Agnon sessions.
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Summer 2013
In this class we will learn about the lives, history, philosophy and teachings of Rabbi Akiva and five of his students; Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Yossei, Rabbi Shimon, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua. We will have two classes on Bar Kochba and the possible connection to the deaths of Rabbi Akiva's students mourned durint the counting of the Omer between Passover and Shavuot. Additionally, we will learn about Elisha ben Avuyha, who became an apostate because of the things he saw during that time.
Click here to view the Rabbi Akiva and His Students course page including handoutsRabbi Akiva
Class date: May 8, 2013 |
In this first class in the series we will look at the life and teachings of Rabbi Akiva. Little is known of his family background, and how he rose from a simple shepherd to become the leader of Jews (and perhaps the most significant Jewish figure since Moshe Rabbeinu)
We will look at his life, his wives, his teachings and his martyr's death. In addition (time permitting) we will see how his life history influenced his ideology and his Torah views.
We will touch on his disagreement with Rabbi Yishmael concerning the fundamental nature of Torah and how it should be learned, his view of the most important mitzvah, and his messianic vision.
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Summer 2013
Tehillim and Tefilla: The Psalms We Pray
Class date: May 5, 2013 |
Perek 116, from start to end. David Hamelech teaching us how to survive the difficulties in life.
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Tehillim and Tefilla: The Psalms We Pray
Class date: May 12, 2013 |
Perek 117 Hallelu et Hashem. The era of Mashiach
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Summer 2013
When the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy are read in synagogue every year, many of us are on summer vacation and tend to be out of the loop. This class will help bring us back into that loop.
In this survey of some of the fundamental themes of Jewish life, thought and law, we analyze highlights from the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy as a framework and jumping off point, delving into the ideas suggested by the biblical texts in a manner passionately sympathetic both to tradition and to modern criticism and doubt. Occasionally we plumb the depths of the Torah portion from a Hassidic vantage point, meaning that we focus on spiritual and psychological insights that may be garnered from the material. Ample time is left for questions and group discussion.
Tuesdays, 8:15 – 9:15am, Dallas time (4:15 - 5:15pm, Israel time)
Click here to view the The Torah Portions They Never Told us About course page including handoutsThe Death of Aaron
Class date: Apr 16, 2013 | | |
Bilaam and Balak-The Big Picture
Class date: Apr 30, 2013 | | |
The Israelites Go A-Whoring for Baal Peor
Class date: May 7, 2013 | | |
The Torah Portions They Never Told us About
Class date: Apr 9, 2013 | | |
Religious Zealotry - The Big Picture
Class date: May 14, 2013 |
Today's class will continue the subject of Pinchas and Eliahu begun last time, expanding the canvas to a larger discussion of zealotry in Jewish Thought
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