A History of Halacha in 100 Objects
In a blatant rip-off of the popular BBC series (History of the World in 100 Objects), Rabbi Jeffrey Saks will explore topics in Jewish law and lore through the prism of our material and physical objects – ritual items, tashmishei kedusha and mitzva, art, etc. – to gain insight into halachic practice and Jewish culture. As with most of our courses each session will stand on its own as we travel around the Jewish world and its history.
A History of Halacha in 100 Objects: The nature of Jewish ritual-material culture
A History of Halacha in 100 Objects: TEKHELET
TEKHELET: Special guest shiur with Dr. Baruch Sterman of Ptil Tekhetet (www.tekhelet.com) and author of Rarest Blue: The Remarkable Story of an Ancient Color Lost to History and Rediscovered.
A History of Halacha in 100 Objects: The Talmud
TALMUD: See this recent news item for the timeliness of discussing the printed Talmud as a “mitzvah object” and this online museum catalog for a wealth of background, images and resources. [UPDATE Dec 23: See THIS news story on the auction of the Bomberg Talmud for $9.3 million!]
Rabbi Jeffrey Saks is the founding director of ATID – The Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions in Jewish Education, in Jerusalem, and its WebYeshiva.org program. He is the Editor of the journal Tradition, Series Editor of The S.Y. Agnon Library at The Toby Press, and Director of Research at the Agnon House in Jerusalem. A three-time graduate of Yeshiva University (BA, MA, Semicha), Rabbi Saks has published widely on Jewish thought, education, and literature (see www.webyeshiva.org/rabbisaks).