Come join Rabbi Bob for a stimulating discussion of the weekly Torah Portion. Reading the Bible as literature, we compare and contrast ancient and modern approaches to the Text. Some topics may be controversial: Who could have written a particular passage of the Torah? When may it have been written? Why did one ancient story become Scripture, and others, not?No background in Hebrew or Bible necessary.
We will read Talmud, in translation, and bring to this study traditional scholarship and our own life experience. All levels of knowledge are welcome.
We will have a discussion based on the book of the same name by James Kugel, former professor of Bible and Archaeology at Harvard. An Orthodox Jew, Professor Kugel presents the modern theories about Biblical events and writers, and offers an explanation of the mindset of the creators and editors of the Bible that is consistent with Jewish theology. His presentation is clear and enjoyable reading; answers to many questions about the Bible are found within. This is an interactive class with many viewpoints.
Why did God redeem us – What’s in it for God and what’s in it for us? Today we think of freedom as an ultimate goal for humanity, but the Israelites suffered the anguish and pain of freedom with its resposibilities and burdens. In these interactive, intergenerational sessions, we will explore these and many other themes of Exodus. The text is studied with classical and modern commentaries and contemporary film clips.
Students will learn to read Hebrew and then use their reading skills to master Shabbat and Holiday prayers, reading for fluency and understanding. This class will culminate with the option of participating in Adult B’nai Mitzvah.
This course is a continuation of Hebrew for Beginners. The class will learn addition Shabbat and Holiday prayers that were not covered in the beginning class including Erev Shabbat Kiddush, L’cha Dodi, Hatikvah, Shalom Rav, Shalom Alechem, Ayn Kamocha, and more.
Congregation B'nai Torah | 2789 Oak Street | Highland Park, IL 60035 | voice: 847-433-7100 | fax: 847-432-3284 | Email us