The Power of Place II

Deepen your roots in Eretz Yisrael with a class that’s firmly based in the Tanach, enriched with archaeology and brought up to date with Zionist history. In each of the places we visit on our virtual tours we’ll follow three narratives of Jewish independence – the stories of the bible, the Second Temple and Bar Kokhva revolts, and the miraculous rebirth and struggle for survival of the Jewish state in the twentieth century. We’ll concentrate on the area of greater Jerusalem with six day tours with Shulie Mishkin to round out the experience (separate registration and payment).

Class is open to men & women. 

Semester I – Philosophy and Selected Writings of Rav Kook with Mali Brofsky

HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook is one of the most outstanding figures of our time – a scholar, a poet, a philosopher, a mystic, a traditionalist, an iconoclast, and a spiritual giant. His visionary leadership transformed the world in which he lived, and influences Israeli and Jewish life to this day.

In this course, we will explore the thought and writings of this complex thinker, and their continued relevance for us today.

Class is open to women only.   

Semester II – Foundations of Belief with Bracha Krohn

We will learn the Kuzari from February until Pesach and the Sefer haChinuch from after Pesach through June.

‘The Kuzari‘ , one of the most important works in Jewish philosophy, was written in the mid-twelfth century by the famous Rabbi Yehuda haLevi. A discourse between two figures, King and Rabbi, the book explores the foundations of faith, reason and existence. While long accepted as mainstream, many of its assumptions profoundly challenge attitudes of Modern Orthodox Jews. We’ll engage with some of those challenges while enjoying this work’s broad scope.

The Sefer haChinuch suggests reasons behind our Mitzvot. Our study will help us understand many mitzvot more thoroughly and we’ll learn at least one suggested rationale for each Mitzvah we discuss, encouraging us to think about our actions and overcome our natural tendency to do them by rote as we never have before. As we approach Chag Matan Torah, we will be ready with a renewed passion and commitment to Mitzvot.

Class is open to women only.   

HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook is one of the most outstanding figures of our time – a scholar, a poet, a philosopher, a mystic, a traditionalist, an iconoclast, and a spiritual giant. His visionary leadership transformed the world in which he lived, and influences Israeli and Jewish life to this day.

In this course, we will explore the thought and writings of this complex thinker, and their continued relevance for us today.

Class is open to women only.   

We will learn the Kuzari from February until Pesach and the Sefer haChinuch from after Pesach through June.

‘The Kuzari‘ , one of the most important works in Jewish philosophy, was written in the mid-twelfth century by the famous Rabbi Yehuda haLevi. A discourse between two figures, King and Rabbi, the book explores the foundations of faith, reason and existence. While long accepted as mainstream, many of its assumptions profoundly challenge attitudes of Modern Orthodox Jews. We’ll engage with some of those challenges while enjoying this work’s broad scope.

The Sefer haChinuch suggests reasons behind our Mitzvot. Our study will help us understand many mitzvot more thoroughly and we’ll learn at least one suggested rationale for each Mitzvah we discuss, encouraging us to think about our actions and overcome our natural tendency to do them by rote as we never have before. As we approach Chag Matan Torah, we will be ready with a renewed passion and commitment to Mitzvot.

Class is open to women only.   

Monarchy Begins: Melech B’Yisrael

Shmuel I           

Shani Taragin

For women

Leaving behind the anarchy of Sefer Shoftim, we’ll turn to the rise of the monarchy in Sefer Shmuel I. We will learn how kingship is addressed in the Torah and how the dangers, challenges and opportunities are presented by Shmuel HaNavi as he crowns Saul, the first king of Israel. We will explore the military expeditions of Saul against the Philistines and his successes and shortcomings as a leader, continuing with the intriguing figure of David. From his prowess first as shepherd and musician, then as a soldier in the service of Saul, we’ll bring David’s personality to life, as his faith in Hashem carries him through the transition from fugitive to founder of the first dynasty of kings.

We’ll focus on the religious commentary offered by Shmuel HaNavi and his disciples – Gad and Natan, employing literary devices such as parallelisms, motifs, structural techniques and word play, as well as classical medieval and modern parshanut as we learn the messages of nevuah and appreciate their relevance for today.

Individual day tours to the focal sites of these narratives will accompany the course (separate registration and payment).

On dates of scheduled individual day tours with Shulie Mishkin, this course will not take place.

Individual day trips in English, with expert tour guide Shulie Mishkin, on selected Wednesdays throughout the year. The sites visited will accompany the material learned in both Shani Taragin’s Tanach course and Sara Jo Ben Zvi’s Jewish History course.

All tours will depart from: Upper Machar Parking Lot, David HaMelech St., Efrat and will return there at the times designated below.

Open to men & women.  Note: Dates are subject to change

Price: Annual Course (6 day tours): 1,050 NIS.

Registration for annual tour course by Oct. 7th: 900 NIS

Individual day trip: 200 NIS

#1   Inhabitants of the Land – Setting the Scene:  Weds. Dec. 4, 2019

Who were the adversaries of Am Yisrael when they first entered the land? Where does the story of the Givonim take place? We will visit Tel Gezer, a large and powerful Canaanite city that becomes one of Shlomo’s royal cities. We’ll then continue to Jaffa and renew our acquaintance with the Plishtim, as well as encounter later inhabitants of this seaport town.

Sites: Tel Gezer, Latrun, Old Jaffa Visitors’ Center.  Return time: 6 PM.                                                                                                                             

#2    Land of Benjamin:   Weds. Jan. 15, 2019

We will journey into the territory of the tribe of Benjamin – the area of Saul’s and Samuel’s homes, and the backdrop for many of Saul’s early tests of leadership.

Sites: Nebi Samuel and Nahalat Binyamin Visitors’ Center.  Return time: 2:30 PM

#3   Desert Escape:   Weds. Feb. 5, 2020

We will follow David’s footsteps as a fugitive in the caves and oases of the Judean desert.

Sites: Ein Gedi, Qumran, Avtimus Monastery.   Return time: 6:30 PM

#4   The First Kingdom of Judah:   Weds. Mar. 4, 2020

What were King David’s first steps as king? We will examine his early days as king in the southern Hebron Hills and in Hebron itself.

Sites: View to Hebron Hills, Sussya. Hebron – Mearat HaMachpelah, Tel Rumeida, Avraham Avinu Synagogue.   Return time: 6 PM

Last two day tours cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions – stay tuned for next year’s course which will include these tours.

#5   King David’s Powerful Kingdom?   

We will visit the border area between the Philistines and Israel, and see some of the exciting new archaeology that is redefining our understanding of our relationship with the Philistines and the strength of David’s kingdom.

Sites: Kayafa, Tel Beit Shemesh.  Return time: 2:30 PM

#6   Jerusalem of Gold – One City, Undivided   

An in-depth look at the City of David and its role as the capital of Israel. The riddle of Yoav’s capture of the city, the connection between Ir David and the Temple Mount (Har Hamoriya), with a glimpse of subterranean Jerusalem and the streets walked by pilgrims and rebels.

Site: Ir David – City of David Visitors’ Center.   Return time: 2:30 PM

With Batya Hefter

With Batya Hefter

Thursdays 9-10:30

Hassidut translated medieval Kabbalah into an internal experience of God through dvekut. Join us every Friday morning as we explore the early masters who fashioned what is arguably the most successful spiritual movement in Jewish History. 

4 classes

May 1-22

Scholars who have studied Hasidic tales have often done so by focusing on antecedents of the tale, tracking the genealogy of the story and possible precedents. In this series we turn the tables, focusing on how the retelling of a particular Hasidic tale reflects theological conundrums, communal challenges, or personal narratives. How does the retelling of the story reflect cultural, religious, and communal contexts?

Beit Yaakov

Batya Hefter

Rabbi Avraham Leader

Feb. 7: On Rabbi Avraham Aboulafia’s Teachings and Vocal Meditation

Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem

Feb. 14: Focusing for Tefila with Rebbe Nachman – Texts and Hitbodedut

Feb. 21: Guided imagery from Rabbi Eckstein (Visions of a Compassionate World) as preparation for prayer

Guided visualization of Yetziat Mitzrayim

These classes will plumb the hidden depths of the Yamim Noraim as revealed in the literature of the Zohar. What secrets does the Shofar reveal on Rosh Hashana? And what are the vows we dissolve as the gates of prayer open on Yom Kippur? What lies behind the oft-repeated formula of G-d’s thirteen names of mercy and how does it connect with the Arba Minim of Sukkot and the sacred space of the Sukkah?

Hassidut translated medieval Kabbalah into an internal experience of God through dvekut. Join us every Friday morning as we explore the early masters who fashioned what is arguably the most successful spiritual movement in Jewish History. Together we will study the works of the Ba’al Shem Tov and his disciples. One session a month will be presented alternatively by Rabbi Zvi Leshem and Dr. Yakov Azriel.