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Candle lighting is at 7:34 pm on Friday, August 22. This week's Torah portion is Parashat Eikev. Havdalah starts 60 minutes after sundown, at 8:50 pm on Saturday, August 23. Courtesy of hebcal.com |
Rabbi Alan Yuter provides an excellent forum for you to explore our religion, culture, and heritage in a series of adult education offerings. Whether you have been immersed in Jewish learning for years, or are just beginning, you are sure to find something that will satisfy your interests and curiosity and support your spiritual and religious life. The following courses, given at B'nai Israel Congregation, are free and open to members of B'nai Israel as well as the general public: Feminism in the Jewish High Middle AgesWe study how Jewish men defined women and how women with economic power impacted the manner in which society ran and how rabbis issued rulings. This was a culture that was committed to Jewish religious law on one hand, yet insisted on affirming its humanity on the other. We study the synthesis that history records. The feminism of today has its roots in medieval Jewish culture. By understanding our past and the precedents it records, we better appreciate the decisions, conflicts and challenges in our Jewish present. Wednesday Beit MidrashOur learning focuses upon two types of rabbinic writing, Talmud and Law. In our study of Talmud, we examine what and how Talmud works. Vocabulary lists and translations are provided so that language issues do not get in the way. We study the Talmud with the "scientific" method, which pays attention not only to content, but to the idioms, structures, word choice, historical context, and religious ideas. Our study of law examines the rules of the Jewish court, its symbolism, authority, and procedures. In the Jewish tradition, knowledge is power and authority resides in the principle of the holy book, while pagan cultures empower the holy person. By empowering every individual, the ruled and the rulers are committed to the same rules, which are governed by a commitment to fairness and equity. Maimonides' CodeWe consider contemporary Jewish issues based upon Maimonides' Code. This code restates the Talmudic legal conclusion in accessible idioms. When Orthodox rabbis disagree with the Talmud and Maimonides, the reasons they offer are examined. The focus of this learning session is to show how legitimate Jewish claims are made, and how rabbis try to be both rational and responsible in their decision-making Genesis for AdultsWe examine the Jewish people's foundation narratives for the values that will be appearing as laws, beginning in Exodus. The relationship between narrative and law, law and ethics, and the archeological record that helps us to understand that narrative are explored, along with the medieval commentators, who related our foundation narratives to their historical reality.Other Upcoming Topics
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