This weekly class uncovers how the Talmud and later rabbinic texts have defined Jewish thought and practice from antiquity up to today. Using core Talmudic texts as a foundation, we see how the earliest rabbis thought deeply about issues of Jewish ritual, philosophy, spirituality, and civic life. We explore how those ideas evolved over the millennia and across the globe to influence Jewish life today. This class essentially asks versions of the big question: “How did it come to be that certain Jews do [fill in the blank]?” We learn about the key periods, figures, and texts in rabbinic history; the intellectual and spiritual diversity of global Jewish life; and the ways that Halakha (Jewish law) has developed and evolved to this day.

Classes are a mix of close-text reading, group reflection and questions, and several lectures on introductory concepts. This class is ideal for beginner and intermediate learners - no prior knowledge is assumed, and all texts are provided in both English translation and their original language (Hebrew and Aramaic). While recordings of past classes are available if missed, note that this is ideally not a drop-in class, as we are studying the evolution of Jewish practice and thought, and each class builds upon those before.

Currently, we are examining an area of Jewish practice known as “tznius” - often translated as “modesty” – often thought only to apply to traditionally observant women. We’ll discover, though, that this is actually an expansive area of Jewish thought and practice applicable to all, and that it is only recently that it has possibly become vastly misunderstood and misapplied. More broadly, this theme will enable us to ask questions and explore ideas of Jewish egalitarianism, feminism, and ethical conduct.