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The Talmud is full of rich aggadic stories that offer not only a window into the lives and times of the rabbis but narratives meant to teach us about our own lives. In this 4-part series, we’ll touch on some of the lesser known Talmudic stories and mine them for their literary richness. From spurned dinner guests to miraculous ovens, from powerful leaders and the women who outsmart them, these stories are sure to delight, surprise, and perhaps even challenge our expectations.
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Rabbi Avi Strausberg is the Director of National Learning Initiatives at Hadar, and is based in Washington, DC. She received her rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College in Boston and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She also holds a Masters in Jewish Education. Energized by engaging creatively with Jewish text, she has written several theatre pieces inspired by the Torah and maintains a Daf Yomi haiku blog in which she writes daily Talmudic haikus.
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Thursday May 6th – Where Does True Power Reside?
In our first session, we’ll explore our own understandings of power, by turning to a rich agadda (story) from Massekhet Tamid. We’ll see one of the most well-known conquerors in the world, Alexander the Great, in debate with the Sages as well as a city of women. Through these encounters, we’ll uncover where true power really lies.
Thursday May 13th – To Whose Prayer Does God Listen?
In our second session, we’ll explore the world of prayer and ask, “To whose prayers does God listen?” As we turn to stories from Massekhet Taanit, we’ll explore the relationship between prayer and power and discover that the most powerful prayer sometimes comes from unexpected places.
Thursday May 20th – Dinner Party Disaster
In our third session, we’ll see a dinner party gone wrong, a guest snubbed, and a world destroyed. As we turn to the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza from Massekhet Gittin, we’ll learn that what counts is not only what we do, but what we don’t do as well.
Thursday May 27th – Qustions About Tzedakah and Giving
In our final session, we’ll turn to Massekhet Ketubot and wrestle with questions around tzedakah and giving. We’ll witness the Sages faced with beggars asking for food and money and we’ll see that like us, they too struggle with when and how much to give. We’ll use these stories as an opportunity to reflect on our impulses and questions around giving in our own lives.
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This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.
CSP Partners: Beth Israel (San Diego, CA), Congregation Beth Shalom (Seattle, WA), Congregation B’nai Tzedek (Fountain Valley, CA), Congregation B’nai Israel (Tustin, CA), Jewish Collaborative of Orange County, CA, Temple Bat Yahm (Newport Beach, CA), Temple Beth El of South Orange County (Aliso Viejo, CA), Temple Beth Emet (Anaheim, CA), Temple Beth Ohr (La Mirada, CA), Temple Beth Tikvah (Fullerton, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA), Temple Beth Sholom (Santa Ana, CA), Temple Emanuel (Newton, MA), Town & Village Synagogue (NYC, NY), University Synagogue (Irvine, CA) & Valley Beth Shalom (Encino, CA)
