VIII. JEWISH HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND THOUGHT

A. THE HISTORY AND MEANING OF JEWISH PRAYER

Come join us as we discover the history and meaning of key Jewish prayers. Our first session will explore the origins of Jewish prayer after the biblical system of animal sacrifice ceased with the destruction of the second Temple in 70 C.E. In this session, we will also trace the 2,000 year old debate on the importance of meaning what we pray versus the importance of praying from a standardized Hebrew prayer book, especially regarding the prayer known as the Amidah. Our second session will investigate the deep meanings associated with the Shema. The third session will consider the strange and surprising history and meaning of the Kaddish.

Instructor: Dr. Jeff Hoffman, Rabbi-in-Residence at The Academy of Jewish Religion and Adjunct Professor of Liturgy at The Jewish Theological Seminary.
Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
February 4, 11, 18

B. PHILOSOPHY

In the spring, Rabbi Tucker will again teach three sessions on Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the most important Jewish philosophers of the 20th century. We will, this year, explore Heschel’s writings more deeply as they relate to revelation, prophecy, Jewish law and Jewish theology, and thus come to understand him more as a groundbreaking thinker of Conservative Judaism.

Instructor: Rabbi Gordon Tucker
Schedule: Thursdays, 8:15 - 9:45 PM
January 7, 14, 21


C. CONTEMPORARY JEWISH THOUGHT

This is an informal study group led by Rabbi Gordon Tucker that meets Saturdays at 8:00 AM, just prior to the Shabbat morning service, to read texts and discuss issues relating to being a Conservative Jew in the contemporary world. Please register with Rabbi Tucker by providing him with your email address.