Around the Calendar with Drisha

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are unique to Sukkot or act as paradigms of broader Torah values.

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are unique to Sukkot or act as paradigms of broader Torah values.

Session 2: Open the Gates

Rosh HaShanah, through Yom Kippur, are viewed as a time when the Gates of Rahamim, Mercy, are particularly receptive - an Et shaareh ratson. We will look at several central piyytim that develop this theme, and that introduce the Shofar and prayers of the day.

Session 1: Wake Up

Throughout the month of Elul, Jewish communities rise early for Selihot, whose words and melodies serve to awaken us to teshuva (repentance) and Seliha (forgiveness). We will study the text and themes of several Selihot piyyutim together, including the opening piyyut "Ben Adam Mah Lekha Nirdam" ("Human Being, Why do you Slumber?")

Our Rosh Hashana liturgy is full of stories of mothers who sacrifice. Hagar and Hannah sacrifice their sons. Sarah and Em Sisra's sons are sacrificed by others. Rachel is sacrificed for her child. This course will explore these stories of maternal sacrifice and raise questions about the role of maternal sacrifice in creation. Specifically, is it necessary? Even if it is necessary, is it good?

Our Rosh Hashana liturgy is full of stories of mothers who sacrifice. Hagar and Hannah sacrifice their sons. Sarah and Em Sisra's sons are sacrificed by others. Rachel is sacrificed for her child. This course will explore these stories of maternal sacrifice and raise questions about the role of maternal sacrifice in creation. Specifically, is it necessary? Even if it is necessary, is it good?

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are unique to Sukkot or act as paradigms of broader Torah values.

The Yamim Noraim prayers have their own distinctive nusach, as well as many melodies which are sung in various communities. In this three part series, we will listen to and reflect upon selected niggunim and songs, exploring how the music reflects an understanding of the liturgy.

In this series, we will conduct a close reading of the text of Lamentations. We will focus on the poetry, the significance of Jerusalem's destruction and the ways it is shown, the use of gender in the book, and the ideas of mourning, exile, and return.

In this series, we will conduct a close reading of the text of Lamentations. We will focus on the poetry, the significance of Jerusalem's destruction and the ways it is shown, the use of gender in the book, and the ideas of mourning, exile, and return

One of the Highlights of the Yom Kippur service is the reenactment of the service of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. We will take a close look at this central part of the Yom Kippur service and how it reflects the core themes of the day.