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Spring 2004 SCHEDULE
All
courses are for women only unless otherwise noted. Course Levels Ma’ayan welcomes students of
all backgrounds to its classes. Each course is assigned a level number,
indicating the knowledge base and the degree of comfort with Hebrew texts
that is assumed of its enrollees. All courses, regardless of level, strive
for a sophisticated approach to the texts at hand. The level number indicates
the audience for which the teacher has prepared the material. Ma’ayan
classes are conducted in English and while texts are, for the most part,
presented in Hebrew, many are available in translation. For more information
about course levels, contact us directly. We are happy to answer questions. Level:
1 Little
or no experience with primary text study or Hebrew Level:
2 Some
text study background and Hebrew language skills Level:
3 Previous
experience with primary texts and Hebrew language Level:
All Course designed to
challenge students at many levels, yet is accessible to all. TALMUD
| CHUMASH
/ BIBLE | NAVI/PROPHETS
| RABBINIC THOUGHT
| TEFILLA/LITURGY| MINI COURSES | HEBREW LANGUAGE | COMMUNITY SEMINARS | LEIL IYUN |
TALMUD |
Sanhedrin Chapter Eight: Channa Lockshin Bob Level: 2 The eighth chapter of Sanhedrin begins
with a discussion of the Biblical Ben Sorer Umoreh (the Rebellious
Son). It then digresses into discussions of various complex life and death
situations. As we study the mishnayot of this chapter and then the gemara,
we will explore the different ways that Mishna and Talmud offer
interpretations of the Torah law, and how these Rabbinic texts balance
competing ethical and religious demands in difficult situations. Tuesdays, 8:00-9:15pm Twelve sessions: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 24, March 2, 9, 16, April 20, 27 May 4 Tuition: $180 Sanctity Set in Stone: AVI ROCKOFF Level: 3 How are Jewish spiritual
values embodied in synagogue architecture? How is sanctity set in
stone? We will continue to follow the halachic thread as it
leads from the discursive Talmudic text through analysis of poskim
(Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch) to historic and contemporary
synagogue construction and practice. Extra-talmudic textual sources as
well as relevant depictions of synagogues will be provided. Bring a Talmud Masechet
Megillah. Tuesdays, 8:00-9:15pm Nine sessions: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 24, March 2, 9, 16 Tuition: $135 |
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The Text and Beyond: Michal Bar-Asher Siegal Level: 2-3 We will continue to examine a selection
of the mitzvot that appear in Devarim, moving beyond the simple pshat
of the verses, exploring commentaries that span the centuries – ancient
writings (including those found at Qumran), Targumim, Rabbinic
literature and medieval commentary. Our primary focus will be the
interpretation of these mitzvot in the Midrashei Halacha
written during the Tanaitic period: sifre as well as the lesser known mechilta
and sifre zuta of Devarim. We will also relate the Devarim text to
parallel sections in other books of the Torah. All sources will be provided. Wednesdays, 8:00-9:15pm Thirteen sessions: Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 25, March 3, 10, 17, April 21, 28, May 5, 12 Young Tuition: $195 Course for Russian speakers Bein Kodesh L’Chol - Between Sacred
and Secular Бейн
кодеш
лехоль - Святое и
будничное Ora Genkina Между
святым и
будничным.
Ора
Генкина
Познакомившись
в прошлом
семестре с
историей
сотворения
мира и
первых
людей, мы продолжим
чтение
книги
Берешит (от
Адама до Ноаха)
и перейдем к
истории Авраама,
изучению
истока и
исторической
задачи,
произошедшего
от него
народа. Курс
базируется
на
классических
комментариях
и мидрашах,
позволяющих
достичь
более углубленного
понимания
смысла и
внутреннего
единства
текста. Четверг
8:00-9:15pm Январь
20, 27, Февраль
3, 10, 17, 24 Cong. Kadimah—Toras
Moshe Cтоимость
курса: $30 Seeds of Our Nation We will continue our study of Sefer
Breishit, moving on from the creation of the world and its first human
beings to the stories of Noah and Abraham, where we will investigate the
roots and mission of our nation. We will use classical commentaries to reach
a deeper understanding of the text and to convey the feeling of the wholeness
of Torah. Tuesdays, 8:00-9:15pm Jan 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 24 Cong. Kadimah—Toras Moshe Tuition: $30 (Partially funded by a grant from the Brookline-Brighton Jewish Community
Fund) |
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TEFILLA/ LITURGY |
Haggadah: Making the Spiral of History Personal Rachel Levitt Klein Level: 2-3 On Pesach, we strive to make the events of the
Haggadah a personal experience. Together we will explore the history behind the
Haggadah, its structure and themes, to help us achieve that goal. Using
the text of the Haggadah as well as classic and modern commentators, we will
reveal deeper meaning in the seder, and in redemption. Tuesdays, 8:30-9:45pm Eight sessions: Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 24, March 2, 9, 16 Young Tuition: $120 |
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Sefer HaChinuch: MARILYN FINKELMAN Level: 2-3 Join us for the conclusion of our study of Sefer
HaChinuch. We will follow the author as he completes his task of
introducing his son, and us, to each mitzvah in the Torah, gleaning
insights from his unique ethical and social focus on the shoresh, the
reason for each mitzvah. We will discuss mitzvot in Devarim,
including many mitzvot that ask us to focus on what the overall
enterprise of Torah is about. Finally, we will reflect on all that our author
has taught us and draw broader observations about the workings of the halachic
system. Mondays, 8:00-9:15pm Thirteen sessions: Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 23 March 1, 8, 15, 29 April 19, 26, May 3 Kadimah—Toras Moshe Tuition: $195 *Ma’ayan is seeking new students to join this ongoing study
project. Private orientation sessions available. Please call (617)787-9800
for details. Behind the Names: Understanding Rabbinic Figures
Gil Pereg Level: 2 How
did Rabbi Yosef’s blindness influence his halachic decisions?
Using passages from Talmud and Midrash, we will examine the personal life experiences
of selected Rabbinic figures in order to gain insight into the motivations
that helped shape their halachic discussions. As we begin to get to
know the Rabbis as people, we will address questions of Rabbinic authority,
and demonstrate that seeing the “human” side of our halachic decisors
does not challenge the authority of Torah SheB’al Peh, but
rather strengthens it. Wednesdays,
9:15-10:30am Eleven
sessions: Feb
4, 11, 25, March 3, 10, 17, April 21,
28, May 5, 12, 19 Kadimah—Toras Moshe (Note location change) Tuition: $165 |
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PROPHETS |
Prophecies of Comfort: The Seven Haftarot Rabbi Benjamin Samuels Level: 2-3 After Tisha B'Av, the day we mourn the
destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and our history-long experience of
Jewish tragedy, we rebuild our world through the liturgical recitation of the
Shiva D'Nechemta, the seven Haftarot or prophecies of
comfort. In our studies together, we will explore these Haftarot,
the context in which they were composed and the message they aim to
deliver. Please bring a full Hebrew Tanach. Tuesdays, 9:15-10:30am Eight sessions: March 2, 9, 16, April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18 Cong. Beth David (Talner) Tuition: $120 |
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The Tongue Is
Mightier than The Sword: Laws of
Speech Rachel Levitt Klein Level 2-3 The halachot relating to speech are vast and various. Each week we
will explore one aspect of these laws, from lying, misleading, lashon hara
and rechilut to slander, stealing with words and
rebuke. Sources will include the Tanach, Midrash, Talmud, Rambam and
modern responsa. We will also analyze ethical dilemmas that relate to these
issues. Each session will begin with chevrutah study. Wednesdays 8:30-9:45pm Four sessions: April 21, 28, May 5, 12 Young Tuition: $60 The Amidah: From Tanach to Talmud to Our Hearts REUVEN COHN Level: 2-3 In this two-part course, we will examine
the text of the Amidah with the intense awareness that is generally
reserved for Bible or Talmud study. This will illuminate the underlying
Biblical verses that are woven together to articulate powerful themes. In
addition, we will study Talmudic passages and Midrashic motifs that shed
light on the structure and meaning of the
Amidah. Students are encouraged to enroll in one or both
courses. Please bring a complete Tanach and a standard Siddur to class. Part I: Kedusha Part II:
Shabbat & Holidays Sundays, 9:00-10:15am Sundays, 9:00-10:15am Two sessions: Three
sessions: Cong. Shaarei Tefillah Cong. Shaarei Tefillah Tuition: $30 Tuition:
$45 A Megillah Five Megillot
in Five Weeks Channa Lockshin Bob Level: 2-3 This course is designed for bekiut,
breadth of study. We will explore one megillah each week, broadly
examining the text’s structure, themes, parallels with other parts of
Tanach, and its history of interpretation. Students will be asked to read
each text at home, either in English or Hebrew, and class time will be
devoted to analysis. The five megillot - Ruth, Esther, Eicha, Kohelet
and Shir HaShirim - are short and will be familiar to you. For the first
class, please review Megillat Ruth and bring a copy to class. Tuesdays, 9:15-10:30am Five sessions: Cong. Beth David (Talner) Tuition: $75 |
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Intermediate Hebrew Through the Study of Tanach COOKIE ROSENBAUM Level: 1-2 Using select passages from Tanach, this
course will continue to review Biblical Hebrew vocabulary and grammar
principals, giving students the skills and confidence necessary to tackle
Biblical text on their own. Please bring your own Tanach as well as The
First Hebrew Reader: Guided Selections from the Hebrew Bible, EKS
Publishing Sundays, 9:00-10:15am Eight sessions: Jan 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 29, March 14, 21 Young Tuition: $120 |
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COMMUNITY SEMINARS |
“When
Moshe ascended to the heavens …” Asceticism and Worldliness: A Jewish Debate? Elisha Fishbane Level: 2-3 OPEN TO MEN AND
WOMEN: The debate
between worldly engagement and an ascetic rejection of all things worldly is
a major theme of Jewish philosophy and spirituality of the Middle Ages. We
will investigate the roots of this conflict in Jewish thought by looking
closely at selected texts by Sa'adia Gaon, Bahya ibn Paquda, Maimonides, and
Abraham, son of Maimonides. No prior experience in Jewish philosophy is
necessary, but students should be prepared to wrestle with the Hebrew texts. Mondays, 8:00-9:15pm Three sessions: Feb 23, March 1, 8 Cong. Shaarei Tefillah Tuition: $45 |
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When Real Life Happens: DR.
DEENA ZIMMERMAN, Yoetzet
Halacha As
the laws of Taharat HaMishpacha (Family Purity) are practiced
throughout a married woman’s life cycle, they intersect with
“real life” experiences from contraception to menopause. We
will examine textual sources in the context of actual cases that yoetzot
halacha deal with, gaining a deeper understanding of this central
part of Jewish law. Wednesday,
February 25 7:30pm Cong.
Shaarei Tefillah Suggested
donation: $10 Women
only Prologue to Leviticus DR. NEHEMIA
POLEN Leviticus
stands at the center of the five books of the Torah, yet many readers find
it most difficult to approach. This seminar will re-introduce Sefer
Vayikra with a conceptual analysis of basic themes including the interconnected dimensions of sacred time,
space and person; the meaning of sacrifice and atonement; the
relationship between ritual and ethical action; and the role of Sanctuary in
maintaining the Divine presence. Our goal will be to acquire the tools
necessary for further independent study. Sunday, March
21 8:00pm Cong. Shaarei
Tefillah Open
to men and women. Suggested donation: $10. |