Prof. Daniel Boyarin: What REALLY Happened on Simchat Beit Hasho'eva (on Zoom)
- Pacific Time Virtual Program
Simchat Beit Hasho'eva ("The Rejoicing at the Place of Water-Drawing") takes place during Sukkot. The Talmud says: "He who has not seen the rejoicing at the Place of the Water-Drawing has never seen rejoicing in his life."
This "Water Holiday" brought thousands to the Temple courtyard for a water libation ritual followed by music and dance, burning-torch tossing, handstands, feasting, and a bit of mayhem as men and women mingled.
Prof. Daniel Boyarin will offer his original interpretation of the Talmudic text.
