Tu Be’Av: The Little-Known Jewish Summer Love Festival
David & Rachel Biale
On Tu Be’Av (the fifteenth of Av), “the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? ‘Young man, lift up your eyes and see—whom would you choose.'” (Talmud, Ta’anit). Learn about the holiday and dip into romantic love stories from the Bible and Midrash.
Smiling through Tears? Jewish Humor in Antiquity, part 4
Prof. Erich Gruen
This program considers a number of texts composed by Jews dwelling under imperial rule in antiquity in order to understand how the humor in those texts reflects the experience and attitudes of a subordinate people. The topic of this lecture is “Jonah: Prophecy or Parody?”
The Bible on the Couch: A Rabbi and Psychiatrist Analyze Sacred Texts, part 1
Rabbi Judy Shanks & Dr. James Gracer
The presenters join forces to bring a psychological lens to our Biblical ancestors. We explore hidden motivations, possible diagnoses, and complicated relationships between siblings, spouses, G-d, and humans. Teachings draw on midrashic texts and modern psychological theories.
Smiling through Tears? Jewish Humor in Antiquity, part 3
Prof. Erich Gruen
This program considers a number of texts composed by Jews dwelling under imperial rule in antiquity in order to understand how the humor in those texts reflects the experience and attitudes of a subordinate people. The topic of this lecture is “Jonah: Prophecy or Parody?”
Ruth: A Literary Masterpiece, a Lesson in Kindness
Shalhevet Robinson
The Book of Ruth is an extraordinary novella with a simple but profound goal: to take us from the alienation of grief into a healed society. Where does it fit in the tapestry of the Hebrew bible?
Smiling through Tears? Jewish Humor in Antiquity, part 2
Prof. Erich Gruen
This program considers a number of texts composed by Jews dwelling under imperial rule in antiquity in order to understand how the humor in those texts reflects the experience and attitudes of a subordinate people. The topic of this lecture is “Judith and Susanna: Feminist Heroines?”
Smiling through Tears? Jewish Humor in Antiquity, part 1
Prof. Erich Gruen
This program considers a number of texts composed by Jews dwelling under imperial rule in antiquity in order to understand how the humor in those texts reflects the experience and attitudes of a subordinate people. The topic of this lecture is “Esther: Triumph or Travesty?”
What REALLY Happened on Passover?
Ron Hendel and David Biale
It’s not what you think, it’s not what the Hagaddah tells us, it’s not what you remember from Sunday School or “The Ten Commandments”. Hear an analysis of the Biblical text, both historical and literary, which will turn your Passover seder upside down.
Qohelet (Ecclesiastes), part 4
Robert Alter & Ron Hendel
We explore the poetry and philosophy of Qohelet (or Kohellet, Ecclesiastes) in the context of biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature.
Qohelet (Ecclesiastes), part 3
Robert Alter & Ron Hendel
An exploration of the poetry and philosophy of Qohelet (or Kohellet, Ecclesiastes) in the context of biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature
Qohelet (Ecclesiastes), part 2
Robert Alter & Ron Hendel
An exploration of the poetry and philosophy of Qohelet (or Kohellet, Ecclesiastes) in the context of biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature
Qohelet (Ecclesiastes), part 1
Robert Alter & Ron Hendel
An exploration of the poetry and philosophy of Qohelet (or Kohellet, Ecclesiastes) in the context of biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature.
Torah From the Bedroom, part 1
David and Rachel Biale
Sexuality in the Jewish tradition
People of the Book, but What Book? The Confrontation between Torah &...
Ron Reissberg
Apparently uncomfortable with various portions of the Torah, the rabbis provide interpretations that tend to neutralize the troubling aspects of those texts.
People of the Book, but What Book? The Confrontation Between Torah &...
Ron Reissberg
Apparently uncomfortable with various portions of the Torah, the rabbis provide interpretations that tend to neutralize the troubling aspects of those texts.
People of the Book, but What Book? The Confrontation Between Torah &...
Ron Reissberg
Apparently uncomfortable with various portions of the Torah, the rabbis provide interpretations that tend to neutralize the troubling aspects of those texts.
Bible, Midrash, Art: The Richness of Bible Narratives, part 4
Jody Hirsh
Examine stories as they are presented in the Bible, dive into traditional Midrash (Rabbinic interpretations that are themselves stories) and examine how artists of all types have interpreted these stories.
Archeology BEFORE the Bible, part 5
Steve Rosen
This course will delve into periods and aspects of pre-biblical archeology, situated in today’s discourse about what is archeology and how is it harnessed to current national and political agendas.
Bible, Midrash, Art: The Richness of Bible Narratives, part 2
Jody Hirsh
Examine stories as they are presented in the Bible, dive into traditional Midrash (Rabbinic interpretations that are themselves stories) and examine how artists of all types have interpreted these stories.
Bible, Midrash, Art: The Richness of Bible Narratives, part 1
Jody Hirsh
Examine stories as they are presented in the Bible, dive into traditional Midrash (Rabbinic interpretations that are themselves stories) and examine how artists of all types have interpreted these stories.
Archeology BEFORE the Bible, part 4
Steve Rosen
This course will delve into periods and aspects of pre-biblical archeology, situated in today’s discourse about what is archeology and how is it harnessed to current national and political agendas.
Archeology BEFORE the Bible, part 3
Steve Rosen
This course will delve into periods and aspects of pre-biblical archeology, situated in today’s discourse about what is archeology and how is it harnessed to current national and political agendas.
Archeology BEFORE the Bible, part 1
Steve Rosen
This course will delve into periods and aspects of pre-biblical archeology, situated in today’s discourse about what is archeology and how is it harnessed to current national and political agendas.
Archeology BEFORE the Bible, part 2
Steve Rosen
This course will delve into periods and aspects of pre-biblical archeology, situated in today’s discourse about what is archeology and how is it harnessed to current national and political agendas.
Becoming Elijah: Prophet of Transformation
Daniel Matt
Explore Elijah’s development from the Bible to Rabbinic Judaism, Kabbalah, and Jewish ritual, culminating in the Hasidic notion that within each of us lies hidden a beḥinat Eliyyahu (an aspect of Elijah).
The Middle East Crisis…1180 BCE, part 2
Jehon Grist
While an era of seemingly endless chaos, 1180 BCE marks the birth moment of cultural features that thrive to this day.
The Middle East Crisis…1180 BCE, part 1
Jehon Grist
While an era of seemingly endless chaos, 1180 BCE marks the birth moment of cultural features that thrive to this day.
Torah from the Bedroom, part 4
David and Rachel Biale
Sexuality in the Jewish tradition
Session 4: Mysticism & Hasidism
Torah from the Bedroom, part 3
David and Rachel Biale
Sexuality in the Jewish tradition
The Bible Now, part 4
Professors Robert Alter and Ron Hendel present historical and literary readings of the Bible.
Conclusion
Torah from the Bedroom, part 2
David and Rachel Biale
Sexuality in the Jewish tradition
Session 2: Onah and homosexuality
The Bible Now, part 3
Professors Robert Alter and Ron Hendel present historical and literary readings of the Bible.
The David Stories
The Song of Songs
The Bible Now, part 2
Professors Robert Alter and Ron Hendel present historical and literary readings of the Bible.
Myth and Narrative: Genesis 1 -11
The Bible Now, part 1
Professors Robert Alter and Ron Hendel present historical and literary readings of the Bible.
The David Stories