Dates: Monday, June 29 – Friday, July 31, 2009
Registration: Registrations, including payment, after June 30, 2009 are subject to a $35 late fee.
Tuition: $1,200.
For women.
Click here for Drisha’s Summer Catalog
Talmud I: Kiddushin, chapter 3
The third chapter of Kiddushin covers a number of basic halakhic concepts and presents a wide range of analytical styles, making it an excellent introductory text for Talmud study. We will look at a selection of passages from this chapter with a strong focus on reading skills and the nature of Talmudic logic. Students will have the opportunity to prepare sources in havruta (study partner) during a supervised study period at the start of each class.
Daniel Reifman
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Talmud Level II: Tractate Sanhedrin
What are the necessary qualities of a judge? When should judges attempt to arbitrate rather than hand down a ruling? Why are different numbers of judges required for different types of cases. We will study tractate Sanhedrin, utilizing tannaitic sources (Sifrei, Mishna and Tosefta) and the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds. We will also see the practical implications of these issues in later legal texts and responsa. Our study will focus on the process judicial selection (bo’re’rut) as well as on the tension between din torah (adjudication pursuant to Torah law) and alternative processes such as settlement, arbitration and mediation (p’shara). The course offers an innovative fusion of the philological, historical-critical, literary, philosophical, legal and classical-analytical perspectives to Talmud study, and aims to develop the student’s competencies in these methods.
David Goshen
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Biblical Hebrew
Students will develop the basic vocabulary and grammar skills necessary to understand biblical texts in a supportive class environment. Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew print, script, and vowels.
Instructor TBA
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Parashat HaShavua
We will analyze and discuss an issue, theme, or text in the weekly Torah reading. We will draw upon classical and modern sources to enhance our Torah study.
David Silber
Tuesday, 9:15 – 10:45 a.m.
The Book of Jonah
The story of Jonah profoundly affects the way we view the role of God in the human experience. Through a careful study of the biblical text, we will consider its approach to faith, prophecy, reward and punishment, and a universal God. Finally, we will analyze the liturgical role of this biblical narrative in the Yom Kippur prayer service.
Rachel Friedman
Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Major Prayers of the Jewish Festivals
The class will focus on the festival amidah and hallel and the prayers for rain and dew.
David Silber
Thursday, 9:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Jeremiah: A Prophet in Exile
Jeremiah is known as the prophet of doom. He predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and was rejected by his own people. In preparation for Tisha B’Av, we will delve into the turbulent historical events of that era. We will examine symbolisms and their significance in Jeremiah’s prophecies and attempt to gain insight into the soul of the man who guided the Jews through such a traumatic period in history. We will also take a glimpse at Jeremiah’s inspiring prophecies of redemption.
Adina Luber
Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Jewish Law II: Health and Healing in Halakha
In Judaism, life is sacrosanct. In halakha, we learn the details of what it means to prioritize health. We will consider both the age-old questions and some contemporary “hot” issues. Topics include: the parameters of saving a life, a doctor’s “right” to heal, psychological well-being, psychiatric illness, cosmetic surgery, smoking, piercing, exercise, and alternative medicine.
Anne Gordon
Monday, Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Friday, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Jewish Law II: Kesui Rosh (Covering Hair)
We will examine the laws of kesui rosh for women by analyzing Talmudic and rabbinic texts. Issues to be addressed include the parameters and halakhic sources for hair covering and the impact of the modern social reality of women’s dress on halakha.
Moshe Kahn
Monday, Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Friday, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Bible I: The Birth of a Nation: An Introduction to Bible and Parshanut
We will emphasize the study of parshanut (biblical exegesis), analyzing the approaches to the midrash, medieval exegesis, and modern scholars to the Jewish experience in Egypt. Each session will consist of guided preparation of biblical texts and commentaries
(havruta) followed by analysis and class discussion.
Rachel Friedman
Tuesday, Thursday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Bible II: Ramban
We will look at major themes and motifs of Ramban’s classical commentaries on Torah.
David Silber
Tuesday, Thursday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
The Role of Narrative in Jewish Law
In his very first comment on the Torah, Rashi famously asks why the Torah – ostensibly a book of law – opens with the story of creation instead of simply laying out the first commandment given to the Jewish people. Numerous answers to Rashi's question are offered, but his question regarding the role of narrative in Jewish law continues to reverberate throughout Rabbinic literature. Using modern legal and literary theory, we will explore the relationship between law and narrative in a wide range of biblical, midrashic and Talmudic texts.
Daniel Reifman
Monday, Wednesday, 3:15 – 5:00 p.m.
The Nature of Prayer
We will analyze biblical and rabbinic texts that focus on the nature of prayer and its place within Jewish religious life.
David Silber
Tuesday, Thursday, 3:15 – 5:00 p.m.
