SMICHA WEEK 2010/5770

Sefer Iyov: The Book of Job, the Struggle between the Integrity of God and the Integrity of Human, Estrangement and Return — and the Meaning of it All
–Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Ph.D.

Together we will explore the bewildering, heart-wrenching and profound book of Job. We will read the book together in Hebrew and in English, focusing on the deep questions —
            •            why do good people suffer?
            •            where is God in our suffering?
            •            in the face of suffering, what is the meaning of life?
            •            what can we expect of God?
            •            do we have the right to indict God?
            •            what must we expect of ourselves?
            •            what is the nature of friendship?
            •            what is the nature of faith?
 
We may emerge from our class with more questions than answers to these (and other) questions — v’gam zu l’tova (and this, too, is for the good).

One unit: Biblical Age, section B (God/Spiritual Experience) of the Aleph Curriculum Grid.

This class will explore the question of when and how to use stories. When is it appropriate to use a personal story? Is it OK to tell a Hassidic story, and is it necessary to explain the point of the story?

When is it appropriate to change a story? Can you make up one yourself?

We will look at the margins of our groups, and discuss working with people who are gay or lesbian, those who have mental illnesses, have experienced racism, bigotry and abuse, and those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious.

Each student is required to bring with them 6 stories. One of them should be a personal story, and several should address the subjects above. If you would consider singing in a spiritual direction session, please bring a song or two as well, and poems can be stories also.

Remember that many of our stories come from Torah.

This class will fulfill the HASHPA’AH maggid-craft requirement, and will be equally helpful in the areas of chaplaincy and rabbinic support.

This course will focus on two sets of texts dealing with how Judaism and Jews relate to the non-Jewish world. We will study sections from the tractates of Gittin and Avodah Zarah. Since the text study will be in chevruta, the specific sugyot to be studied will only be revealed upon arrival. The goal of the course will be to learn Talmud and see how these relationships were described by the founders of the rabbinic tradition. Key concepts to be explored are Mipnei Darkei Shalom, Mipnei Tikkun ha-Olam, and the questions explored when relating to those who practice avodah zarah.

Preparation for the course should include:

• The Rambam's first chapter in Hilchot Avodat Kochavim.
• Chapter Five of Mishnah Gittin

Please bring a copy of Masechet Gittin and Masechet Avodah Zarah, including both Mishnah and G'mara. Class study will focus on G'mara.

One unit: Rabbinic Texts [and, by arrangement, in other departments]

Resources for Evolving Your Jewish Renewal Theology 
–Rabbi Victor Gross and Rabbi Shaya Isenberg

What are the roots and exemplars of people doing renewal theology? How can these sources serve as a basis for the evolution of your own theology? What is applicable and usable?  Can we  learn how to read the sources in  gadlut/expanded consciousness?  We will engage with the sources in chevruta, as well as in class conversation. For the final assignment the students will report on  their own evolving theologies in relation to the sources and our conversations. 

One unit: Jewish Philosophy

Evolution and Revolution in Prayer:  Commentaries to the Siddur
–Rabbi Sami Barth

We will explore the way in which evolving understandings of prayer and prayer text are presented in the extensive literature of commentaries to the siddur.  We will explore the classic texts such as Sa'adiah, HaYarchi, Abudarham, Mahzor Vitry, and more modern/contemporary works such as Hirsch, Kook, Epstein, Hertz, Ya'akovson, Munk and Sacks.  We will also look at anthologies of commentaries prepared from medieval times through modernity and explore some of R' Zalman's essays into the siddur. 
Methodology will include "kaleidoscope" where we read many comments upon a single text and "archeaological" where we look extensively at a single work, looking to discern a methodology and agenda.  Students will prepare to make presentations and lead sections of each class.  Much of our work will be based upon primary Hebrew sources, so students in this class should have completed (at least) the sefer barrier course - or consult with the teacher.

One unit: Liturgy