Don't be shy. Certainly not when it comes to pursuing knowledge. As our sages have taught, "the one who is shy never learns." Now I realize that it may not be shyness that has prevented you from committing to one of our great weekly shiurim in the past. (Though I wouldn't rule it out; there's a whole subconscious dimension to these things.) It could be your long work-day, or your kids' bedtime. In this year's brochure you'll find Wednesday night offerings that span the entire evening, in addition to the old standards that take place during the rest of the week. The education committee, Rav Ari, and I are doing all we can to insure that the opportunity for regular learning will work for you this year. So don't be shy! (OK, maybe you're not shy.)
I could, of course, reiterate how indispensable Torah study is to your own ability to articulate and deepen your personal religious vision, and how essential it is to our ever-evolving communal shul vision, but you know this already. So instead I'll tell you about how, over the last years, the Monday night Gemara shiur, and the Tuesday morning Midrash group, and the Thursday morning Shmuel classes have become close, cohesive, and mutually caring chevras, bound by the intellectual and spiritual exchange of their Torah study. And I invite you to come and make this the year that you envelop yourself in this special world as well. See you in shiur!
-RABBI YOSEF KANEFSKY
BDJ's Classes are free and open to the community
THE FINAL SEMESTER
Starting Tuesday, February 8th
Refuah Shelaimah: Healing, Pain, Drugs, Medical Ethics & Health Care
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz.
@ the Wolkind/Lesch home, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for the address.
In many ways, the core value of the Torah is the healing of the self and other. The kabbalists call this Tikkun, and activists call this Tikkun Olam. So much of our time, concern, and resources are spent on health issues.
Learn Halacha and Jewish values to explore the most pressing moral issues of our time. The many interesting topics we will explore in this new class include: Crime & Punishment; Globalization & Ethical Consumption; and Health Care & Global Responsibility.
Semester II: Biblical Hebrew Grammar & Ta'amei Ha-Mikra
Wednesday Nights, with Rabbi Devin Villarreal in the Beit Medrash
Robust Chumash skills are foundational to Jewish learning. We will be utilizing Sefer Devarim (the book of Deuteronomy) as our text. The three semesters of this new class will cover: Biblical Hebrew Grammar and Ta'amei Ha-Mikra ("cantillation marks"); Rashi; and Discerning Peshuto Shel Mikra ("the straightforward meaning of the text").
Half Hour of Halacha
Ongoing
Sunday Nights 9:00–9:30PM, with Rav Yosef Kanefsky
At the home of Andrea & Larry Gill; please email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
for the address.
Using the Shulchan Aruch and Mishna Brura as our basic texts, we’ll resume our lively discussion of the halachot of reading the Shema, and proceed from there into the laws of the Amidah.
Gemara Shiur
Ongoing
Monday Nights 7:30–9:00 PM, with Rav Yosef Kanefsky in the Beit Medrash
This year we will be studying the second perek of Massechet Kiddushim. Major topics include Biblical marriage, shlichut (legal agency) and moral accountability. Prior experience with Gemara study will be most beneficial.
Midrash
Ongoing
Tuesday Mornings 7:45–8:45 AM following Shacharit, ongoing,
with Rav Yosef Kanefsky in the Beit Medrash
The Midrash is a fascinating amalgam of rabbinic wisdom, Biblical interpretation, and clever word play. Get better acquainted with this wonderful text.
Tanach
The Book of Malachim (Kings): Ongoing in the Beit Medrash
Thursday Mornings 11:00 AM–12:00 noon, with Rav Yosef Kanefsky
We resume our study of the book of Melachim (Kings). Though we frequently utilize a careful reading of Hebrew terms, you can use an English text as well.
For more information about our weekly classes, please contact Mark Treitel or Susan Fink at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it