Courtier, Commentator and Controversialist
Orah 06/05/12
Radical Rabbinic Ideas in Great Introductions
LSJS May – June 2012
From the LSJS Website
On this intriguing course, Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski will investigate the often surprising and always challenging contributions made to modern Jewish thought by little-known introductions to classic works.
Discover how Rabbi Yitzchak Abarbanel rocked the boat by considering whether Devarim is a full part of the Torah.
See how Rabbi Avraham Bornstein – the founder and first Rebbe of the Sochatchover Hasidic dynasty – set tongues wagging by stating that learning Torah should be both pleasurable and enjoyable.
Explore how Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller discussed how halachah has developed as the world around it changed.
You will also delve into other iconoclastic introductions by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, Rabbi Shimon Shkop and Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (Ramban) and ask how these redefined the parameters of traditional Jewish thought.
Course Outline
Session 1: The Ramban's Introductions to the Books of the Torah
Session 2: The Abarbanel's Introduction to Devarim
Session 3: The Ramchal's Introduction to Mesilat Yesharim & Derech HaShem
Session 4: Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller's Introduction to the Ketzot HaChoshen
Link to Benedict Roth's working translation here
Session 5: Rabbi Avraham Bornstein's Introduction to Egley Tal
Session 6: Rabbi Shimon Shkop's Introduction to Sha'arey Yashar
The translation used in this class is not available on-line. An excellent alternative, by Rabbi Micha Berger, appears here.
Session 7: The Piaseczno Rebbe's Introduction to Chovat HaTalmidim
The translation used in this class is a copyrighted text and not available on-line. It is available here.
Torah Commentators’ Response to Modernity
JLE Apr – Jul 2012
Part 16: Shemini, Tazria & Metzora
Part 17: Acharey & Kedoshim
Part 18: Emor, Behar & Bechukotay
Part 19: BeMidbar, Naso & BeHaAlotecha
Part 20: Shelach & Korach
Part 21: Chukat
Part 22: VaYikra, Tzav & Balak
Part 23: Pinchas, Mattot & Massey
Superficial Gossips, Self-Interested Crooks or Altruistic Visionaries?
LSJS April – May 2012
Session 1: The Text, Chazal and Rishonim 1
Session 2: Rishonim 2
Session 3: Ari and Shelah
Session 4: The School of Przysucha
Left Leaning? Anatomy and the Seder
To be delivered at GGS after Minchah, Shabbat HaGadol 5772
The Haggadah with the Abarbanel’s Commentary
JLE March 2012
Session 1: Ha Lachma
Session 2: Dayenu
Session 3: Rabban Gamliel & Pesach
Transformational Ideas, Foods and Songs
LSJS 12/03/12
1: Balancing Celebration with Commemoration2: Thematic Foods
3: Monotheism against Manichaeism
Page references are to the ArtScroll Family Haggadah
Sinner or Tragic Hero?
LSJS March 2012
Session 1: The Text, Chazal and Rishonim
Session 2: Other Sources
Tolstoy, the Ishbitzer and Dostoevsky in Search of Authenticity
Yeshiva University, NY 09/02/11