Semikha Program - Torah Ve-Ahava

The bankruptcy of government and faith crisis in the book of Numbers. The concept of red heifer as therapy. The failure of negative prayer. Idolatrous mourning practices. Eating meat. Rejection of monarchy. Importance of contemporary judge.

Lev. 19-Num. 11. We examine the intricate system of mitzvoth which guarantees a healthy society by connecting human relationships to religious reverence and devotion. The Golden Rule. Why handicapped cohanim are barred from serving in the temple. Shemita. The political science of the Torah.

Lev. 10-18. Among the topics here: The death of the dons of Aaron. Responsibilities and boundaries. Artificial factors in spirituality. Kosher consumption. Niddah. Incestuous relationships. Sexual orientation. Second Decalogue.

In this session we start the book of Leviticus. We explain the purpose of sacrifices, the role of religion in society according to evolutionary theory, and the problem with prayers today.
We look at other books in the Tanakh and their perspective.
We discuss the concept of the integral Torah. All parts are important and connected. It is reflected in the listing of mitzvoth of disparate categories together, and in the equation of embezzlement and deception with paganism and rebellion against God.

In this episode we review some of the details of the chapters immediately following the Ten Commandments. The Torah emphasizes personal responsibility and caring for others. There is a push towards the abolition of slavery but also some laws which seem very harsh.
We discuss the problem of Religious OCD and how the focus of observance has shifted since biblical times.
We also discuss the role of the Jewish people as understood from Moshe's negotiations with God following the sin of the golden calf.
Finally, we discuss the problem of sacred prostitution and its presence in Shemot.

In this episode we explore the deep message of the Ten Commandments which are truly not Commandments. We learn what should we focus on in our religious life. We review the laws of slavery, vendetta and sacrifices as stemming from the need to address a different society in the past.

In this session we wrap up the book of Genesis. We look at the different types of government the Torah considers and rejects. The idea of capital punishment and the responsibility of the human court. The rejection of human sacrifices and maybe animal sacrifices. Akedah, martyrdom and suffering for religion. Jacob's deceptive acts and his punishment as a lesson for upholding honesty. Dilemmas because of the clash of religious and humane values. Can we change or update the fences created by the early sages?

The story of the Tree of Knowledge presents many problems. The solution offered here has fundamental ties to understanding Halakha

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The focus of the program will be on the development and methodology of Halakha, and providing participants with tools of critical thinking and analysis, so they will be able to decide Halakha in their own, whether for personal or communal purposes. With that goal in mind, courses will cover the full spectrum of rabbinic literature including: Tanakh, Mishna, Talmud, Midrash, the writings of the Geonim and Rishonim, the Shulhan Arukh and its commentaries, and finally modern Halakhic decisors. Also covered in course work will be the place of philosophical, psychological and Kabbalistic thought on the Halakhic process.

Each subject will be examined with its relationship to the Halakhic process and with its context within the Jewish world at the time of its creation or publication. Thus, for example, we will deal with the question of the role of Midrash in Halakha, or with the question of the status of the Shulhan Arukh and whether it was globally accepted.

In the first session of the first course we discuss the differences between the first two chapters of Beresheet and what they come to teach us. Also discussed is Rashi's commentary on the Torah and how authoritative it is.