The Book of Shemot takes us on a  transformative journey from slavery in Egypt to an encounter with God at  Har Sinai to the building of the Mishkan. Along the way, we witness the  ups and downs, twists and turns, rivalries and epiphanies that  contribute to the emergence of Am Yisrael as an independent entity with a  newfound identity. At the helm stands, of course, Moshe Rabbeinu, whose  own process of maturation develops alongside his people.

In this class with Rabbanit Yafit Clymer we delve into the text and centuries of commentary to follow the  parallel trajectories of a nation and its leader. We will explore the  major ideas, characters, motifs and patterns in this foundational sefer  and learn valuable lessons about the Torah’s notions of leadership, law,  society, freedom and, ultimately, how it all ties into our relationship  with God

The Book of Shemot takes us on a  transformative journey from slavery in Egypt to an encounter with God at  Har Sinai to the building of the Mishkan. Along the way, we witness the  ups and downs, twists and turns, rivalries and epiphanies that  contribute to the emergence of Am Yisrael as an independent entity with a  newfound identity. At the helm stands, of course, Moshe Rabbeinu, whose  own process of maturation develops alongside his people.

In this class with Rabbanit Yafit Clymer we delve into the text and centuries of commentary to follow the  parallel trajectories of a nation and its leader. We will explore the  major ideas, characters, motifs and patterns in this foundational sefer  and learn valuable lessons about the Torah’s notions of leadership, law,  society, freedom and, ultimately, how it all ties into our relationship  with God

Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender for his weekly shiur on the parshat hashavua and come away with creative insights into the weekly Torah portion.

This week we will start Moed Katan. We will start with an overview of  the Masechet and understand some of the central themes that will be  discussed over the next few weeks. We will learn what activities are  permitted on Chol HaMOed and during the Shemita year, specifically  watering different types of fields. We will also learn about fixing  water cisterns and about marking graves on Chol Hamoed.

Class description

Tropes of Immortality

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Not Good to Be Alone — Torah

Not Good to Be Alone — Today

Being Alone (including The Martian)

Hating Being Alone (including Frankenstein)

Being Lonely — Physical, Psychological

Being Lonely — Existential, Ontological

Positives of Loneliness (including Leonard Cohen’s Book of Mercy)

Everyone is Lonely (including “Message in a Bottle”)

Compensating With Community (including “Piano Man”)

God’s Loneliness

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Fear Can Be Good (including Inside Out and The New Batman Adventures)

But It’s Usually Bad

Pachad vs. Yirah

Don’t Make Yourself Afraid

The Appeal of Horror (including Stephen King)

Overcoming Fear with Laughter (including Boggarts)

Face Your Fears! (including Divergent, Dune, and Defending Your Life)

Fictional Fantasies (including High School Musical)

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A Time for Everything: “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

We’re Like Dust: “Dust in the Wind”

The Sun Stays the Same: “Time”

Have Fun, But There’s a Price to Pay: “Somewhere Along the Line”

The Bottom Line is to Fear God: “Meaningless”

Everything is Fleeting: “Leaves That Are Green”

Appreciate the Time You Have With Your Loved Ones: “Do You Realize??”

Class description

What’s Worse Than Being in Galut? Getting Used to It

Antisemitism and Bambi the Book

Intermarriage and Fiddler on the Roof

Assimilation is Like Being a Fish Out of Water

Assimilation and The Little Mermaid Giving Up Her Voice

The Four Children and Four Generations in America