Best Zire Podcasts (2024)

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Chanukkah 5784: ”Hanukkah: Holiday of Homebodies” (3/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna 1:00:50

4M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.…

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Chanukkah 5784: ”Hanukkah: Holiday of Homebodies” (2/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna 1:02:45

4M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.…

1
Chanukkah 5784: ”Hanukkah: Holiday of Homebodies” (1/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna 1:05:08

4M ago1:05:08

1:05:08

More than any other holiday, Hanukkah is all about the home. The Jewish people, with our long history of exile and displacement, has a complicated relationship with the space and rootedness we associate with "home." Our study of the laws of Hanukkah candle lighting will shed some light on a uniquely Jewish vision of homemaking.…

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Sukkot 5784: ”Sukkot: The Paradigm of Universal Torah Ideals” (3/3) with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring 57:55

4M ago57:55

57:55

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are un…

1
Sukkot 5784: ”Sukkot: The Paradigm of Universal Torah Ideals” (2/3) with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring 55:10

4M ago55:10

55:10

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are un…

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Yom Kippur 5784: ”Symbolism and Significance: Examining the Yom Kippur Service Avodah” (2/2) with Sarah Gordon 1:01:19

4M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

In this course, we will explore the Yom Kippur service of the Kohen Gadol, a significant but sometimes enigmatic aspect of the liturgy. By delving into the significance and symbolism behind key elements of the service, we will confront many of the fundamental questions of Yom Kippur, such as whether atonement can happen without repentance, the infl…

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High Holidays 5784: ”Why are You Sleeping? Piyyutim of Awakening to the Yamim Noraim” (2/2) with Rabbanit Victoria Sutton 58:04

4M ago58:04

58:04

Session 2: Open the Gates Rosh HaShanah, through Yom Kippur, are viewed as a time when the Gates of Rahamim, Mercy, are particularly receptive - an Et shaareh ratson. We will look at several central piyytim that develop this theme, and that introduce the Shofar and prayers of the day.By Drisha Institute

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Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”The Periphery of Redemption: The Torah Readings of Rosh haShannah ” (2/2) with Rabba Wendy Amsellem 1:03:17

4M ago1:03:17

1:03:17

How can we know what God wants of us? In Genesis 16, Sarai, Avram, and Hagar all struggle to understand their roles in God's covenant. Their interactions and their mistakes lay the groundwork for Genesis 21, the powerful Torah reading of the first day of Rosh haShannah. We will do a close reading of both of these biblical texts and utilize rabbinic…

1
Yom Kippur 5784: ”Symbolism and Significance: Examining the Yom Kippur Service Avodah” (1/2) with Sarah Gordon 1:00:10

4M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

In this course, we will explore the Yom Kippur service of the Kohen Gadol, a significant but sometimes enigmatic aspect of the liturgy. By delving into the significance and symbolism behind key elements of the service, we will confront many of the fundamental questions of Yom Kippur, such as whether atonement can happen without repentance, the infl…

1
High Holidays 5784: ”Why are You Sleeping? Piyyutim of Awakening to the Yamim Noraim” (1/2) with Rabbanit Victoria Sutton 1:03:44

4M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Session 1: Wake Up Throughout the month of Elul, Jewish communities rise early for Selihot, whose words and melodies serve to awaken us to teshuva (repentance) and Seliha (forgiveness). We will study the text and themes of several Selihot piyyutim together, including the opening piyyut "Ben Adam Mah Lekha Nirdam" ("Human Being, Why do you Slumber?"…

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Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”Maternal Sacrifice and the Birthing of the World” (2/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna 1:00:26

4M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Our Rosh Hashana liturgy is full of stories of mothers who sacrifice. Hagar and Hannah sacrifice their sons. Sarah and Em Sisra's sons are sacrificed by others. Rachel is sacrificed for her child. This course will explore these stories of maternal sacrifice and raise questions about the role of maternal sacrifice in creation. Specifically, is it ne…

1
Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”Maternal Sacrifice and the Birthing of the World” (1/3) with Rabbanit Leah Sarna 54:38

4M ago54:38

54:38

Our Rosh Hashana liturgy is full of stories of mothers who sacrifice. Hagar and Hannah sacrifice their sons. Sarah and Em Sisra's sons are sacrificed by others. Rachel is sacrificed for her child. This course will explore these stories of maternal sacrifice and raise questions about the role of maternal sacrifice in creation. Specifically, is it ne…

1
Sukkot 5784: ”Sukkot: The Paradigm of Universal Torah Ideals” (1/3) with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring 43:38

4M ago43:38

43:38

Often in Elul, Sukkot is forgotten. We focus on the High Holidays but forget that Sukkot comes immediately after. There are several unique rules that characterize the laws of Sukkot, such as mere discomfort exempting one from living in the Sukkah and the heightened requirements for beauty in the Arba Minim. We will explore whether these laws are un…

1
High Holidays 5784: ”Prayers and Melodies of the High Holiday Services” with Rabbi David Silber and Rabbi Jon Kelsen 1:08:10

4M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

The Yamim Noraim prayers have their own distinctive nusach, as well as many melodies which are sung in various communities. In this three part series, we will listen to and reflect upon selected niggunim and songs, exploring how the music reflects an understanding of the liturgy.By Drisha Institute

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Rosh HaShanah 5784: ”The Periphery of Redemption: The Torah Readings of Rosh haShannah ” (1/2) with Rabba Wendy Amsellem 1:00:58

4M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

How can we know what God wants of us? In Genesis 16, Sarai, Avram, and Hagar all struggle to understand their roles in God's covenant. Their interactions and their mistakes lay the groundwork for Genesis 21, the powerful Torah reading of the first day of Rosh haShannah. We will do a close reading of both of these biblical texts and utilize rabbinic…

1
Tisha B’Av 5783 : ”Understanding Lamentations” (2/2) with Dr. Adele Berlin 58:21

4M ago58:21

58:21

In this series, we will conduct a close reading of the text of Lamentations. We will focus on the poetry, the significance of Jerusalem's destruction and the ways it is shown, the use of gender in the book, and the ideas of mourning, exile, and return.By Drisha Institute

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Tisha B’Av 5783 : ”Understanding Lamentations” (1/2) with Dr. Adele Berlin 1:07:06

4M ago1:07:06

1:07:06

In this series, we will conduct a close reading of the text of Lamentations. We will focus on the poetry, the significance of Jerusalem's destruction and the ways it is shown, the use of gender in the book, and the ideas of mourning, exile, and returnBy Drisha Institute

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Shavuot 5783: ”613 Mitzvot in Rhyme: The Tradition of Azharot” with Rabbanit Victoria Sutton 1:09:25

4M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

Dating back to the time of the Geonim, scholars and poets composed Azharot, poetic enumerations of the mitzvot. They were traditionally read in communities on Shavuot, a custom that continues today in some Sephardic communities. We will explore this fascinating liturgical phenomenon and their mixed reception throughout the ages. Focusing on the Azh…

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Yom Kippur 5783: ”The Avodah” with Rabbi David Silber 1:21:48

4M ago1:21:48

1:21:48

One of the Highlights of the Yom Kippur service is the reenactment of the service of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. We will take a close look at this central part of the Yom Kippur service and how it reflects the core themes of the day.By Drisha Institute

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Rosh HaShanah 5783: ”The Visitation of Sarah in Midrash and Piyyut” with Dr. Tzvi Novick 1:02:23

4M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

On the first day of Rosh ha-Shanah we read of how God “visited” or “took note” of Sarah” (Gen 21:1). In this session we will examine an interrelated set of texts in midrash and early piyyut that reflect and expand on this event. These texts will offer subtle insight into the rabbis’ understanding of the Bible, their own narrative aesthetics (i.e., …

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Rosh HaShanah 5783: ”Malkhiyot, Zikhronot, and Shoferot: Structure and Meaning” with Dr. Chanan Gafni 1:01:14

4M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

The Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashanah tells of three blessings unique to the Rosh Hashanah service: מלכויות (malkhiyot, or “kingship”), זיכרונות (zikhronot, or “remembrances”), שופרות (shoferot, the shofar and its sounding). But the order of those blessings is the subject of much debate among the Tannaim and Amoraim. How does the text that we find …

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Rosh HaShanah 5783: ”Isaiah’s Prophecies of Consolation: The Movement from Tisha Ba’av to Rosh Hashana” with Dr. Yael Ziegler 1:11:33

4M ago1:11:33

1:11:33

By Drisha Institute

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High Holidyas 5783: ”Ripples of Repentance: Spiritual Dimensions of Tashlikh” (2/2) with Rav Matthew Nitzanim 55:47

4M ago55:47

55:47

As the new year begins, Jews around the world make their way down to the water. As we gaze upon the river or pond before us, what are we meant to see? In this course, we'll take a deep dive into Tashlikh, exploring the texts that serve as the basis for the (relatively late) emergence of the ritual. We will look at Tashlikh through three spiritual l…

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High Holidyas 5783: ”Ripples of Repentance: Spiritual Dimensions of Tashlikh” (1/2) with Rav Matthew Nitzanim 55:47

4M ago55:47

55:47

As the new year begins, Jews around the world make their way down to the water. As we gaze upon the river or pond before us, what are we meant to see? In this course, we'll take a deep dive into Tashlikh, exploring the texts that serve as the basis for the (relatively late) emergence of the ritual. We will look at Tashlikh through three spiritual l…

1
High Holidays 5783: ”LeDavid: A Song of Doubt” (2/2) with Dr. Benjamin Sommer 1:10:16

4M ago1:10:16

1:10:16

Join Dr. Benjamin Sommer to take a close look (in English and Hebrew) at the text recited during Elul and Tishrei, Psalm 27, to see what this text tells us about a mature Jewish faith.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”LeDavid: A Song of Doubt” (1/2) with Dr. Benjamin Sommer 1:08:30

4M ago1:08:30

1:08:30

Join Dr. Benjamin Sommer to take a close look (in English and Hebrew) at the text recited during Elul and Tishrei, Psalm 27, to see what this text tells us about a mature Jewish faith.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”Fear of God at the Nexus of Divine and Human Kingship ”(2/2) with Levi Morrow 56:26

4M ago56:26

56:26

Fear of God takes a central place in the High Holiday liturgy. Three times a day for over a week we ask God, “O Lord, instill fear of You in all Your creations.” Yet fear is an emotion we often regard very negatively. Why should we actively ask for fear? Isn’t fear a function of lowliness and oppression?The Jewish tradition is rife with answers to …

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High Holidays 5783: ”Fear of God at the Nexus of Divine and Human Kingship” (1/2) with Levi Morrow 1:03:17

4M ago1:03:17

1:03:17

Fear of God takes a central place in the High Holiday liturgy. Three times a day for over a week we ask God, “O Lord, instill fear of You in all Your creations.” Yet fear is an emotion we often regard very negatively. Why should we actively ask for fear? Isn’t fear a function of lowliness and oppression? The Jewish tradition is rife with answers to…

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Rosh HaShanah 5783: ”The Prayers of Rosh Hashana — Divine Judgment” with Rabbi David Silber 1:17:13

4M ago1:17:13

1:17:13

Rabbi David Silber presents a careful examination of core elements of the Rosh Hashana service.By Drisha Institute

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Rosh HaShanah 5783: ”The Prayers of Rosh Hashana — Enthronement and Petition” with Rabbi David Silber 1:16:32

4M ago1:16:32

1:16:32

Rabbi David Silber presents a careful examination of core elements of the Rosh Hashana service.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”The Torah and Haftarah Readings of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur” (3/3) with Rabbi David Silber 1:12:21

4M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

Join Rabbi David Silber for an analysis of the readings chosen for the High Holidays. We will reflect, in particular, on how these readings help us to uncover some of the major themes of each holiday.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”The Torah and Haftarah Readings of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur” (2/3) with Rabbi David Silber 1:13:15

4M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Join Rabbi David Silber for an analysis of the readings chosen for the High Holidays. We will reflect, in particular, on how these readings help us to uncover some of the major themes of each holiday.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”The Torah and Haftarah Readings of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur” (1/3) with Rabbi David Silber 1:13:36

4M ago1:13:36

1:13:36

Join Rabbi David Silber for an analysis of the readings chosen for the High Holidays. We will reflect, in particular, on how these readings help us to uncover some of the major themes of each holiday.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”Teshuva, Tefillah, and Tzedaka in the Age of Social Media — Crowdfunding and Defining ”The Poor of Your City” in a Globalized World (Tzedaka)” with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring 52:52

4M ago52:52

52:52

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring will present a three-part exploration of how the three classical processes of redemption have been altered, for better and worse, by the prevalence of social media.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”Teshuva, Tefillah, and Tzedaka in the Age of Social Media — Praying for Those We Do Not Know (Tefillah)” with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring 52:52

4M ago52:52

52:52

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring will present a three-part exploration of how the three classical processes of redemption have been altered, for better and worse, by the prevalence of social mediaBy Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5783: ”Teshuva, Tefillah, and Tzedaka in the Age of Social Media — ”I’m Sorry,” hit send - Impersonal Apologies (Teshuva)” with Rabbi Jonathan Ziring 1:02:47

4M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring will present a three-part exploration of how the three classical processes of redemption have been altered, for better and worse, by the prevalence of social media.By Drisha Institute

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Tisha B’Av 5782: ”’She Gave No Thought to Her Future’ - Reading Eicha Through the Ages” with Miriam Gedwiser 1:00:31

4M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Handout: https://drisha.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/reading-eicha-throughout-the-ages_handout.pdfBy Drisha Institute

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Tisha B’Av 5782: ”’The Lord Is Righteous, For I Have Disobeyed Him’ - Theological Justification in the Midst of Tragedy” with Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman 1:07:22

4M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Handout: https://drisha.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/handout_theological-justification-in-the-midst-of-tragedy.pdfBy Drisha Institute

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Tisha B’Av 5782: ”Community Kinnot” with Rabba Wendy Amsellem and Rabbi David Silber 2:34:02

4M ago2:34:02

2:34:02

Community Kinnot, led by Rabba Wendy Amsellem and Rabbi David Silber, joined by members of Drisha's learning community for recitation and discussion.By Drisha Institute

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Shavuot 5782: ”Ruth: Daughter of Abraham” with Rabbi David Silber 1:09:48

4M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

The story of Ruth speaks of the imperative to accept the virtuous person into the Jewish community. But Ruth is more than that. She teaches us how to walk the path of Avraham. A close reading of this megilla will bear this outBy Drisha Institute

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Pesach 5782: ”Seder Telling” with Rabbanit Leah Sarna, Elisha Russ-Fishbane, Dr. David Zvi Kalman, and Rabbi Dr. Erin Leib Smokler 1:26:47

4M ago1:26:47

1:26:47

Today our Seder nights are guided by the liturgical prompts of the Haggadah, but it wasn't always this way. Our tradition records that in the times of the Mishnah, Rabbis gathered in Lod and Bnai Brak on the Seder night to tell the story of the Exodus. Unscripted, in their own words. Join us and listen in as a gathering of scholars and rabbis re-en…

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Purim 5782: ”One Nation, Dispersed: Diaspora in the Megillah and in Jewish Thought” with Rabbi David Silber, Dr. Malka Z Simkovich, and Dr. Michah Gottlieb 2:01:40

4M ago2:01:40

2:01:40

The Megillah is distinct among books of the Bible not merely for its lack of explicit mention of God, but also for the absence of any suggestion that the Jewish people might one day return to the Land of Israel. This begs questions about identity, whether and how to remain distinct, and the theological purpose of doing so. Even in the final chapter…

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Sukkot 5782: ”A Bavli Story about a Sukkah, a Savta, and Misogyny” with Meira Wolkenfeld 1:04:53

4M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

In this class we will analyze a Talmudic story in which woman accuses the exilarch of sitting in a stolen sukkah. The story follows a legal discussion about performing the mitzvot of Sukkot using stolen items. Looking at the literary and cultural context, we will examine the interpersonal interactions in the story and the ways the story nuances and…

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High Holidays 5782: ”Forgiveness & Atonement in Jewish Tradition: Philological and Philosophical Perspectives” (3/3) with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier 1:10:04

4M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

With the arrival of Elul and Yamim Noraim comes a focus on the all-important triad of Mehilah, Selihah, and Kapparah, loosely translated as forgiveness, pardon, and atonement. This class will examine closely these terms, both what distinguishes them from one another and what holds them together, using the tools of philology and philosophy. By consi…

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High Holidays 5782: ”Forgiveness in Judaism and Philosophy” (3/3) with Prof. Quinn White and Rabbanit Leah Sarna 1:03:03

4M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

What is forgiveness, and why should we forgive? Asked both about the particular (why should I forgive my friend for lying to me?) and the general (what role should forgiveness play in a life well lived?), forgiveness poses difficult questions. Over the course of three sessions, we’ll consider three different conceptions of forgiveness and its place…

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High Holidays 5782: ”Admission of Guilt: Confession and Repentance” (4/4) with Rabbi David Silber 1:20:19

4M ago1:20:19

1:20:19

Confession, viddui, plays a central role in the Yom Kippur service. We will study four great biblical narratives in order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of confession in a redeemed life.By Drisha Institute

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High Holidays 5782: ”From Selicha to Avodah: An Introduction to the Liturgical Poetry of Elul & the Yamim Noraim” (3/3) with Yitz Landes 59:32

4M ago59:32

59:32

What do we pray for when we pray that God forgives us? What does repentance look like? What does it mean to be atoned? In this three-part series, we will attempt to answer these questions by looking closely at the liturgical poetry recited over the course of Elul and the Yamim Noraim, namely the selichot and the piyyutim specific to Rosh Hashana an…

1
High Holidays 5782: ”Admission of Guilt: Confession and Repentance” (3/4) with Rabbi David Silber 1:19:51

4M ago1:19:51

1:19:51

Confession, viddui, plays a central role in the Yom Kippur service. We will study four great biblical narratives in order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of confession in a redeemed life.By Drisha Institute

1
High Holidays 5782: ”From Selicha to Avodah: An Introduction to the Liturgical Poetry of Elul & the Yamim Noraim” (2/3) with Yitz Landes 54:00

4M ago54:00

54:00

What do we pray for when we pray that God forgives us? What does repentance look like? What does it mean to be atoned? In this three-part series, we will attempt to answer these questions by looking closely at the liturgical poetry recited over the course of Elul and the Yamim Noraim, namely the selichot and the piyyutim specific to Rosh Hashana an…

1
High Holidays 5782: ”Forgiveness & Atonement in Jewish Tradition: Philological and Philosophical Perspectives” (2/3) with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier 1:00:17

4M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

With the arrival of Elul and Yamim Noraim comes a focus on the all-important triad of Mehilah, Selihah, and Kapparah, loosely translated as forgiveness, pardon, and atonement. This class will examine closely these terms, both what distinguishes them from one another and what holds them together, using the tools of philology and philosophy. By consi…

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