Around the Calendar with Drisha

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 influence of fate and destiny, and the profound impact...

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?")

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 necessary? Even if it is necessary, is it good?

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 necessary? Even if it is necessary, is it good?

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 unique to Sukkot or act as paradigms of broader Tora...

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.

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 midrashim to explore each character's motivation...

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.

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

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 Azharot of Solomon ibn Gabirol, we will survey this m...

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.

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., the sorts of stories they like to tell), and the d...

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 in our siddur/makhzor reflect those various Rabbin...

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 lenses, finding within this little annual ritual a...

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 lenses, finding within this little annual ritual a...

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.

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.

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 this and related questions, mostly attempting to...

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 this and related questions, mostly attempting to...

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

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

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.

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.

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.