Jeroboam and the loss of inheritance [nachalah]
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In our class on Kings, we often read that such and such a king was as evil as Jeroboam son of Nebat, and/or will suffer his fate. For example, after King Ahab’s wife Jezebel has Naboth killed, and Ahab takes possession of Naboth’s vineyard, the prophet Elijah says to Ahab: Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will utterly sweep thee away, and will cut off from Ahab every manchild, and him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel. And I will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son…
March Schedule
Chaverim, Here is our upcoming schedule Weds Feb 25: Intensive on Jezebel – limited to regular class participants only Weds Mar 04: NO CLASS – join us at EC for ~~~~PURIM!!!!!~~~~ Weds Mar 11: Intensive on Jeroboam and the division of the monarchy – limited to regular class participants only Weds Mar 18: REGULAR CLASS continues – come one come all!!!! Weds Mar 25: Intensive on TBD – limited to regular class participants only Thereafter: 1st and 3rd Weds – continue REGULAR CLASSES as always 2nd and 4th Weds – Intensive study on varying topics open ONLY to regular class…
King David as Inspiration
Despite his rascally ways, King David holds his place in our tradition as a source of inspiration. Though he is shown in the book of Samuel to be a guerrilla warrior, an uncertain lover, a not entirely loyal friend, and not always a dedicated father, yet he triumphs in establishing his kingdom. The book of Kings tells us David is a model, who was loyal to YHWH. For David’s sake, Solomon and his son are allowed to hold on to the united kingdom. And in the world to come, David’s lineage will once again return. Despite the destruction of the…
List of Classes Taught is Updated
I’ve updated the list of classes I have taught and am teaching. Now preparing a workshop on the willing heart (building the mishkan vs building the Temple) as well as a series of classes exploring the way in which the Exodus story permeates the Tanakh.
Study 1 Kings with Penina on January 8, 2014
We had an amazing discussion in our class on December 18, 2013, about the Presence, corporeal or otherwise, of the Divine in the Temple. Who, or what exactly came into the Temple once Solomon built it? And was Solomon sort of Moses-like, or was he trying to cloak himself in Moses’ mantle for political reasons? On January 8, 2014, we will pick up the discussion at 1 Kings 8.43. By Jan 15 we should be up to the Queen of Sheba. I read the opening stanza from “The Visit of the Queen of Sheba” by Yehuda Amichai 12/18/13. I must…
Rosh Hashanah Speech 2013
Speech I gave as President to Congregation Eitz Chayim, Fall 2013 Welcome Thanks to Rabbi Stern, Cantor Debby Gelber, School Director Laurie Shapiro, Administrator Judy Lavine, Interim Adminstrator Dennis Friedler, the High Holy Day crew, represented by our venue coordinator, Armond Cohen, to the Board of Directors and the Committee Chairs, and many individuals whose hard work throughout the year has once again brought us to the space to celebrate the New Year together. Welcome to members and visitors who are celebrating with us. What I wanted to talk about today, is what it takes to build and sustain our…
II Sam Ch 17 – Wed April 3 – 7:30pm to 9:00pm
All are welcome, whether regular attendees or first time visitors: prior text study experience is not necessary. Absalom has his father King David on the run, across the Jordan River. Why is King David running? Who are the unsung heroic women who help King David’s spies warn him to move away from danger? Why are so many of David’s sons and nephews fighting amongst themselves? Come to class on Wednesday to find the answers to these questions, and to ask many questions for which there will be no answers! Study with Penina: 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings Now in…
Reading Ruth as a Tapestry
I am very excited to be teaching at Brookline Community Beit Midrash 5 week series between Pesach and Shavuot 4/8/13, 4/15/13, 4/22/13 (self-study on 4/29/13), 5/6/13, 5/13/13 I’m calling the series Reading Ruth as Tapestry. We will engage in a close reading of the Book of Ruth, making meaning as though we were weaving a tapestry. Our warp consists of the major themes: Ruth and Shavuot; David’s ancestors; individuals in relationship to community and the divine. Our woof contains the modes of interpretation: our own reading; the Sages; modern – including feminist, queer and traditional; woodcut art. Study will be multi level…
2 Samuel Chapter 16 – March 20
Study with Penina March 20, 7:30pm. Regularly 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings Congregation Eitz Chayim 136 Magazine Street, Cambridge The story of King David continues to be a messy family story. His sons and nephews are at odds with each other; who should get the throne is not clear. Women in this chapter will only suffer. As Samuel said in Book I: “I will call unto YHVH to send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of YHVH, in asking a king for yourselves.” (1 Sam…
II Samuel Ch 15
Join us on March 6, 2013 to read 2 Sam 15. Learn about Absalom’s attempt to usurp the kingdom from David. How is Absalom able to “steal the hearts of the men of Israel (v 6)” and manage to send David running from Jerusalem? Read how David cleverly installs five spies inside of Jerusalem, and insists that the Ark remain in the holy city, while fatally exposing his wives to abuse by leaving them behind (v. 16).