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Rabbi Jonathan E. Blake
Приєднався 12 чер 2006
A unique perspective on Judaism and traditional texts with an emphasis on the pursuit of a life of meaning, beauty, and sanctity.
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 40
Class recorded 12/19/24.
In today's continuing study of the Jewish life-cycle, we explored the topic of Conversion. Because the Hebrew Bible does not provide us with a standard for "converting" to Judaism, but rather only alludes to "strangers" or "sojourners" who commingled with the Israelites in their settlements, and who were to be treated "like" the Israelites proper, the Rabbis sought to establish legal norms for accepting new members to the Jewish community.
These norms are linked in the Jewish imagination to the figure of Ruth, the paradigmatic "convert" whose declaration to her bereaved mother-in-law, Naomi, becomes the "formula" by which converts are welcomed into Jewish peoplehood.
Our study examined Midrash Ruth Rabbah 2:2 and Bavli, Yevamot 47a-b, where Ruth Chapter 1 is treated midrashically as a template for conversion.
View our class here: ua-cam.com/video/K0I4GoqgH3Q/v-deo.html
Happy Studying, Happy Chanukah, and Happy New Year!
Rabbi Jonathan E. Blake
In today's continuing study of the Jewish life-cycle, we explored the topic of Conversion. Because the Hebrew Bible does not provide us with a standard for "converting" to Judaism, but rather only alludes to "strangers" or "sojourners" who commingled with the Israelites in their settlements, and who were to be treated "like" the Israelites proper, the Rabbis sought to establish legal norms for accepting new members to the Jewish community.
These norms are linked in the Jewish imagination to the figure of Ruth, the paradigmatic "convert" whose declaration to her bereaved mother-in-law, Naomi, becomes the "formula" by which converts are welcomed into Jewish peoplehood.
Our study examined Midrash Ruth Rabbah 2:2 and Bavli, Yevamot 47a-b, where Ruth Chapter 1 is treated midrashically as a template for conversion.
View our class here: ua-cam.com/video/K0I4GoqgH3Q/v-deo.html
Happy Studying, Happy Chanukah, and Happy New Year!
Rabbi Jonathan E. Blake
Переглядів: 96
Відео
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 39
Переглядів 51Місяць тому
In today's session, we finished examining the way in which the Rabbis present the life-cycle milestone of "Bar Mitzvah," which, we come to see through our texts, is primarily about acknowledging a child's moral development. In our far-ranging discussion, we considered the Rabbinic claim that while a person is born with a "yetzer ha-ra," or "evil inclination," one's "yetzer ha-tov," or "good inc...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 38
Переглядів 93Місяць тому
Bar Mitzvah, continued. Today we examined "Bar Mitzvah" as a status conferred upon a Jewish youth that signifies a child reaching a state of maturity that can be observed in terms of physical, intellectual, spiritual, moral, and communal development. We engaged with the following texts: Bavli, Niddah 45b-46a Bavli, Bava Metzia 96a Pirkei Avot (Mishna Avot) 5:21 Extra-Talmudic Tractate, Masseche...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 37
Переглядів 83Місяць тому
Today, in our ongoing study of the Jewish Life-Cycle, we concluded our unit about B'rit Milah (covenantal circumcision) by learning Bereshit Rabbah 46, a midrash about how circumcision "perfects" the man, as well as Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed (Moreh Nevukhim), which comments extensively on the "rational" and "moral" reasons for circumcising (namely, to reduce libido and encourage sexua...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 36
Переглядів 822 місяці тому
Congratulations, Mavens, on making it to our 36th "Double Chai" Shiur (lesson) from the wisdom of the Babylonian Talmud. In this class we continued to explore the mitzvah of Brit Milah, the covenant of circumcision first of Jewish life-cycles, and first & foremost of all mitzvot incumbent on the Jewish People through the lens of Rabbinic teaching taken from Bavli, Shabbat, 130a. The key questio...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 35
Переглядів 552 місяці тому
Today we began our new semester of learning. Our curriculum is an exploration of the Jewish Life-Cycle, from birth to death and everything in between. Today's class dove right in with the subject of B'rit Milah, the covenant of circumcision that Judaism requires as the first mitzvah incumbent on all Jewish males, typically performed on the 8th day after birth. Grounding our Talmud study in the ...
Elul Learning 5784: Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Teshuvah, Session 4
Переглядів 713 місяці тому
For our last session of study in the month of Elul, we tackled Hilkhot Teshuvah, Chapter 2, Sections 5-8, which dive further into the levels of Teshuvah, with an emphasis on the necessity of public confession for transgressions between one person and another. View today's class here: ua-cam.com/video/tCE8eSPz_ng/v-deo.html We wish you happy and meaningful studies, and, especially, a joyous and ...
Elul Learning 5784: Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Teshuvah, Session 3
Переглядів 713 місяці тому
In our third of four sessions on Hilkhot Teshuvah, Cantor Kleinman and Rabbi Blake explore Chapter 2, sections 2-4. Foremost in our discussion is an exploration of the interplay between confession and intention in the process of Teshuvah. We also enjoyed a long digression on the subject of "idolatry" and its meaning - in biblical text, in Maimonides' framing, and today. View our class here: ua-...
Elul Learning 5784: Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Teshuvah, Session 2
Переглядів 374 місяці тому
This morning, Cantor Amanda Kleinman and Rabbi Jonathan Blake continued our class's deep dive into the Laws of Teshuvah (more at, "The Way of Return") as framed by the RaMBaM. We observed how Maimonides organizes transgressions and their attendant forms of Teshuvah (repentance/return) hierarchically, with particular attention to different categories of sin and the ways in which "true" or "compl...
Poetry for Elul: Commemorating October 7th through new poems
Переглядів 554 місяці тому
Join renowned educator and translator Dr. Rachel Korazim and Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Westchester Reform Temple as we study and contemplate new poetry composed since October 7th. This study took place on Rosh Chodesh Elul, the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul, which anticipates the Season of Awe and, this year, the first Yahrzeit of October 7th. View our class here: ua-cam.com/video/YC5nNGK...
Elul Learning 5784: Maimonides, Mishneh Torah
Переглядів 514 місяці тому
Cantor Amanda Kleinman & Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Westchester Reform Temple guide our learners through the first section of Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Teshuvah - the Laws of Repentance. This study inaugurates four weeks of learning and contemplation in anticipation of the arrival of the New Year with Rosh Ha-Shanah, beginning on October 2nd. View today's class here: ua-cam.com/video/Iu u...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 34
Переглядів 1326 місяців тому
We completed our semester of study with a close read of Bavli, Shabbat 33b-34a, which tells the famous aggadah (legend) of Rabbis Shimon bar Yochai and Elazar, who spent 12 years hiding from the Roman authorities, in a cave. When they emerge, a transformation has taken place but to what end? Our conversation leaned into the allegorical interpretive possibilities in this text, in particular how ...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 33
Переглядів 416 місяців тому
Today (June 20, 2024) we offered a "bonus shiur" to welcome summer - a favorite passage from Bavli, Chagigah 3a-b. This passage explores the deeper meaning of why we would study Torah in the first place: what constitutes meaningful Torah study, what our study says about God and the Jewish People, and how the encounter with Torah comments deeply on the "Jewish collective psyche." Enjoy watching ...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 32
Переглядів 987 місяців тому
Today we looked at a "potpourri" of texts pertaining to the Festival of Shavuot, tracking its evolution from its agricultural origins, through its Rabbinic association with the giving of Torah at Sinai, to a smattering of aggadic (midrashic/folkloric) traditions about "what really went down at Sinai." View our class here: ua-cam.com/video/3W8jKzy1UzU/v-deo.html We resume our study on June 20th ...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 31
Переглядів 547 місяців тому
Today's class was dedicated to the theme of public mourning in Jewish life. We are presently in the season of the Omer, a 7-week period of "semi-mourning" when we refrain from public celebrations. In order to understand this custom, we looked at Gemara (of course)! Bavli, Yevamot 62b illuminates the traditional reasons for associating the Omer with sadness. Also recognizing that this past week ...
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 30
Переглядів 1598 місяців тому
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 30
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 28
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 28
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 28
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 28
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 27
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 27
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 26
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 26
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 25
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 25
WRT Solidarity & Relief Mission to Israel March 17-22 2024
Переглядів 13811 місяців тому
WRT Solidarity & Relief Mission to Israel March 17-22 2024
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 24
Переглядів 44Рік тому
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 24
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 23
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 23
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 22
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 22
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 21
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 21
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 20
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 20
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 19
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Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 19
WRT Israel Emergency Response: Conversation with Rabbi Nir Barkin, Kehillat Yozma, Modiin, Israel
Переглядів 80Рік тому
WRT Israel Emergency Response: Conversation with Rabbi Nir Barkin, Kehillat Yozma, Modiin, Israel
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 18
Переглядів 156Рік тому
Talmud: The Building Blocks of Jewish Life, Session 18
Thomas Jefferson would have been very proud to see that slavery had ended, and so would a lot of the other founding fathers that did own slaves because a lot of them inherited them, but were abolitionists. If you actually do the research into the founding of the US you'll understand that the constitution and bill of rights were not confirmed until much later because they were being held hostage by a few states that wanted to continue slavery. The biggest reason why people like Thomas Jefferson were willing to make the concession of keeping slavery is because they believed that eventually, they would be able to abolish slavery in their lifetime. Slavery was already proving less and less profitable. Unfortunately, the invention of the cotton gin in 1806 made slavery more profitable. Due to that circumstance, Thomas Jefferson and the other abolishtiinist founding fathers did not see the abolition of slavery their lifetimes like they had hoped.
I'm glad I found your videos. They are truly informative and I appreciate your points of view. I have to say that I do strongly disagree with a lot of the points made in this video. The oral torah was passed down before it was written. Making the assertion that they just made it up in the 4th century and that it didn't originate from temple times is a claim made because of your own hangups. Anyone who has paid attention to what the desegregation of men and women has done to society with the hook up culture understands that the segregation was important. However men and women who are married should be able to sit together with their children under the age of fourteen. That means that there should be three separate areas for men and women to sit together and apart depending on your marital status. That being said that doesn't mean that women should not be able to study Torah. The comment made about the fact that women are only good for raising children is incorrect and is hyperbolic inference. Men are supposed to serve Heshem first and their family second. Women are supposed to serve family first and Heshem second. Yes the rabbis did not get it correct but they also didn't get it completely wrong. The difference between man and woman is to do with priorities.
Can we talk about Talmud Yoma 39b in which from 30AD till 70AD all sacrifices in the temple where refused? Let's talk about what happened in 30AD and how that could lead to the destruction of the Temple and the dispersion of the Jews until the "end times"...what does that actually mean?
Ibf is ?
Damn Goliath
Today empire against Israel is islam the truth
Talmud is theology
In the U.S and Europe most of the Hassidic Jews work for a living, as encouraged by their Rabbis. It is the "yeshivish" community that "sits" in Kollels and "learns" to the exclusion of everything else, also encouraged by their rabbis and tradition. I don't know if and how this applies in Israel, as Haredi is not a term used in the diaspora.
Excellent Drash
Just discovered this. Beautiful! Thank you everyone!
sadly the video cuts off mid sentence
Your video is very beautiful. I like it a lot. I have been trying to talk to you for a long time. I am waiting for your response. Please give me a chance to talk to you. I am a professional digital marketer and UA-cam marketing expert.❤️
God is love
Talmud is profoundly evil, it was a oral tradition for a reason, you don't write down such things. It basically turns Torah on it's head and comes out of Babylon.
I appreciate your honesty. Thank you for taking the time to share. God bless you, dear friend! ~ Teresa
I don't know if you're going to read this Rabbi but, I wanted to say I have gotten this far so far in your videos about Talmud. Your instruction and commentary as a non-jew myself, but learning has really been helpful. Thanks!
Interesting Torah study. Isaiah 43:1-9. (CJB) "But now this is what Adonai says, he who created you, Ya‘akov, he who formed you, Isra’el: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I am calling you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through water, I will be with you; when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched - the flame will not burn you. For I am Adonai, your God, the Holy One of Isra’el, your Savior - I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and S’va for you. Because I regard you as valued and honored, and because I love you. For you I will give people, nations in exchange for your life. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your descendants from the east, and I will gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who bears my name, whom I created for my glory - I formed him, yes, I made him.’” Bring forward the people who are blind but have eyes, also the deaf who have ears. All the nations are gathered together, and the peoples are assembled. Who among them can proclaim this and reveal what happened in the past? Let them bring their witnesses to justify themselves, so that others, on hearing, can say, “That’s true.”...
Proverbs 6:20-24. Complete Jewish Bible. "My son, obey your father’s command, and don’t abandon your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart, tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you wake up, they will talk with you. For the mitzvah is a lamp, Torah is light, and reproofs that discipline are the way to life. They keep you from an evil woman, from a loose woman’s seductive tongue." Application: "If you want to know exactly how the Torah will chasten you, it will curb your lust. For the women from the wrong side of the tracks. Study Torah, there is one practical benefit for you.” Good point, well said.
3:51. 4:13
I am not Jewish but I have a love of Jewish music. What you have done here is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world.
A beautiful and inspiring message. Thank you for always bringing warmth, wisdom, and hope to our world. Safe home! xx
That was beautiful and very meaningful. We appreciate all that you and your colleagues are doing.
❤️🩹🧡💔🙏🏻😘🧡❤️🩹Travel safe and Godspeed.
🇺🇦🧡🙏🏻❤️🩹💔❤️🩹🙏🏻🧡🇺🇦 Travel safe and thank you.
Thank you, rabbi Blake. I loved the inclusive intro, the universal message and even the background picture of the coat of many colours consistent with this week’s parsha. Brachot to you and your loved ones, and hopefully, by now your injury is only a distant memory.
This is exquisite. Thank you for sharing it to the world. I'd really appreciate the mando's chord chart for this!
Thank you!
I really needed to hear this lovely prayer by familiar voices and faces during this time of isolation!
Thank you so much. This is so lovely.
Thank you, Rabbi!
Thank you so much Rabbi. very inspirig
Thanks for the words; they fill my heart with hope :) And the question is now, how do you do that? How do you reach constancy?
AWESOME WORD, Bro. thanks
What a wonderful teaching; thank you, Rabbi Blake.
Experience, knowledge, medical science and psychology are far more modern and clear ways to understand how humans are interdependent and inner connected. Experience is a clear cut reminder of how our communication, actions and physical health impacts those we are surrounded by. It does not require interpretation, but only observation, critical thinking, and problem solving. Having to interpret old writings that are contradictory and unclear in order to give guidance creates many limitations.
Psychology and sociology teach us that humans, like animals and all life, are interdependent of each other. We must be moral, good people out of a simple regard for human dignity and interdependence. Humans are more than capable of creating and fixing their own problems without the need for a deity. We are doomed to free will because we are responsible for what we do, and as long as human will exists, a deity's will is subject to frustration.
Exodus & Deut. give contradicting detail on the Ark's purpose, who built it and how it was made. Exodus says it was ornate & made by a craftsman, while Deut. tells us it was a wooden box made by Moses. The cherubim on the ornate box, like the serpent staff that god told Moses to make violated the commandment of graven idols. Ironically, they both become worshiped idols of the Hebrews. The Ark is given several names; while Exodus says it was a symbol of God, Deut. says it just held the laws.
I arrived at the page via Tara Stiles, and I'm so glad I did. That was wonderfully poignant and reminds me how important mindfulness is in one's life. A life that thrives is one that is aware of the here and now, but how difficult that is when we get caught up in this hectic world. It is nice to just be still and know He is G-d.
Here I am, 13 years later, and I just shared this teaching with a friend. ❤
Wow! Thanks so much! Great to see you here. By the way, lots of new content on the channel which I hope you'll check out. :). RJB
love this! BE HERE NOW! Wherever you go. . there you are. Such a challenge. Lots of people are reminding me to enjoy what's going on in my life right now. You just reminded me to be in the present instead of thinking of each next moment. Coming back to my breath. Preach it Rabbi Blake! More videos!
dude ! you are great thank you that's really helped me with my bar mitsva because thats my parasha (i live in israel)