Online Weekly Talmud with Rabbi Hillel

February 12, 2020, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

You’re invited to join Rabbi Hillel’s Talmud study class on Wednesday evenings. No prior Talmud experience necessary.

This year you’ll be focusing on tractate Avodah Zarah:

This tractate deals with a fine balance: how do we remain authentic to our tradition while being respectful of others? How do we accept others rights to worship differently, without actively encouraging practices we believe to be inherently wrong? These discussions were pertinent 1500-2000 years ago when the Talmudic sages lived among Zoroastrians and Greco-Roman pagans, and are equally relevant to us today, albeit in a somewhat different way.

Existing students: Did you already purchase this volume and have it stored at Beth Jacob? Reply to this email or let Rabbi Hillel know. We will drop it off at your home for you before Wednesday.

New students: Let us know if you want us to connect you to an online version of the text.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92638201858

Or, join by phone: (647) 558 0588

Meeting ID: 926 3820 1858

IMPORTANT: Email Shira@bethjacobsynagogue.ca for the password to join. This password for computer or phone app use is the same as all Beth Jacob Zoom events.

If you are dialing in, unfortunately the password is different for each event.

CANCELLED Weekly Talmud with Rabbi Hillel: Avodah Zarah

February 12, 2020, 6:15 pm - 8:00 pm

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WE REGRET THE FEBRUARY 12TH DATE IS CANCELLED DUE TO A RABBINIC MEETING THAT EVENING IN TORONTO. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING NEXT WEEK!

Avodah Zarah (Hebrew for ‘foreign worship’, i.e. ‘idolatry’) is a tractate of the Talmud mainly containing discussions on laws for Jews living among, and peacefully interacting with Gentiles, especially idolaters. While Judaism is famously non-proselytising and very live-and-let-live, it is also sometimes viscerally opposed to polytheism and worshipping physical objects.
This tractate deals with a fine balance: how do we remain authentic to our tradition while being respectful of others? How do we accept others rights to worship differently, without actively encouraging practices we believe to be inherently wrong? These discussions were pertinent 1500-2000 years ago when the Talmudic sages lived among Zoroastrians and Greco-Roman pagans, and are equally relevant to us today, albeit in a somewhat different way.