Shavuot 2021 Tikkun Leil Program
This year's Tikkun Leil Shavuot is in two parts. Part 1 will be held Sunday evening, May 16, starting at 10 PM featuring two talks, one by Sandy Kress and one by Adam Sales. Part 2 on Monday afternoon at 5:30 PM features two talks by Rabbi Millner. Abstracts of these talks are shown below.
Part 1: Sunday evening , May 16
Reflections on Revelation by Levinas (10:00pm-10:55pm)
By Sandy Kress
Emmanuel Levinas was a leading philosopher and Talmudic commentator of the 20th century. A significant focus in his work is the nature of God’s revelation. Since this, too, is our focus on Shavuot, we will study a few, short pieces of his extraordinary writing on revelation. First, we will look at Levinas’ powerful take on the Talmudic account of God’s “threat” that the people choose “Torah or death.” Next, we will look at Levinas’ interesting take that the Torah is concentrated in the single mitzvah, “thou shalt not kill.” Third, we will look at Levinas’ view that “God’s reign depends on me.” Finally, we will look at a text in which Levinas expands on Rosenzweig’s explanation of creation, revelation, and redemption. We will focus on his idea that revelation is largely about God’s going-forward-to-man in love to lead man to turn to each other in love to help effect a future redemption.
Study and Work, Elitism and Spiritual Value: An Ancient and Modern Debate (11:00pm-12:00am)
By Adam Sales
In this session, we will study two Talmudic passages--the debate between Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai about the place of work in the ideal Jewish life, and the story of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's twelve years in a cave--and trace the evolution of that debate in Rabbinic sources up to the 20th century.
Part 2: Monday Afternon, May 17
Can Jews Study Greek Mythology? (5:30pm-6:25pm)
By Rabbi Dan Millner
So much of Western society is based on the mythology of the ancient Greeks - its motifs and characters. Everything from modern psychological complexes and scientific terminology, to architecture, literature, sports and even political theories find their origin in Greek mythology and culture. However, is it permitted for a Jew to study Greek mythology? Does the Torah permit such a thing? In this shiur, we will dive headfirst into the heart of this question and unpack several of the most salient issues. There is no doubt that the Sages of the Talmud knew these myths, at least on a superficial level. After all, Romulus and Remus are mentioned by name in the Midrash. The story of Narcissus is recorded in various ways in both the Midrash and the Mishne, and even the ways in which these gods were venerated are noted in great detail in the Talmud. Yet, can we learn these things? Come and see how Rav Moshe Feinstein z’’l handled this question, and find out for yourself what Jews can gain and lose from studying Greek mythology.
Megillat Ruth: Blessings, Yom Tov Sheini and the Bigger Picture (6:30pm-7:30pm)
By Rabbi Dan Millner
Why do we read Megillat Ruth on Shavuot? Why do we read it on the second day of Yom Tov? How do we treat this particular Megillah? Should we recite a blessing over it, as we do Megillat Esther, or not? What big picture lessons can we learn from that fact that Ruth is read during this time? In this shiur, we will explore these questions and more – looking at them from both a halakhic and a hashkafic angle. By the end of this shiur, you will go away with a deeper connection to Ruth, her story, and its incredible relationship to the time of the giving of our Torah.
Mon, April 29 2024
21 Nisan 5784
