Alexander, Was He Great? <br>Rabbinic Criticism of Rome through Alexander Narratives

Alexander, Was He Great?
Rabbinic Criticism of Rome through Alexander Narratives

Aug 15, 2022 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video | Video Lecture

The rabbis of late antiquity did not write books of theology or political treatises. Rather, they composed stories that would draw the heart and guide the mind to communicate those ideas and practices they deemed essential to Jewish continuity and growth after the destruction of the Second Temple. To accomplish this the sages often redesigned existing literature from the surrounding culture. In “Alexander, was he great?” Ben Levy explores the ways that the rabbis of late antiquity lampooned stories of Alexander appearing in the popular Greek Alexander Romance to criticize Roman imperialism and creatively resist their rule.

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Backstage Pass: Ben, Jonah, and Henry Platt in Conversation with Abigail Pogrebin

Backstage Pass: Ben, Jonah, and Henry Platt in Conversation with Abigail Pogrebin

Jun 29, 2021 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video

Watch the recording of our conversation with Ben, Jonah, and Henry Platt as they discuss their professional achievements and aspirations as well as how their Jewish experiences and involvements have influenced their careers. The annual Henry N. and Selma S. Rapaport Memorial Lecture.

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Times of Crisis and Possibility

Times of Crisis and Possibility

Aug 10, 2020 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video | Video Lecture

A series of online classes exploring pivotal moments in the Jewish experience with JTS faculty and fellows.

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Shabbat Shuvah Torah Reading

Shabbat Shuvah Torah Reading

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Ha'azinu | Shabbat Shuvah | Vayeilekh

The Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat of Return. The Torah portion can vary depending on the timing of the calendar. Ashkenazi Jews read Hosea 14:2-10 and Joel 2:15-27, while Sephardic Jews read Hosea 14:2-10 and Micah 7:18-20. The first word of Hosea is “Shuvah” (return) and led to the naming of this Shabbat.

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Yom Kippur Torah Reading

Yom Kippur Torah Reading

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Aharei Mot | Yom Kippur

The Yom Kippur Torah portion is taken from Aharei Mot. In the morning service, the reading (Leviticus 16:1-34) describes the priestly duties on Yom Kippur and the ritual of the scapegoat. While the afternoon (18:1-30) describes forbidden relationships and marriages. The Haftarah in the morning is from Isaiah 57:14-58:14 and highlights themes of repentance and fasting. During mincha, the book of Jonah is read.

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Lighting the Darkness

Lighting the Darkness

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Hanukkah

In the northern hemisphere, we light the eighth Hanukkah candle on one of the darkest night of the year–the new moon closest to the winter solstice. These readings and videos explore the importance of increasing our light in dark times.

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In Every Age

In Every Age

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Hanukkah

The story of the military victory of the small band of Maccabee fighters over the Assyrian army is reflected through the prisms of rabbinic learning and contemporary commentary to create a modern understanding of the holiday

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The Laws of Hanukkah

The Laws of Hanukkah

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Hanukkah

Celebrating Hanukkah means publicizing the miracle–these JTS sources offer guidance in fulfilling the halakha for this holiday.

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The December Dilemma

The December Dilemma

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Hanukkah

Despite its status as a minor festival, the celebration of Hanukkah is elevated in the United States, partially due to its proximity to Christmas. These resources focus on the seasonal challenges of fitting in and the pressure to compete with the excitement of “the most wonderful time of the year.”

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Music of the Season

Music of the Season

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Hanukkah

Enjoy these ruminations and musical meditations from JTS faculty and students.

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Torah & Haftarah

Torah & Haftarah

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Hanukkah

First Day of Hanukkah (Numbers 6:22 – 8:4) Haftarah First Shabbat (Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7) Haftarah Second Shabbat (I Kings 7:40 – 50) EXPLORE MORE HANUKKAH CONTENT

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Rosh Hashanah Torah Readings

Rosh Hashanah Torah Readings

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Va'era | Vayera | Rosh Hashanah

Both of the Torah readings for Rosh Hashanah are taken from Parsha Vayera. The first day reading tracks the birth of Isaac, the exile of Hagar and the subsequent saving of Ishmael. The Akedah or Binding of Isaac is read on the second day.

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Time Capsule

Time Capsule

By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Rosh Hashanah | Yom Kippur

This page explores historical events through the lens of the JTS Torah commentaries that reflect a particular event or time. Starting in the 17th Century, sermons started reflecting not just concerns to the Jewish world, but those of the broader society in which Jews lived.[1] In looking back at the ways in which Jewish thought leaders engaged issues around 9/11, immigration, or COVID-19, consider how we continue to feel the impacts of these events and issues today and how our thinking has shifted.

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