Scholar-in-Residence
Models of Rabbinic Authority: Priests, Scribes and Prophets
Smith Family Scholar-in Residence Program
May 16 through May 18 at Beth Jacob
Our sixth annual Scholar-In-Residence program is fast approaching. We are looking forward to learning with our 2008 scholar, Professor Shaye Cohen, the Littauer Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations of Harvard University.
The subject of Professor Cohen’s teaching at Beth Jacob is how the Rabbis ended prophecy and priestly authority and assumed authority and leadership themselves. We are excited to study this historical shift in authority and leadership as we struggle with our own thoughts on authority and leadership in the world today.
Please mark your calendars for a variety of learning opportunities about rabbinic Judaism from the perspective of historians, religious studies scholars, and our own rabbis.
Suggested Reading: Look for a link in Beth Jacob’s weekly congregational e-mail for information and background reading on Dr. Cohen’s topic. For those who may have the book, Raymond P. Scheindlin’s A Short History of the Jewish People: From Legendary Times to Modern Statehood, it is suggested to read Chapter 3 (pages 51-70) entitled, “Roman Palestine and Sassanid Babylonia (70 C.E. to 632).” It includes a time line and an insert entitled “Talmud, Midrash, and Piyyut.” Hard copies of these pages will be made available at Beth Jacob.
Schedule of Events
Shabbat, April 12.
Rabbi Morris Allen is planning a text study session in services focusing on a text relevant to our scholar weekend. After Kiddush, from about 1:15 to 3:00, we have scheduled a three track learning session on the rabbinical era featuring (1) Dr. Ben Jacobs on Where Historians Disagree: What is the Rabbinic Period; (2) Rabbi Lynn Liberman on What’s Old is New – Ritual Changes to Jewish Death and Burial Customs; and (3) Dr. Alan Block on Teaching for the World to Come: Learning and the Messiah.
Shabbat May 3.
After Kiddush, from about 1:15 to 3:00 on May 3, Dr. Louis Newman will speak on “Answering to a Higher Authority: God, Torah, Israel and Rabbis in Jewish Life”
Erev Shabbat May 16 through Sunday morning May 18.
Join us for our scholar-in-residence weekend. As in past years, our weekend will include a community dinner with Professor Cohen on Erev Shabbat, two learning sessions with Professor Cohen on Shabbat, and a brunch and learning session with Professor Cohen on Sunday morning. Stay tuned for more details.