Rosh HaShanah, through Yom Kippur, are viewed as a time when the Gates of Rahamim, Mercy, are particularly receptive - an Et shaareh ratson. We will look at several central piyytim that develop this theme, and that introduce the Shofar and prayers of the day.

Throughout the month of Elul, Jewish communities rise early for Selihot, whose words and melodies serve to awaken us to teshuva (repentance) and Seliha (forgiveness). We will study the text and themes of several Selihot piyyutim together, including the opening piyyut "Ben Adam Mah Lekha Nirdam" ("Human Being, Why do you Slumber?")

The Jewish tradition is rife with answers to this and related questions, mostly attempting to complicate the meaning of “fear” (maybe it really means “reverence?”). In this 2-part class, instead of trying to redefine “fear,” we will seek to redeem it, uncovering a deeper understanding of fear’s place in human nature and flourishing. Each session will begin with classical texts from the Western tradition of Political Philosophy, which will provide a new understanding of the role fear plays in human life. We will then use these new understandings to gain new appreciation of a host of classical Jewish texts—from the Hebrew Bible to the modern era—and see how fear (in its simplest sense) can pave the way to freedom, religiosity, and a life of principle (and political radicalism, if that’s your thing).

This Yom Iyyun was presented in memory of Dr. Charles Feldman.

In this final session we will explore the Yom Kippur Avodah liturgy. In Temple times, the High Priest's actions were the focal point of the day. This session will look at how our liturgy calls upon each of us to become the High Priest today.

In this class we turn to Sukkot and the debate regarding whether the construction of the sukkah itself must be done for the purpose of the mitzvah.We will see how the underpinnings of this talmudic discussion are reflected in discussions of brit milah as well. 

In this session we will learn the basic halakhot of the sounds (Ashkenazic style, as was done at the Drisha Minyan). Timing and counting, and when one is required to repeat. The session will end with another “Shofar-Out” and everyone will be encouraged to continue their progress as Shofar blowers.  Bringing Mashiach is hard work!

If, after a long day in shul on Rosh Hashana, my mind is wandering during shofar blowing, do I have to hear it again? Can the pergola in my backyard be my sukkah? In this three part lecture series, we will explore how intention factors into the mitzvot central to Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. 

In this first class, we will explore the talmudic debate as to whether one must have kavannah when sounding and hearing the shofar, and how this relates to the broader question of Mizvot Zerikhot Kavannah (do rituals need to be performed with intention) and how the rishonim and aharonim weighed in on this debate and decide the halakhah. 

This series will focus on core pieces of the Selichot, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur liturgies. Specifically, we will explore the roles that our liturgy asks us to step into on these days and at these key moments.

This class aims to enrich participants' experiences of these special tefillot, particularly in a year where many will be praying at home or in truncated synagogue services.

Session 1, we will explore the Thirteen Middot, the liturgical backbone of Selichot. As we look at the Torah texts that the Selichot draw upon and interpretations of those texts in the Talmud Bavli and commentators, we will dive head-first into the moment the Thirteen Middot were revealed and discuss how to reenact that moment as we step into the role of Moshe in our recitation of Selichot.

In addition to delineating the technical process of repentance, Jewish literature has also explored the emotions that are supposed to accompany this process. In this class we will trace The Emotions of Repentance from the medieval authorities (Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah) through the great twentieth century thinkers, Rabbi Soloveitchik, Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Studying this topic comparatively will highlight the continuities and ruptures between the medieval and modern perspectives as well as the unique approaches of these three innovative and influential leaders.

Covered in this session: Rav Kook advised against embracing the traditional range of emotions associated with repentance in earlier Jewish literature.  This class will analyze the rationale for this conscious departure and the new texture of repentance for which Rav Kook advocated.

Yom Kippur is literally "the Day of Atonement." But how does that atonement come about: Is it dependent on the bringing of Korbanot? Does Yom Kippur still atone today? Need one observe the day of Yom Kippur in order to achieve atonement? What does this process of atonement tell us about the holiest day of the year?

This series examines a variety of sources in classic rabbinic literature, examining the issue from a variety of perspectives.

This shiur will treat the question, discussed in Yoma 85b-86a, of whether Yom Kippur atones by itself or only when accompanied by repentance. This essential question, interpreted in a variety of ways by the Rishonim, has major ramifications for how to understand the Day of Yom Kippur overall.

In this session Rabbi Silver shares his personal story of trying to blow the Shofar, and of ultimately B”H “getting it.” The biggest challenge most first-time Shofar blowers must overcome is their own sense of awkwardness. Rabbi Silver will lead a mass “Shofar-Out,” encouraging everyone to experience for themselves the feel of their own Shofar. Then we will work on basics of technique: embouchure (lip position), stance, and breathing. 

In addition to delineating the technical process of repentance, Jewish literature has also explored the emotions that are supposed to accompany this process. In this class we will trace The Emotions of Repentance from the medieval authorities (Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah) through the great twentieth century thinkers, Rabbi Soloveitchik, Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

In this session we will explore Rav Soloveitchik’s painful but empowering approach to the emotions of repentance and contextualize it within the broader project of his thought.

In addition to delineating the technical process of repentance, Jewish literature has also explored the emotions that are supposed to accompany this process. In this class we will trace The Emotions of Repentance from the medieval authorities (Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah) through the great twentieth century thinkers, Rabbi Soloveitchik, Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Studying this topic comparatively will highlight the continuities and ruptures between the medieval and modern perspectives as well as the unique approaches of these three innovative and influential leaders.

Part 1: Introducing the range of emotions possibly associated with repentance.  We will then focus on Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah and see how these texts were understood and experienced in traditional yeshivot. This will create a baseline to better appreciate the continuity and ruptures of 20th century Jewish thought.

In this session, we’ll examine stories that grapple with Roman power and violence to explore how they imagine divine presence amidst pain, how they invite us to consider God not as one who stands apart, but one who suffers with.

Our texts will span the ages from Philo through the Talmud and Midrash, all the way to contemporary Jewish thinkers. Our discussions will shed new light on modern critiques of traditional belief from Biblical scholarship to archaeology.

Our texts will span the ages from Philo through the Talmud and Midrash, all the way to contemporary Jewish thinkers. Our discussions will shed new light on modern critiques of traditional belief from Biblical scholarship to archaeology.

Rabbi Silber discusses the poem about the 10 martyrs,  ארזי הלבנון אדירי התורה

Yom Kippur, part 6: 13 Middot: Today's podcast analyzes the context and content of the 13 Middot and reflects on the placement of Yom Kippur in the cycle of the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur, part 5: Neilah: Today's podcast explores the tefilla of Neilah and its role as the culmination of the Yom Kippur service.

Yom Kippur, part 4: Avodah: Today's podcast explores the structure and themes of the avodah  service, and its vivid description of the sacrificial ritual in the Bet Hamikdash.

Yom Kippur, part 3: Torah Reading of Yom Kippur: Today's podcast explores the Torah and Haftarah readings of Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur, part 2: Structure of Mussaf: Today's podcast explores the structure of the Yom Kippur mussaf.

Yom Kippur, part 1: Understanding Kol Nidrei: Today's podcast explores the power of the individual to engage in self-transformation.

Rosh Hashanah, part 6: Kriat haTorah: Today's podcast discusses the narratives of Genesis chapters 21 and 22, and explores the idea of God intervening in human affairs.

Rosh Hashanah 5: The Duality of the Shofar: In today's podcast, two different aspects of shofar are explored; the joy that accompanies proclaiming God as king and the hesitations and doubts that are an inherent part of being judged

Rosh Hashanah, part 4: Revelation and Transformation: Today's podcast discusses the blessing of Shofarot and the symbolism and transformation of the shofar as it moves from the past to the present and future.

osh Hashanah, part 3: Providence and Covenant, Remembering the Binding of Isaac: Today's podcast discusses the second part of the blessing of Zichronot with covenant as its dominant theme. In this section, the account of the binding of Isaac is presented as the moment of discovery of sacred space and the climax of God's creative activity.

Rosh Hashanah, part 2: Judgment and Accountability: Today's podcast discusses the first part of the blessing of Zichronot and explores the motif of God as judge who engages in both collective and individual judgment of all created beings

Rosh Hashanah, part 1: Rosh Hashanah and the Coronation of God: Today's podcast explores the blessing of Malchuyot and its connection to the nature of Rosh Hashanah as a day designated for God.

Selichot, part 2: El Erech Apayim–the Long Suffering God and El Melech Yoshev Al Kisei Rachamim–God Who Sits on a Throne of Mercy: Today’s podcast discusses the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy in the story of the Golden Calf and in the story of the spies, as contexts to understand the nature of selichot.

Selichot, part 1: Lishmoa El HaRina VeEl HaTefilla–Supplication and Prayer: Today’s podcast explores the structure and timing of selichot and analyzes BeMotza’ei Menucha, the piyut recited on the first night of selichot.

The Broken Sounds of the Shofar with Rabbi Jeff Fox

The Binder, The Bound, and the Altar: The Akeidah in High Holiday Liturgy with David Silber

When  Bad Things Happen to Good Biblical Characters: The Opposing Cases of Abraham and Job with Judy Klitsner