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The last time you heard someone (or even a rabbi!) say “There’s a midrash that says…” did you wonder where they got it from? (Or if they really knew what they were talking about?) Dive into the sea of the collective Jewish imagination with this multi-level exploration of Aggadah – non-legalistic rabbinic interpretations, parables, legends, philosophical discussions, and even wild tangents and satires from the Talmud, “The” Midrashim (Bible commentaries) and other sources. Using primary sources in translation, we will explore:
• how “translation” led to interpretation, innovation, and even socio-political argumentation
• rules of interpretation in midrash halakha (legal) and midrash aggadata (non-legal) commentaries
• ethical lessons and fanciful legends about people, angels, demons, life, death, society, etc.
• parallels and connections to Muslim, Christian, and Hasidic literature: “sanctified imagination”
• how midrash can “rewrite” or update offensive, outdated or unclear text
• contemporary feminist, political, children’s and other midrashim; maybe we’ll try writing some?
No prior Hebrew language or Biblical background necessary, but helpful, inasmuch as it is the “irritant” or reason for many midrashim.
Rabbi Moshe Raphael Halfon has been in the vanguard of spiritual and musical exploration for thirty years. Reb Moshe has taught Kabbalah, meditation, and Middle Eastern dance at retreats throughout North America, Brazil and Israel. He currently serves as Jewish Chaplain at the California Institution for Women in Corona, California, where he leads a spiritual community known as “B’not Or” – Women of Light.” He has “played every position on the rabbi baseball team”: pulpit rabbi, cantor, Hillel director and chaplain, as well as a special education teacher for children.