Talmud Tales

Course Overview

Lesson 1

Whale of a Tale: Life Lessons from Gargantuan Fish, Geese, and Corpses

An island turns out to be the back of a mammoth sea creature, oceanic waves rise miles high, and an encounter with the "dead of the wilderness:" Rabbah bar bar Chanah's strange parables hold the secret to Jewish survival and offer powerful tips on how to rise above life's challenges.

Lesson 2

When G-d Prayed: A Study in the Art of Anthropomorphism

G-d prayed, sinned, and even requested a blessing from a human being. Talmudic anthropomorphisms highlight the importance of vulnerability in relationships and how being vulnerable shapes the character and essence of our relationship with G-d.

Lesson 3

The Vindication of an Idolatrous King: Seeing the Divine within Everything

The lessons of a vinegar-fueled lamp; singing toddlers; and a tale of a king, a sage, and a dream affect how we judge others and help us to find purpose in our nation's exile and within all that transpires in our lives.

Lesson 4

Greek Riddles: A Camouflaged Theological Debate

A snake's gestation period, a butcher's head for sale, and how to mend a broken millstone are just a few of the paradoxical riddles in a battle of wits between Jewish and Athenian sages, presenting profound intellectual challenges to the fundamentals of our faith.

Lesson 5

The Great Oven Debacle: When the Rabbis Overruled a Heavenly Decision

After exhausting his arguments, Rabbi Eliezer makes a carob tree jump, reverses a stream of water, crumbles the walls of the study hall, and evokes a heavenly voice, all to make a point. What is so important about Rabbi Eliezer's message? How is it relevant to us today?

Lesson 6

A Ticket to Paradise: The Security of Stagnation and the Challenge of Change

How can a small donation surpass a lifetime of life-risking devotion? Illogical rates at a"rent-a-donkey" location and a royal dispute about sheep and goats teach us the dangers of stagnation and suggest a path to radical growth.