Yom Kippur: The Holiday of the Oral Torah?

With Dr. Tamar Marvin

Although we think of the Yamim Noraim as marking the beginning of our year, they actually fall at the midpoint of our national timeline which begins with Pesach and continues through our commemoration of the journey through the wilderness on Sukkot. On this timeline, Yom Kippur becomes connected to Matan Torah, a process which began in Sivan and which climaxed on the 10th of Tishrei when Moshe descended with the second, less-perfect-yet-holy set of luchot. In this two-part shiur we will explore the “Matan Torah of Yom Kippur”, which many thinkers associate with the giving of the Oral Torah, and the larger theme of how renewal and creativity can be generated by brokenness and imperfection. 

Is Teshuva Both Necessary and Sufficient?

With Rav Yosef

Over two nights we’ll study the section of Massechet Yoma (85b – 86b) in which our Sages grapple with how Teshuva can transform a sinner even as it cannot undo the deeds that the sinner has committed. Through their grappling, the Sages portray Teshuva’s sublime power, and also acknowledge its limitations. In the style of Rav Yosef’s regular Gemara shiur, we’ll have time to study the Mishna and Gemara in havrutah, and then to analyze the text further as a group. Please bring a Gemara Yoma with you if you have one! 

Selichot Night

10:15 pm - “Inhabiting the Story of Tishrei”, a shiur with Rav Yosef

11:00 pm - Selichot with Josh Sharfman 

Kiddush on the Launchpad

With Rosh Hashana 30 hours away we’ll gather around tables in the Beit Midrash to refresh our memories of some of our Yamim Noraim melodies, as our Ba’alei Tefila share thoughts about the words that we are singing. And yes, Kiddush will be served!