Adult Education Program - FALL 2009
<For Archive of Handouts Click Here>

 

Mesillat Yesharim (Path of the Just)
SUNDAY 9:15-10:00 AM
Mesillat Yesharim is an ethical manual composed by the prominent Italian Jewish rabbi, kabbalist, and philosopher, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (1707-1746). The text presents ten essential character traits, how they might be acquired, and what might inhibit their acquisition. It is considered to be Luzzato's most influential work, an essential component of any Mussar curriculum.

 

Sheiltot d’Rav Achai
MONDAY 7:30-8:45 PM
Taught by Chakham Ephraim Gabbai
The Sheiltot d’Rav Achai is a collection of homilies on Jewish law and ethics compiled by the Gaon, Ahai of Sabha, sometime during the 8th century. The character of the Sheiltot is Palestinian, remarkably different from that of the Babylonian rabbis, who wrote scholastically, and is intended for thoughtful laymen. It is most probably a collection of haggadic-halakic sermons, which Ahai delivered in Palestine.

The Roots of Kashrut
TUESDAY 7:00-8:00 PM
Jewish dietary laws are numerous and rarely understood. Rabbi Bellino will systematically present these laws with special emphasis on their conceptual predicates and applications. He will begin with Hilkhot Taarovot (Laws of Forbidden Mixtures) and will continue with Hilkhot Basar bChalav (Laws of Meat and Milk), as well as the basics of Melicha (Salting). Although he will devote a considerable amount of time to theoretical discussions of legal theory, probability principles, and laws of neutralization, he will also reserve time for Halacha Lmaaseh (Practical Law).

 

Pirquei d’Rabbi Eliezer (Chapters of Rabbi Eliezer)
TUESDAY 8:00-9:00 PM
Pirquei d’Rabbi Eliezer is an aggadic-midrashic work ascribed to R. Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, and composed shortly after 833 CE. The author seems to have been a Palestinian rabbi; this appears not only from the fact that some of the customs to which he refers are known only as Palestinian customs, but also from the fact that nearly all the authorities he quotes are Palestinian. The work includes homiletical expansions upon biblical narratives, customs, as well as astrology and cosmology.

 

Thursday Night Seminars
THURSDAY 7:00-8:30 PM
Rabbi Bellino will present, for 2-3 weeks at a time, a variety of issues, including the afterlife, messiah, topics in Hasidism, topics in Jewish history of ideas, philosophy, mysticism, as well as holiday workshops.

 

Pre-Parsha Rashis
SHABBAT MORNINGS
Many of us are familiar with Rabbi Solomon Itzhaki’s (Rashi) elucidation of specific Scriptural issues (e.g., “what’s bothering Rashi?”), but Rabbi Bellino seeks a more general understanding of Rashi, presenting his technique, methodology, and the theology he conveys. Rabbi Bellino focuses on Rashi’s unique attitude toward peshat (the sensus literalis) as well as common trends within his commentary. This 10 to 15 minute class introduces our weekly Parsha.

Sefat Emet: The Hasidic Thought of Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur
SHABBAT – SEUDAH SHELISHIT
Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur was a late 19th century Hasidic master, the Rebbe of Gerer Hasidim. His Torah homilies, as delivered to his Hasidim, were arranged according to the weekly parashah and festivals and posthumously compiled under the title, Sefat Emet. Rabbi Bellino will present relevant selections of these teachings.

 

All classes use primarily Hebrew texts with English translations provided. These classes are accessible to all levels of Jewish learning and beginners are always welcome.
Classes@SixteenthStreetSynagogue.org
 

Free of charge/Beginners welcome.
(Click on 'Schedule' to confirm specific class times/dates).