The Song of Songs has become the quintessential language of love poetry in Jewish culture. As much as Rabbinic sources want to keep this canonical book in an allegorical box (referring only to the love between God and the Jewish People), the imagery and words of the book have been employed in a variety of other uses in Jewish tradition and ritual, including some rather unexpected places. We will study selected passages together, addressing the unusual connections between love and death. (T)
This session will explore the Akedah as it presents the love of a father for a son and the effort it takes for a parent to let go of his or her child. The Akedah will be juxtaposed to the story of Oedipus from Greek tradition which has the son unconsciously overcoming his father instead of the father consciously letting go of his son. Discussion will focus on the Genesis text as it relates the tensions between love for one's child, love for God (or one's heritage), and the moral necessity that the child make his or her own decisions.
An exploration of the laws, lore and art of the Eruv. An eruv is often a critical component of a Jewish community. Using examples from the various chicago Eruvs we will explore what makes an Eruv and how an eruv makes a community.
