FIVE THURSDAY MORNINGS, BUBER & LEVINAS, 11AM-NOON

Here's the Emanual Levinas essay that we'll learn together on Thursday.  Its entitled Temptation of Temptation.  I've read this essay a slew of times as well and its still nearly impossible for me.  SO A WARNING -- do not be toooo upset if it is incredibly difficult for you to follow.  I promise to unpack it, or try, on Thursday.  

If you have a question please be in touch with me.

Five Thursday mornings with Rabbi Meir

Continues Thursday, January 31, 11am

Whether we're asking life's biggest questions (why are we here, what is our purpose, the horror of evil, our mortal essence, Jewish people and place) or remembering fondly our university studies of history's most important thinkers, join Rabbi Meir in our study of Martin Buber and Emanuel Levinas.  This journey into the lives and minds of two of our greatest 20th Century, Jewish thinkers will be enriching and uplifting.  

Our study of Buber's, The Way of Man and I & Thou have been wonderful, and next Thursday, January 31, we will focus on Buber's thoughts on Zionism.  We will reflect on two essays, both of which are available on-line.

Martin Buber, Letter from Martin Buber to Mahatma Gandhi, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/BuberGandhi.html

Martin Buber, Zionism and Other National Concepts

http://www.or-zse.hu/kutat/herzl_nordau/buber_zionism.htm

Starting the following week, Thursday Feb. 7, we will begin our study of Emanuel Levinas, in his Nine Talmudic Readings.

Blessings to all,

Rabbi Meir

Five Thursday mornings with Rabbi Meir

Starting Thursday, January 10, 11am

Whether we're asking life's biggest questions (why are we here, what is our purpose, the horror of evil, our mortal essence) or remembering fondly our university studies of history's most important thinkers, join Rabbi Meir in our study of Martin Buber and Emanuel Levinas.  This journey into the lives and minds of two of our greatest 20th Century, Jewish thinkers will be enriching and uplifting.  

We will focus on the following texts, all of which are available on-line.

Martin Buber, The Way of Man (http://www.pendlehill.org/images/pamphlets/php106.pdf)

Martin Buber, Hasidism and Modern Man (The Way of Man is included in this book), http://www.amazon.com/Hasidism-Modern-Man-Martin-Buber/dp/1573924601

Emanuel Levinas, Nine Talmudic Readings, http://www.amazon.com/Nine-Talmudic-Readings-Emmanuel-Levinas/dp/0253208769

Please try to read The Way of Man (at the above link) for the first class.

Happy New Year to all,

Meir

TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 13, 7-8:30pm, 
at TEMPLE BETH-EL of GREAT NECK

Join me and Tara next Tuesday night for a lecture and conversation with Dr/Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman.  Dr. Hoffman is one of the most sought-after Jewish thinkers today.  Like Abraham Joshua Heschel, Lawrence Hoffman devotes his time to exploring life's biggest, most challenging and uplifting questions.  I absolutely promise that the 90 minutes you spend with him will be extraordinarily rewarding and worthwhile.  Please, please join us for this wonderful opportunity.  

One additional note -- Tara and I think alot about what it means to be your rabbis.  One thing we're clear about is that our job is to provide you with as many opportunities as possible that will nurture, inspire and challenge you in your life's journey.  Part of our obligation to you is to make TBE a place of truly compelling experiences, experiences that will uplift both the intellect and the soul.  We are certain that Dr. Hoffman will serve that role.  

Dr. Hoffman is a Professor of Liturgy at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where Rabbis Rudin, Davidson and Feldmans were all ordained.  In addition, he is the author and editor of many, many books.  His most recent book is One Hundred Great Jewish Books: Three Millennia of Jewish Conversation.  

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