May 17 - 21, 2020 | 190 Amsterdam Ave.
Program Information
Hadar’s Halakhah Intensive is a multi-day learning seminar that will focus on the in-depth study of a targeted area of halakhah. Participants will spend full days immersed in learning sources in the original, as we begin with the Tanakh and the classical sources of Hazal and take their lessons forward to contemporary application. Led by Rabbi Ethan Tucker and Rabbi Aviva Richman of Hadar and Rabbi Micha'el Rosenberg of Hebrew College, Hadar’s stellar faculty will guide this week of intense learning. Bring your deep interest in halakhah and your thirst for more knowledge.
This Intensive is designed for learners who have had prior exposure to Jewish texts and have studied Halakhic sources before. It is an excellent resource for rabbis, rabbinical students, graduate students, or anyone else looking to expand their understanding of the Halakhic process.
Hadar is excited and proud to partner with Hebrew College for the 2020 Halakhah Intensive.
2020 Topic
החשוד לדבר איסור: The Usual Suspects? Trust, Reliability, and Suspicion in the Halakhic Tradition
Religious beliefs and practices often carry the implicit assumption of trust - trust that we take our own commitments seriously and trust that others will respect our boundaries. Encounters between Jews of disparate beliefs and practices lay these assumptions bare and carry the potential to yield great insight and relationship, or acute strain.
This year’s Intensive will focus on the topic of דיני חשוד and probe the Halakhic tradition’s notions of trust, reliability, and suspicion. In studying the intricacies of the Halakhic sources, we hope to gain a greater self-awareness of how our assumptions and suspicions affect our own religious identities and relationships.
We will particularly explore different scenarios where Jews have reason to rely on or be wary of one another and try to answer such questions as:
- When are we permitted to temporarily accommodate someone else’s terms and when do we need deeper alignment?
- Is the integrity of an observant Jew compromised by exposure to non-observance and vice versa?
- Does Halakhah equate the rejection of a single commandment with apostasy of the whole Torah?
- How does a person’s broader character affect their trustworthiness with regard to specific areas of Jewish law?
Sample Schedule
See our 2018 schedule below for a taste of the type of programming offered during this Intensive
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it for me?
- This Intensive is designed for learners who have had prior exposure to Jewish texts and have studied Halakhic sources before. It is an excellent resource for rabbis, rabbinical students, graduate students, or anyone else looking to expand and deepen their understanding of the Halakhic process.
- Where and when is it?
- The 2020 Halakhah Intensive will take place May 17-21, 2020 at Hadar’s Yeshivah, 190 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY.
- How are the days structured?
- The learning at this Intensive will be primarily focused around guided, partnered (havruta) study around the theme of "The Usual Suspects? Trust, Reliability, and Suspicion in the Halakhic Tradition" (See Theme tab for complete description). The days will consist of multiple Seder segments of this kind followed by Shiur with Hadar faculty. Our learning will also include opportunities to approach the week’s topic from various other angles.
- How much does it cost and what’s included?
- The early bird rate for this program is $450 per person and $200 for students if you sign up before April 1, 2020. After April 1, the cost for the program will increase to $525 and $250 for students. Registration includes access to the full range of programming, breakfast and lunch during each day of the Intensive, and two dinners.
- Are scholarships available?
- We have limited need-based scholarships available. Please click here to apply for a scholarship.
- How can I find out more?
- We’d love to tell you more about this program! Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
Faculty
Rabbi Ethan Tucker
Rabbi Ethan Tucker is President and Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar and chair in Jewish Law. Ethan also directs Hadar’s Center for Jewish Law and Values. Ethan was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and earned a doctorate in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Harvard College. A Wexner Graduate Fellow, he was a co-founder of Kehilat Hadar and a winner of the first Grinspoon Foundation Social Entrepreneur Fellowship. He serves on the board of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Ramaz School. He is the author, along with Rabbi Micha'el Rosenberg, of Gender Equality and Prayer in Jewish Law (2017).
Rabbi Aviva Richman
Rabbi Aviva Richman is a faculty member at Yeshivat Hadar, and directs the Manger Winter Learning Seminar. Aviva has taught at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, and is a past Rosh Kollel of the Bet Midrash at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. She has also taught at the National Havurah Institute. She studied in the Pardes Kollel and the Drisha Scholars' Circle and was ordained by a private teacher. Particular interests include Halakhah, gender and sexuality in Judaism and niggunim. A Wexner fellow, Aviva is currently pursuing a doctorate in Rabbinics at NYU.
Hadar is excited to welcome Rabbi Micha'el Rosenberg from Hebrew College as guest faculty for the 2020 Halakhah Intensive:
Partners
