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Talmud Shiurim

• Beginners Talmud
  Day and time TBA, taught by Rabbi Wolkenfeld.
  For centuries, the study of Talmud has been at the heart of Jewish spiritual and intellectual life. This weekly class is designed to give those with little or no prior exposure to Talmud study an introduction to talmudic logic, legal reasoning, and hermeneutics. All texts will be provided in English translation as well as in the Hebrew/Aramaic original.
  
  
• Advanced Talmud
  Day and time TBA, taught by Rabbi Wolkenfeld.
  This weekly class will focus on the third chapter of Massechet Beitzah and will delve into the conceptual and halakhic themes raised in the chapter. Among the topics that will be examined are the concept of "muktzah," the differences between Shabbat and Yom Tov, and the mitzvah of rebuke. This class is intended for those with the capability and intention of devoting 1-3 hours of preparation time each week. Those interested in attending the Advanced Talmud shiur, but who are unsure of their ability to prepare independently, are encouraged to speak to either David or Sara Wolkenfeld, who are eager to prepare individually with anyone who wishes to attend the Advanced Talmud shiur.
  
  

Weekly Classes

• Lunch and Learn: Topics in History and Philosophy of Halakhah
  Wednesdays at lunch, taught by Rabbi Wolkenfeld in the fall, Sara Wolkenfeld in the spring.
  As we enjoy lunch at the CJL, we will explore the historical development of topics in Jewish law. We will also dedicate class time to exploring the broader implications of that history. In addition, we will study topics in the philosophy of halakhah and examine perspectives on those topics from the great thinkers of Jewish history. Sample topics could include: "The Priestly Blessing (BirkatKohanim) and the Soldier Priest," "Shabbat Observance, from Mt. Sinai to the Umbrella," and "The History and Significance of Dispute (mahloket) in Jewish Thought." All texts will be provided in English translation and in the original Hebrew or Aramaic. No preparation is necessary for this class and it is intended to be accessible and interesting to participants with a a wide range of Judaic backgrounds. Lunch is free for upper classmen and grad students.



• Parashat Ha-Shavua
  Friday night in the winter, Saturday morning in the spring, taught by Rabbi and Sara Wolkenfeld.
  One of the greatest teachers of humash of the 20th century, Nehamah Leibowitz, communicated with her students via weekly mimeographed sheets (gilyonot in Hebrew) in which she posed questions on the weekly Torah portion, presented selected quotes of the great Jewish Bible commentators, and asked her students to write back to her with their own answers to her questions. Although some of her gilyonot have been published in book form, in the past six months, a website has been created to make all of her gilyonot available. Each Monday, we will publicize one of Nehamah's questions and devote Shabbat's parashah class to exploring the answers we can come up with to her question, using medieval and modern Bible commentaries as our guides. No preparation isnecessary to participate, but all are welcome to investigate possible answers to Nehamah's question in advance of the class. NOTE: This class will begin after the chagim.
  
  
• Olat Reiyah: Rav Kook on Prayer
  Day and time TBA, taught by Sara Wolkenfeld.
  Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook was perhaps the most innovative and creative Jewish thinker of the 20th century. First chief rabbi of mandatory Palestine, Rabbi Kook, (known today in Israel as "ha-rav," or "the rabbi") saw even secular Zionist pioneers as partners in God's plan for the redemption of Israel and the renewal of the world. His vision of redemption and renewal, combined with an intense personal mystical orientation inspired a vast collection of writings on every area of Jewish life and thought. Olat Re'iyah is an editted commentary to the siddur culled from Rav Kook's writings along with several introductory essays on the nature of prayer in Jewish life, and the soul's yearning to return to God. In this class, we will work our way through the prayer service and use Rabbi Kook's commentary to help us fully understand each prayer. We will engage with Rabbi Kook's ideas on an intellectual level and also seek to use his spiritual insights to deepen our own experience of prayer. This class is open to students from a wide range of Judaic backgrounds, and to those who pray on a regular basis as well as those who do not. Dinner is free for upper classmen and grad students. NOTE: This class will begin after the chagim..

One-time Classes

• Introduction to Halakhic Life on Campus
  Day and time TBA, taught by Sara Wolkenfeld.
  A (very) brief introduction to some of the halakhic challenges and opportunities that are relevant to college life. This presentation, planned with first year students in mind, is intended to introduce some of the major areas of halakhic importance that might not have been relevant to pre-college life (e.g. life without an eruv, mezuzah and a gentile roomate, etc.).
  

Other Programs and Resources

• One-on-One Learning
  The Wolkenfelds are happy to learn one-on-one with you, in preparation for the Talmud shiurim or on a special topic of your choice--or if you're unsure of what you want to be studying, they can suggest a topic. The JLI office is on the second fl oor of the CJL--feel free to drop in to set up a time to learn. Or, email them: Rabbi Wolkenfeld's email is dwolkenf@princeton.edu and Sara's is wsara@princeton.edu.
  
  
• Mishmar
  Thursday nights, CJL Library. Pizza and drinks accompany an hour of informal learning, alone or in small groups. It's easy tofind someone to learn with even without making plans ahead of time, and students of all skill levelsand backgrounds are encouraged to attend.



• Online Resources
  
  
  • www.vbm-torah.org. This website, run by the yeshiva Gush, is an online compendium of audio and text shiurim in a range of topics. This might be just the thing for those of you who don't have time to fit in real-life shiurim in your busy schedules.
    
    
  • www.webyeshiva.org A new website founded by Rabbi Chaim Brovender that offers yeshiva-style classes over the internet at an affordable price. Contact Rabbi Wolkenfeld for more information (he knows all of the teachers there).