THINK Malkhut Shel Hesed: America at 250

THINK: The Road To Jerusalem's Destruction

As we approach Tisha B'Av, our final THINK before the summer break, we focus on the background to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. exploring the critical events and ideas that were swirling around Jerusalem in the 120 years or so prior hurban habayit - the destruction of the Temple. We explore what Dr Yael Ziegler calls 'the Jerusalem myth' that sprang up in the years after Jerusalem's miraculous salvation from Assyrian attack in 701 and the role of the prophets over the course of the following century as they tried to fight against the sense that Jerusalem was invincible. In the last ten minutes there is a twist - with a mind-bending question whose consequences are hard to wrap one's head around. But you'll only appreciate this great 'what if' if you listen to the shiur prior to that point :) Source sheet here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jBkkUIP4kKoRSQoQWF_kETlktPcwGvrB5dVMVkTcVLM/edit?usp=sharing] As you are might hear on the shiur we are running our annual campaign this week - if you enjoy listening to THINK we'd love your support. The page is still open at https://upreaching.com/oujlic/jlic-tlv-campaign [https://upreaching.com/oujlic/jlic-tlv-campaign]  THINK is generously sponsored by Elaine Diller in loving memory of her parents, Michael and Sarah Marton z”l , through the Michael and Sarah Marton Family Foundation.

THINK Malkhut Shel Hesed: America at 250

The celebration of 250 years of American independence is an opportunity for us to reflect on what America has meant for the Jewish story. We look at a wide range of sources from poems to the letters of confused immigrants seeking advice to the responsa of the greatest American poskim to see what Rav Moshe Feinstein called Malkhut shel Hesed a kingdom of kindness has meant for the Jews The Bintel Brief stories are here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jDSRyLchmzHHyNcFV0j4YctB1uQo6yyckmKdIbmzko8/edit?usp=sharing]and the major sources including Rav Moshe Feinstein's letters are here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GmB2gmphKYvvjUI3l-WvdsVf1e9idIfcgYm8MTrrUN4/edit?usp=sharing] THINK is generously sponsored by Elaine Diller in loving memory of her parents, Michael and Sarah Marton z”l , through the Michael and Sarah Marton Family Foundation.

THINK Pinchas: Vayedaber Moshe

When Hashem first encourages Moshe to assume his role as leader Moshe protests, lo ish devarim anokhi - I am not a man of words. Yet in the final weeks of his life, words pour out of Moshe as he gives the people his advice and guidance for the future - elah hedevarim asher dibber Moshe - these are the words that Moshe spoke. Drawing on a beautiful essay of Avivah Zornberg, we will argue that the unlocking of Moshe's speech in his final weeks is connected to a passage and indeed a particular verse in Parshat Pinchas   Source sheet here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xnr3nsKp8aNwMDusLvlubN7clfvdJipt8lZ3DU9MP9c/edit?usp=sharing]   Dedicated by Elaine Diller in loving memory of her parents, Michael and Sarah Marton z”l , through the Michael and Sarah Marton Family Foundation.

THINK BALAK: Was Bilam A Wizard Or A Prophet?

Bilam, hired to curse, but destined to bless. What were the natures of his powers? When the gemara debates whether he was a wizard or a prophet, what is being suggested about his character? Along the way we will examine an intriguing parallel between Bilam and Avraham, and in particular a cluster of midrashim around the akeida that may have been inspired by, and an oblique commentary on, the story of Bilam, the angel and his donkey Source sheet here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BCYEh-kIuk3wlDtVgOtysY1gf2WLaIJxFUPz9AtCaX4/edit?usp=sharing] THINK is generously sponsored by Elaine Diller in loving memory of her parents, Michael and Sarah Marton z”l , through the Michael and Sarah Marton Family Foundation.

THINK: Shelach - The Story Of The Ma'apilim

In tonight's THINK we look in depth at the story of the ma'apilim, the lesser-known, lesser-studied sequel to the story of the spies - of the group who decided to risk everything to enter the land (even after God had decreed that they would die in the desert) and ended up paying the ultimate price. Our class examines this tragic and strange story - and charts how in the 19th and 20th centuries the story of the ma'apilim returned to history becoming a critical image for thinkers as diverse as Haim Nahman Bialik and Rav Yoel Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe.  Source sheet here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h5DZcxBmN4MzyLdy_iOmycO52r0OUljHau9BBkXev6U/edit?usp=sharing] THINK is dedicated by Elaine Diller in loving memory of her parents, Michael and Sarah Marton z”l , through the Michael and Sarah Marton Family Foundation. May our learning a blessing for their memories