The Rambam's Theology: Which Laws are the 'Foundations of Torah?'
with Laynie Soloman
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When
Tuesdays - 8 Weeks
5:00 - 6:30 pm ET
2:00 - 3:30 pm PT
Starts October 29, 2024
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What must Jews believe? Can thought, emotion, and theology be legislated? How can halakha--Jewish practice and its surrounding discourse--incorporate new, emergent theological experiences and commitments? These questions are at the heart of the Rambam's (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, also referred to as 'Maimonides') "Laws of the Foundations of the Torah" (Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah), the chapters that begin his magnum opus of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah. Written in the 12th century, this text lays out the Rambam's theological vision of true theology, and demonstrates the Rambam's attempt to bring his understanding of G!d, Torah, and the world into harmony with existing halakhic tradition. In this course, we will use this text as a guide to help us piece together a picture of the Rambam's approach to foundational beliefs that animate Jewish life and thought.
As we learn core halakhot (specific teachings) together each week, we will pay attention to what these laws teach us about the Rambam's broader project of synthesizing his own theological commitments with the tradition--even, and perhaps especially, when they appear to be in conflict--as a model for how we might do the same. Texts will be provided in Hebrew and in English translation. Our class time will include: reading primary sources from the Mishneh Torah together as a group, individual reflection, and collective meaning-making through discussion, with optional outside readings and reflection.
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This class will be recorded and available to enrolled students to watch later.
Cost
This course is available at a sliding scale cost of $359 (the true cost), $299 or $239.
If you can afford the full price, we hope you will choose that option, which allows us to continue to offer lower rates and scholarships to those who otherwise would not be able to access this learning because of financial barriers.
If you need financial aid beyond the sliding scale, please fill out this simple form, and we will get right back to you.
with Laynie Soloman
—
When
Tuesdays - 8 Weeks
5:00 - 6:30 pm ET
2:00 - 3:30 pm PT
Starts October 29, 2024
—
What must Jews believe? Can thought, emotion, and theology be legislated? How can halakha--Jewish practice and its surrounding discourse--incorporate new, emergent theological experiences and commitments? These questions are at the heart of the Rambam's (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, also referred to as 'Maimonides') "Laws of the Foundations of the Torah" (Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah), the chapters that begin his magnum opus of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah. Written in the 12th century, this text lays out the Rambam's theological vision of true theology, and demonstrates the Rambam's attempt to bring his understanding of G!d, Torah, and the world into harmony with existing halakhic tradition. In this course, we will use this text as a guide to help us piece together a picture of the Rambam's approach to foundational beliefs that animate Jewish life and thought.
As we learn core halakhot (specific teachings) together each week, we will pay attention to what these laws teach us about the Rambam's broader project of synthesizing his own theological commitments with the tradition--even, and perhaps especially, when they appear to be in conflict--as a model for how we might do the same. Texts will be provided in Hebrew and in English translation. Our class time will include: reading primary sources from the Mishneh Torah together as a group, individual reflection, and collective meaning-making through discussion, with optional outside readings and reflection.
—
This class will be recorded and available to enrolled students to watch later.
Cost
This course is available at a sliding scale cost of $359 (the true cost), $299 or $239.
If you can afford the full price, we hope you will choose that option, which allows us to continue to offer lower rates and scholarships to those who otherwise would not be able to access this learning because of financial barriers.
If you need financial aid beyond the sliding scale, please fill out this simple form, and we will get right back to you.
with Laynie Soloman
—
When
Tuesdays - 8 Weeks
5:00 - 6:30 pm ET
2:00 - 3:30 pm PT
Starts October 29, 2024
—
What must Jews believe? Can thought, emotion, and theology be legislated? How can halakha--Jewish practice and its surrounding discourse--incorporate new, emergent theological experiences and commitments? These questions are at the heart of the Rambam's (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, also referred to as 'Maimonides') "Laws of the Foundations of the Torah" (Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah), the chapters that begin his magnum opus of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah. Written in the 12th century, this text lays out the Rambam's theological vision of true theology, and demonstrates the Rambam's attempt to bring his understanding of G!d, Torah, and the world into harmony with existing halakhic tradition. In this course, we will use this text as a guide to help us piece together a picture of the Rambam's approach to foundational beliefs that animate Jewish life and thought.
As we learn core halakhot (specific teachings) together each week, we will pay attention to what these laws teach us about the Rambam's broader project of synthesizing his own theological commitments with the tradition--even, and perhaps especially, when they appear to be in conflict--as a model for how we might do the same. Texts will be provided in Hebrew and in English translation. Our class time will include: reading primary sources from the Mishneh Torah together as a group, individual reflection, and collective meaning-making through discussion, with optional outside readings and reflection.
—
This class will be recorded and available to enrolled students to watch later.
Cost
This course is available at a sliding scale cost of $359 (the true cost), $299 or $239.
If you can afford the full price, we hope you will choose that option, which allows us to continue to offer lower rates and scholarships to those who otherwise would not be able to access this learning because of financial barriers.
If you need financial aid beyond the sliding scale, please fill out this simple form, and we will get right back to you.
Meet Laynie
Laynie Soloman (they/them) is a teacher and Torah-lover who seeks to uplift the piously irreverent, queer, and subversive spirit of rabbinic text and theology. They serve on the faculty at SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva, where they co-founded the Trans Halakha Project, which seeks to create new forms of halakhic expression shaped by trans & non-binary Jews. Laynie has studied and taught Torah for over a decade in a wide range of learning spaces, including Yeshivat Hadar, UnYeshiva, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and they are a regular contributor to Jewish Currents Parsha Commentary, alongside other projects that aim to develop emerging Torah of and for the Jewish Left. Laynie is an Ashkenazi third/fourth generation Philadelphian, and when they’re not learning Talmud, you can find Laynie reading about liberation theology, laying in their hammock, and playing with their little one, Remez.
