Queer Talmud for Beginner’s Mind: Reclaiming Prophecy

Taught by Laynie Soloman

Mondays, Feb. 13-May 1 | 8:00-10:00 PM ET | 7:00-9:00 PM CT | 5:00-7:00 PM PT | 10 sessions | Off for Purim on March 6th and Pesach on April 10

After the destruction of the Temple, the Rabbis created a new form of Judaism that was both continuous with the past and radically reimagined (at SVARA, we call this “going Option 3”). What is the role of “prophecy” in the Rabbis’ Option 3 world? Let’s follow the Rabbis as they glitter up the idea of divine inspiration and create new ways of revealing sacred wisdom!

This course is specifically designed for folks who are new(er) to SVARA’s approach to Talmud and want to learn in a warm, supportive, and queer-normative space. We’ll study a section of the Talmud in the original language with a focus on skill-building, the radical nature of the Jewish tradition, and the cultivation of Talmud study as a spiritual practice. Each weekly session will combine chevruta learning (learning in pairs/trios) and collective unpacking of the text in shiur (full group discussion).

If you’ve never learned with SVARA before and are new to traditionally radical Talmud study, this learning experience is for you! All you need in order to participate is the ability to sound out your alef-bet, and you’ll be reading from the daf (page of Talmud) in no time! If you’re still working on your alef-bet, check out these resources to support your learning or join us for Alef-Bet Basics this fall!