Queer Talmud for Beginner’s Mind: Shifting Our Moral Compass

Taught by Julie Batz

Tuesdays, Feb. 14-May 2 | 7:00-9:00 PM ET | 6:00-8:00 PM CT | 4:00-6:00 PM PT | 10 sessions | Off for Purim on March 7 and Pesach on April 11.

When does our moral compass lead us to overturn Torah? In this fundamental SVARA sugya (Talmudic text), we’ll immerse ourselves in the long and winding Rabbinic discourse about saving a life at all costs.  We’ll dive into the dialogues that challenged the status quo and, over time, became core principles in the Judaism we understand today.

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) 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!